Mucky Donal continues on upward curve

MUCKY Donal, trained by James Kelleher for Don and Gerard Buckley, is a very promising youngster and he produced the performance of his fledgling career to win Saturday night’s final of the New Year A3 550 at Curraheen Park.

On a track that wasn’t running fast, he showed fine pace to take the lead from specialist early pacer Splendid Wish on the run to the turn and that setup a winning run. The April 2010 whelp moved a length and a half clear between the bends and he always looked in command as he maintained that advantage all the way to the line in 30.69.

The Michael Hallahan-trained Shannics Sparky, who was knocked out in the opening round, made the most of the opportunity awarded her when, brought back in as a reserve, she set the standard in the semi-finals of the Fermoy Print & Design A4.

Whitty Bolt set the early fractions but Shannics Sparky led the inside runners and she moved to the front shortly after straightening up in the backstretch.

From there she asserted to run out an impressive winner from market rival Rettas Dottie in 29.06.

Castlelyons Brac looked to have a difficult draw in the second semi-final but he had the early pace to allay those fears.

Off a modest break, he accelerated in great style and, using the advantage of the inside line, he raced clear of early challenger Ray Lad as they hit the opening turn, Ned and Denis Fitzgerald’s half-brother to Youghal 525yds track record holder Whitty Guinness stretched out nicely from there to record a four-length victory over Speed Lock in 29.26.

Brendan O’Shea’s Crossfield Reese gained revenge on first-round conqueror, Chuckus Hoot, when taking the third semi-final in convincing fashion. Following the lead of litter sister Crossfield Diaz, who was successful at the track on Friday night, she battled bravely to hold her position into the first bend before pulling away to record a four-length victory over her old rival in 29.48.

Elsewhere there was a notable performance from former Laurels finalist Kid Billzer, who earned his first victory at the track since claiming the scalp of no less a hound than Broadstrand Lad in the second round of the Cork Classic back in September 2010. On this occasion, Phil Shealy’s dog slipped through along the inside at the opening bend before racing away to a four and a half lengths victory over Abzorbit in 29.26.