Ace duly takes advantage of winnable opportunity
A touch disappointing in the Puppy Derby, at Harold’s Cross, and also on previous visits to Shelbourne, he had what looked a winnable opportunity this time and duly obliged in style.
Off a fast 2.00 opening split, he was able to get a couple of lengths out of his rivals on the run to the first bend. Thereafter it was a stroll as he pulled further and further clear, eventually crossing the line nine lengths ahead of Maggies Chips, in a fastest-of-the-night 28.44.
This effort was more in keeping with the promise of his early days, when he posted 28.86 at Thurles. His next assignment will be an awful lot tougher and it’ll be interesting to see how he copes with it.
The second fastest time of the night came from Laurels semi-finalist Priceless Bolt, who certainly brought his trapping boots for race 11. A 1.99 split allowed him stride clear to the first turn and he routed his rivals with a seven-and-a-half-length victory in 28.47.
Garryvoe Jet, owned by Pat Moloney, Castlemartyr, impressed in taking the opener by a wide margin. After showing a fine change of pace to lead down to the third bend, he pulled clear in great style to secure his 12th career success, in a fast 31.37 for 575 yards.
Glenamaddy’s P J Fahy recorded a fine double with Tyrur Arthur and Tyrur Van Persie. The former contested a mini-open 525, but it was a decent contest and he had to be very tough to come away with the spoils.
Jaytee Freddy, who has smart winning form over further, disputed the early lead but Tyrur Arthur, whose great-granddam is Ullid Citrate (dam of Late Late Show and Frosty Rose), showed plenty of tenacity and stamina as he forged ahead for a length victory in 28.58.
Tyrur Van Persie had to pull out all the stops to complete the double in the last. Clydal Jack took up his customary pacesetting role but the Fahy runner loomed large approaching the third bend before taking over between the turns. The early leader battled back but Van Persie held on by a neck, in 28.76.
