Danaghers best as O'Donovan hoodoo strikes for a sixth time
It was the sixth time that O’Donovan has got a dog to the final of the Derby only to see it beaten.
Things had gone more or less as expected up to the decider in the Derby.
Lucan Jet came from behind to get the better of an exciting buckle with Patterdale Romeo by half a length in the opening quarter final, the loser getting in for the only other score in the course.
The buckle between the much fancied Johns Destiny and Danaghers Best was expected to be tight but it was Danaghers Best who showed the better foot when coming from behind to get up by two lengths to create a minor upset.
The battle between Pipers Gap and Skellig Rock was the course of the round with Skellig Rock leading, being headed, and fighting back to get the verdict by the narrowest of margins.
In the final course of the round the favourite, Judicial Castelu, led all the way against Dunsilly Two for a five lengths success.
In the first semi-final Danaghers Best came from behind once more to beat Lucan Jet by a length and a half, the pair each getting in for a score after the initial turn.
Judicial Castelu also came from behind to put out Sellig Rock, who had led for a long way, by two lengths in a long slip with the winner getting in for another score before he finish.
In the decider Danaghers Best took control from slips and although Judicial Castelu closed the gap to a length he couldn't make any further impression.
The favourites fell quick and fast in the quarter-finals of the Hotel Minella Oaks.
Oldtown Jenny was expected to gain revenge for her defeat by Lough Rea in the trial stake at New Ross, but in an exciting buckle, Lough Rea confirmed her superiority despite changing sides and having to come from behind to be up by a length for the only score.
Ross Lass surprised Gooleen Jessie when leading all the way for a length success and then came the major upset of the day when Departing South, the 4-5 overnight favourite, was led all the way by Sheisamodel who had three lengths in hand when the hare was turned.
In the final course of the round Long Acre raced away from Newinn Star for a five lengths success.
But the surprises did not stop there.
Ross Lass was the outsider in her course with Lough Rea but she was fast away to take the turn by two lengths in the opening semi-final.
Long Acre then led all the way against the new favourite, Sheisamodel, to take the turn by three lengths.
In the final Long Acre was again fast away from slips to lead all the way against Ross Lass and take the turn by two lengths with the pair having a tough course to cover.
Brendan Matthews of Newry created his own bit of history when he won the O’Murchu Champion Stake for the second year in a row with Multibet.
In the final Multibet was the outsider but he raced away from the Michael O’Donovan trained favourite, Cooga Hilltown, to win by an impressive eight lengths.
The Grace Bruton Memorial Champion Bitch Stakes was also won in impressive style by Fiery Mary. In the final she readily came clear of Flashy Euro for an eight lengths success.
The Gerry Chawke Kitty Butler Stake went to Mt. Heaton Dale who proved five lengths faster than Mountain Flower while Initial Try got the better of Kevins Tullamore by a length in the Gerry Chawke T. A. Morris Stakes.
