Abzorbit lands spoils in thriller
Trained by John Kiely for Charles Connolly and Martin Stuart, this terrific trapper bolted from the boxes to take his customary position at the head of affairs.
A couple clear turning into the backstraight, he looked in trouble when Jimmy Tee moved to challenge along his inner at the third bend.
But the leader held his position smartly, denying his rival a run and allowing himself the comfort of a length lead as they turned for home.
But supporters’ palpitations weren’t over yet as Fermoy Scolari and Castlelyons Ralf wound up for a whirlwind finish. With that pair flying down his inner, Abzorbit was all out to hold the challengers by a neck and the same in 28.80.
The Curraheen A3 525 dominated much of the remainder of the card and the heats produced some terrific performances, not least from Goulane Rex.
Tom O’Neill’s dog didn’t appear that well drawn out in the stripes but he dispelled that notion with a flying start that saw him comfortable clear to the bend. His superiority was never questioned thereafter, as he raced to a wide-margin success in 28.64.
Brogan Henry was not far behind Goulane Rex on the clock when he took the third heat for Marguerite O’Donoghue. From the incredibly promising Head Bound x Brogan Beetle litter, the imposing tracker flashed from traps to poach an early lead.
But Cavies Mattie also broke well and he raced up the inner of the leader as they made the turn. The pair bumped, with Brogan Henry coming off second best and losing his position. However, he impressed with his speed of recovery, bearing down on the leader at the third bend before powering past to record a two-and-a-half-length victory in 28.71.
The closest finish of the night came in heat one, where Jack Sexton’s Express Agent made every yard of the running. Comfortably clear to the turn, he raced some six lengths clear to halfway. The inexperienced but extremely promising Toureen Bridge raced in second place at that point and he began to make inroads as they approached the third bend. The leader maintained a strong gallop and the line came just in time as he denied his fast-finishing rival by a short head in 29.03.
Brian Kelly’s Desert Kewell came in as a reserve in the second heat and ran out a convincing winner. After a smart break from the inside, he controlled matters. Favourite Knockainey pushed him all the way but the leader ran on to score by a length in 28.90.
