Sensational start for Barnagrane Glen

The fastest time of the night on Saturday’s card at Curraheen Park came in the opener but, more significantly and a little surprisingly, it came from a newcomer, Barnagrane Glen, owned by Paudie O’Keeffe.

Clearly, it wasn’t a surprise to those most closely connected with the January ’14 whelp as, called in from the reserves, the bitch was sent off the 5-4 favourite.

From the extremely promising Oaks Road x Glenbowen Trix litter, the half-sister to Guinness Trophy winner Glenbowen Diamon flashed from boxes, posting a fast 3.36 sectional as she opened an advantage of some six lengths on the run to the first turn.

Showing class beyond her age and experience, she maintained a searching gallop all the way to record a tremendously impressive 11-length victory over Be Like That, in 28.60. She’s clearly a real prospect.

Pat Quirke, Newcestown, was on the mark in race two, as Pookies Kitty scored for the third time. The bitch led out of traps and, despite moving off at the first bend, held her position. She moved clear down the back, and stayed on nicely to beat Aislings Dream by three and a half lengths, in 29.02.

Coursing-bred Bristol Azul brought his track tally to four wins from five outings with a gutsy display in race three. Trained by Barry Lynch for Moira Roche, Rathkeale, the April ’13 whelp edged ahead at the first turn, and battled gamely to deny Glanmire Trooper by a head, in 17.85.

Chloes Gina ran out a very easy winner of the fourth race, over 750 yards, for John Duggan and owners Brendan O’Callaghan and Rose Elphick. The bitch flew from traps, raced some three clear to the first turn, and pulled further and further clear to post a nine-length victory over Lagile Lily, in 41.48.

Lightly raced August ’12 whelp Slippark Scoobie made it third-time lucky with a runaway victory in race five. Owned by Master Ethan Hyde, Bantry, she led Lizzys Cocktail into the first turn and, when that rival was impeded, she pulled away to beat favourite Rockforest Jill by four and a half lengths, in 17.76.

November pup Patjennaholly, trained by Pat Kiely for John Organ, Dungarvan, completed a hat-trick (over three different distances) with a fine effort in race five.

The promising bitch showed pace to hold the inside line against the fast-starting Christmas Tiger as they raced into the first turn. Once in front, she ran powerfully to beat that rival by two and a half lengths, in 30.03 (550).

Chinook Caviar produced a pretty smart display to get up on the line for victory in the first semi-final of the Curraheen A3 525. The bitch, from the in-form kennel of Joe and Frank Long, Bandon, was only fifth turn into the back, but produced a strong performance to snatch a short-head victory from Parkgate Connie, in 29.16.

Antartic Scott, a litter brother to earlier winner Chloes Gina, took the second semi-final for Kevin Duggan and owner Alan Duggan.

Returning from a two-month absence, the strong-running sort showed pace to move into second place early in the backstraight. He then mounted a challenge around the final bends, before leading late for a two-length victory over Murdaniel Beauty, in 29.06.

Race nine was the first semi-final of the Forever Living Products A3 525, and reserve Travara Walk caused an upset when landing the spoils for John O’Regan, Butlerstown.

The 5-1 chance broke well from the wide draw and showed pace to lead around from the fast-starting Coleabar Lucky, with odds-on favourite Burgess Tadhg working hard to make up ground after a slow break.

The leader moved some three clear down the back, but was all out to deny the strong finish of the returning Mulcair Hawk by a head, in 29.01, with the odds-on favourite back in third.

Hesagodsend had even less to spare when taking the second semi-final for Ollie Gooney, Thurles. A June pup, he missed the kick and was held middle-to-wide around the opening bends. However, he switched inside leader Ballydaly Choice at halfway, and forged ahead down to the third turn.

Butterbridge Ace produced a big finish but Hesagodsend, who has plenty of scope for improvement, held on by a short head, in 28.93.

The night’s programme closed with a third career victory for Liss Dolly, owned by John O’Riordan, Macroom. The lightly raced bitch broke well and produced a nice injection of pace to lead Coolbeggan Eve into the first turn. She then moved some three clear down the back, and that proved crucial as she held the strong finishing effort of Chinook Rumble by half a length, in 28.89.

Trap draws

Curraheen A3 525 final: 1. Chinook Caviar, 2. Shaded Sky, 3. Murdaniel Beauty, 4. Parkgate Connie, 5. Dunbullogue West, 6. Antartic Scott (w).

Forever Living Products A3 525 final: 1. Droopys Lahinch, 2. Mulcair Hawk, 3. Burgess Tadhg, 4. Butterbridge Ace, 5. Hesagodsend, 6. Travara Hawk (m).