Paulo Coelho flies home in sprint final

PAULO COELHO, having set a track record in the semi-finals, duly took the final of the Hospitality Catering Super Sprint at Curraheen Park on Saturday night.

The fast starting winner made just about all. Sleek Bill was his closest pursuer in the early stages but Senahel Hawk took up the chase between bends. He had just about ranged up alongside the favourite, looking a major threat, when he bumped off the favourite, lost vital momentum and allowed the winner gain a decisive advantage.

At the line Paulo Coelho, trained by Michael Cronin for the Slip Syndicate a group of neighbours in Ferrybank, Waterford, had a length and a half to spare over Senahel Hawk with last year’s winner, Mustang Buster, running on to snatch third close home from Kilboy Oak. The latter, who had set new figures for the trip the previous Saturday, never posed a serious threat from his wide draw.