VILLAIN FASTEST WHILE KAROL SCORES A HAT TRICK IN McCALMONT CUP

VILLAIN FASTEST WHILE KAROL SCORES A HAT TRICK IN McCALMONT CUP

Ian Fortune

The 2026 Deadly Kennels McCalmont Cup got off to a flying start at Kilkenny on Friday night with many fine displays, a number of surprises and the prospect of some superb racing to come in the historic competition.

Fastest on the clock was Old Road Villain as he came home clear in Heat 5 but the performance of the night was from Karol Ramsbottom as he sent out three of the seven heat winners.

Ramsbottom had only three winners in the first eight weeks of the year but he doubled his tally in one fell swoop. It is perhaps no surprise as he normally targets the opening round of the McCalmont Cup to kick start his year.

VILLAIN QUICKEST

Old Road Villain, owned by the Sunny South East Syndicate, set the standard, however.

In what looked one of the hottest races in the opening round, the son of Droopys Flytline and Noirs Lottie was simply too sharp for the opposition. Leading from the opening yards, he went on to make all for a five and a half length victory over Chaotic Gustav in 29.26 (.40 slow). Tinahue Skylark was best of the rest in third, just a short head further back.

KAPUKA A TRUE WARRIOR

Fastest of Ramsbottom’s three winners was Sober Barry as he came home in front in 29.29 but the sight of Kapuka Warrior claiming a remarkable 29th success of his long career in Heat 6 was the clear highlight.

Remarkably, the talented son of Good News and Cruel Intentions has now won a race in 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026.

He was typically professional again, flashing from three to lead from the opening strides. Oriental Prince did all he could to pick up the leader, but was forced to check on the third turn before staying on to go down by just a head.

While Matt Dunne’s Kapuka Warrior is getting on a bit, he still had enough in his locker to stop the clock in 29.50 (rated .40 slow), completing the Ramsbottom treble. Just a length behind Oriental Prince in third was Jacktavern Storm.

BARRY TOO HOT TO HANDLE

Sober Barry was dominant in Heat 4, showing fine early speed from four to get loose into the turn.

Sean Malone’s son of Skywalker Barry and Sober Pearl quickly built a decisive lead and seemed destined to emerge an easy winner only to swing wide off the final turn.

This allowed Tetra Destiny to draw closer but Sober Barry continued to move with purpose and he hit the line three parts of a length to the good in 29.29 (.40 slow), providing Karol Ramstottom with his second winner on the card. There was four lengths to Great Morning in third.

ACE FIRST UP FOR KAROL

Lamrock Ace won the opening heat, initiating the Karol Ramsbottom hat trick.

It was his first win since the opening round of the Laurels last October but hinted that a return to his best was on the horizon. Owned by Michael and Brian Nash, the son of Ballymac Cashout and Pennys Baccata was in front throughout and hit the line two and a half lengths clear of the staying on Altesse Clifford in 29.69 (.40 slow). Imokilly Roxanne was a half-length away in third.

CERTIFICATE WINS WELL

Mary Clarke is down to just two greyhounds at present and both seem to be in tremendous form. Microchip is currently flying in the Cork Cup but his brother Certificate was flying the flag for the kennel on Friday, landing Heat 2.

Prominent from the outset, the well-bred son of Droopys Sydney and Clona Skye took charge soon after halfway before easing on to beat Burnchurch Elle in 29.44 (.40 slow). Early leader Razldazl Beau eventually finished five and a half lengths adrift in third.

WHIT WHIPS RIVALS

Carrigeen Whit produced a fine effort win Heat 3 for Thomas Buggy and Ann Patterson.

Prominent in the early exchanges, the daughter of Ballymac Best and Carrigeen Wren ran a brilliant bend to shoot her way to the front.

She would drive clear once dong so before coasting home a comfortable winner. Rockstar Willie stayed on for second but Carrigeen Whit was too good on this occasion, emerging a two and a half length winner in 29.32 (.40 slow). Playdate Storm was best of the remainder, four lengths further adrift.

BOGGER ALWAYS IN CHARGE

Once again, out front was the place to be in the final heat of the round with Bogger Tommy (Glengar Bale/ Bogger Ophelia) making all to score for Liam Peacock.

Breaking smartly from two, he would come home four lengths clear of Paulstown Cash in 29.61. Born Racer stayed on to finish just a short head away in third.