Wizard pure magic as he claims Corn Na Féile

WIZARD weaved his magic to claim Corn Na Feile at Abbeyfeale yesterday.

Owned by three years old Sean Condon from Newry, Co. Down and trained by his grandfather, the maestro himself, Brendan Matthews, Wizard defeated Glencoo Dubh, the property of brothers Noel and Michael Flaherty of Blackrock, Cork in the decider.

The white and brindle, who won his Trail Stake at Enniscorthy earlier in the season, was the long odds favourite to collect the prize and led all the way in the final to have a length to spare from a closing Glencoo Dubh, who qualified for Clonmel at Fermoy. The winner had a 2-1 majority when the hare escaped.

Despite breaking a toe in the quarter-final, Good Judge made it an excellent day for Matthews when he took the Derby Trial Stake in good style.

After falling heavily when putting out Glanmore Oscar by five lengths in the quarter-final, he had the toe frozen for his semi-final buckle against Leafy Glen and led all the way, holding on for a narrow victory in a course in which there was no turn.

In the final, with the toe again frozen, he came up against Manic Koran, the property of Morty Ahern from Templeglantine, and taking control from the start had three lengths to spare over the brindle when taking the only score in the buckle.

The Corn Na Feile All-Aged Stake, was won in good style by Mrs. Marie Field’s (Patrickswell) Kyle James, who had been successful in the Cup at Kilflynn. The white and fawn was the long odds favourite to win out, and in the final he faced the 2005 Irish Cup winner Castle Pines, owned by Patsy Byrne and trained by Pa. Fitzgerald.

The winner was best away from slips en route to a five lengths success, taking the only two turns in the course.

The Reserve Oaks Trial Stake was won in impressive fashion by trainer Padraig O’Regan and Steve Flaherty’s (Tralee and Kilflynn) Jacinta’s Joy. In the decider she came up against Neilly Nolan and Alan Leahy’s (Brosna) Reascasala Cross and was never really troubled when leading four lengths, in a short slip.

Judge: T. Reddan; Slipper: R. Quinn.

Corn na Feile (16 dog and bitch puppies)

Semi-Finals: Wizard 1l. bt Fawn Jack; Glencoo Dubh 1l. bt Doonard Rahela.

Final: Mrs. M. Joy ns. S. Condon’s (Newry) w.bd.d. Wizard (Multubet-Carrick Sam) 1l. bt T. Mann ns. M. & N. Flaherty’s (Cork) bk.d. Glencoo Dubh (Judicial Affair-Cois Beauty).

Corn na Feile All-Aged Dog Stake (16)

Quarter-Finals: Shandee Lad 4l. bt Hesagoodlad; Kyle James 4l. bt Street Preacher; Bilboa Baggins 3/4l. bt Razor Piper; Castle Pines 1l. bt Off The Rockers.

Semi-Finals: Kyle James 1/2l. bt Shandee Lad; Castle Pines 2l. bt Bilboa Baggins.

Final: G. Hartnett ns. Mrs. M. Field’s (Patrickswell) w.f. Kyle James (Tullamore-Ballyorgan) 5l. bt J. O’Donnell ns. P. Byrne’s (Duagh & London) w.bd. Castle Pines (Hilltown-Fiery Lucy).

Derby Trial Stake (32)

Quarter-Finals: Good Judge 5l. bt Glanmore Oscar; Leafy Glen 2.1/2l. bt Novel Investment; Manic Koran a bye. Plunkets Bay (withdrawn); Gers Strideaway 1l. bt Freemount Guest.

Semi-Finals: Good Judge j.u. bt Leafy Glen; Manic Koran 1l. bt Gers Strideaway.

Final: B. Matthews’(Newry) w.bk. Good Judge (Court House-July Bridge) 3l. bt M. Ahern’s (Templeglantine) bd. Manic Koran (Ashmore View-Tullig Peach).

Reserve Oaks Trial Stake (32)

Quarter-Finals: Centre Of The Plate 2.1/2l. bt Move On Magic; Reascashala Cross a bye. Scattery Mac (withdrawn); Jacinta’s Joy 1l. bt Quarrymount Beau; Lone Return 1.1/2l. bt Crafty Lobato.

Semi-Finals: Reascashala Cross 1l. bt Centre of The Plate; Jacinta’s Joy j.u. bt Lone Return.

Final: P. O’Regan & S. Flaherty’s (Tralee & Kilflynn) bk. Jacinta’s Joy (Judicial Affair-Snipefield Black) 4l. bt N. Nolan & A. Leahy’s (Brosna) bd.

Reascasala Cross (Ashmore View-Banjora).

Fr. Casey Memorial Stake (16 Two-Course)

Final: P. Murphy’s (Rockchapel) bk.d. Black Flush (Droopys Vieri-Nichlas Pride) 3l. bt P. Ahern’s (Templeglantine) bk.b. Tullig Woods (Droopys Woods-Silent Sally).

Jimmy O’Rourke Parish Stake (16 One-Course)

Final: Ms. B. O’Sullivan’s (Abbeyfeale) bd.d. Boomtown Villa (Droopys Ceaser-Symoon Lady) 5l. bt P. Buckley’s (Kilconlea) w.bd.b. Ceasers Flash (Droopys Ceaser-Faithful Flash).