Holland’s domination continues

Graham Holland’s domination of the Macroom Motor Services Stake continued on Saturday night as he claimed both semi-finals, courtesy of Riverside Cashen and Murralli Junior.

In the opening heat, another member of the Golden kennel, Jacobs Courage, broke best of all but Riverside Cashen showed a terrific turn of speed to move through along the inside and into the lead approaching the bend.

Jacobs Courage renewed his effort down to the third turn but Riverside Cashen enjoyed the benefit of the rails and he used it to full advantage, slipping clear into the homestraight to deny the eye-catching late rush of the very poorly drawn Cashen Mafuma by a couple of lengths in 28.69.

Murralli Junior posted a much improved effort to complete the Holland double in the second semi-final. Owned by Alan Murray, he flashed from traps and recorded a blistering 3.29 opening split as he assumed the early advantage.

Meanwhile, market leader North Bound, who was unfavourably drawn on the rails, also broke well but he moved right across the track impeding the other four runners as he moved right out to the hare rail.

Murralli Junior took full advantage, stretching a couple clear to the turn and, hard as North Bound tried to make up the deficit, he was unable to catch the leader who ran on strongly to score by two and a half lengths in a very fast 28.45.

Elshwhere on the card, there was a deserved success for Postman Ray, who just three runs previously had raced against Milldean Panther. Kieran Lynch’s experienced campaigner showed a nice injection of pace to take the first-bend lead from Cherokee Field and he quickly put the contest to bed, moving clear down the back before holding the renewed effort of the early leader in 28.73.

Macroom Motor Services Stake final draw (Saturday, 26 May): 1. North Bound, 2. Splendid Joy, 3. Cashen Mafuma, 4. Murralli Junior, 5. Jacobs Courage, 6. Riverside Cashen