Martinstown cruises home in smart 31.24

DESPITE the withdrawal of a couple of fancied runners, the Tyrur McGuigan @ Stud Open 575 provided tremendous racing at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night.

Martinstown Snow went fastest when posting a very smart 31.24, while Ohio Rumble and Broadstrand Lad were just a fraction slower winning their heats.

The much heralded clash of Tibetan Skies and Martinstown Snow in Heat 3 failed to materialise. After a superb opening round display, Tibetan Skies was a 6-4 favourite but he missed the break and never really threatened.

Martinstown Snow displayed fine early speed to recover from a moderate start before asserting near the turn.

He quickly stretched into a commanding lead over Croom Star and cruised home three lengths clear.

Great credit must go to Tibetan Skies, who after turning in last spot, flew home to grab third in the dying strides.

Broadstrand Lad may have gone fractionally slower than Martinstown Snow, but he was hugely impressive. Sent to traps a red-hot favourite at 4-6 his supporters would have been worried as Tyrur Domingo flew up the inside as they raced to the turn.

Broadstrand Lad displayed incredible track craft however. As Tyrur Domingo swung wide off the turn, Broadstrand Lad slipped inside and hit the front again.

Broadstrand Lad was never going to be caught afterwards and stayed on well to take the verdict by a length and a half from Tyrur Domingo in 31.29.

Ohio Rumble was strongly supported in the final heat and made every yard of the running. . Ohio came away racing from trap four and looked set for a comfortable victory going down the back straight in a clear advantage. However, 7-4 favourite Coolavanny Shine had other ideas.

Always playing catch up, Coolavanny displayed huge pace close right up on Ohio Rumble, but he checked on the run in and Ohio Rumble to hold on for a head success in 31.25.

There was a shock in the opening heat as Lewcas Thunder came home clear.

The 6-1 chance was sharper than his rivals to the turn and despite the best efforts of Sawdust Terry and Money Go Easy, Lewcas Thunder stayed on well to take the verdict by a length and a half in 31.40.

Heat 1: 1 Coolavanny Shine; 2 Broadstrand Lad; 3 Lewcas Thunder; 4 Ohio Rumble; 5 Money Go Easy (m); 6 Tyrur Willyjoe (w)

Heat 2: 1 Croom Star; 2 Tyrur Domingo; 3 Tibetan Skies; 4 Martinstown Snow (m); 5 Tyrur Columbo (w); 6 Sawdust Terry (w)