Ballyhooly Henry turns in flawless display at Shelbourne Park

Ballyhooly Henry will likely go off a warm order to land next weekend’s final of the Gain Dog Food 600 following a flawless display in Saturday night’s opening semi-final at Shelbourne Park.

Trained by Tom O’Neill for the Ashville Syndicate, the prolific son of Tyrur Big Mike and Lemon Soul flew from traps and dominated from start to finish.

The 5-4 chance’s superiority was never in any danger as he strode to a wide-margin victory over Hovex Blaze, in 32.38, with leading marathon bitch Tradition in third.

There was a real upset in the second heat as 10-1 chance Shugabear Barber ran out a game winner for Gerry Barber and Derek Hatch.

The rank outsider had to battle bravely to get the early lead, but he did so, and held that advantage all the way down the back. Milldean Cougar and Notorious Ben throw down late challenges, but the leader held on grimly to beat the former by a head, in 32.83, with the latter just a length away in third.

Graham Holland took both semi-finals of the Healthcare & Transport Services Puppy Oaks, Sidarian Pearl beating kennel companion Rockburst Riva in the first of them.

The 5-4 chance turned with a clear lead, and extended it all the way to beat her companion by eight lengths, in 28.36, with Airmount Tess getting up late to take third spot.

Ballinakil Clare had to ride an early bump before justifying odds-on favouritism in the second heat.

The 4-5 chance all but matched the early dash of Holycross Leah, held her challenging position well around the opening bends, and forged ahead to the third turn.

From there she stayed on too strongly for the chasing pack, and crossed the line three and a half lengths clear of kennelmate Slippery Louise who dead-heated for that spot with Holycross Leah.

There was an open sprint final on the card and Ballymac Bigmike produced a brilliant performance.

The 2-1 chance took a flyer, raced clear to the turn, and kept on well to beat Slipalong Hero by two and a half lengths, in 18.47.

A huge crowd turned up at Curraheen Park on Saturday’s benefit night for Sarsfields Hurling Club, and the on-track feature was the final of the Hewitt College A3 550. Victory went to Jackie and Kathleen Murphy’s Carrowkeal Spike, who hit the front down the back straight, and stayed on well to deny early leader Burgess Import by a length, in 30.02.

There was a minor upset in the night’s other final, the Grandons Car Sale A3 525, as Mydogtoby edged out odds-on favourite Glaise Jet. The two had it between them from an early stage, but the Joan Cremin-trained Mydogtoby proved a neck too good, in 28.71.

Trap draw for Gain 600 final:

1. Shugabear Barber, 2. Ballyhooly Henry, 3. Tradition, 4. Milldean Cougar (m), Hovex Blaze (m), Notorious Ben (w).

Trap draw for Puppy Oaks final:

1. Holycross Leah, 2. Sidarian Pearl, 3. Ballinakil Clare, 4. Airmount Tess, 5. Rockburst Riva (w), Slippery Louise (w).