Student turns in classy performance
The July ‘12 son of College Causeway and Local Glamour had impressed in the semi-finals, having found trouble on his way to a 28.79 victory, and he duly built on that promise with a career-best effort here.
With a favourable draw along the rails, he broke in front but conceded a couple of lengths to the early-paced Bangor Ross as they raced the opening bends. On the tail of the leader as they turned into the back, the powerful pup was in front shortly after halfway, and ran on strongly to beat the running-on Whitty Slab by four lengths, in 28.47.
Trainers Kieran Lynch an Eamonn Morton enjoyed doubles on the night, Lynch getting off to the perfect start by taking the opener with Rockybay Jacko.
Fresh from a good run over hurdles, the John Slyne, Minane Bridge, owned runner made the most of his favoured inside draw to lead around. He was some five lengths clear racing down to the third bend and, while the promising Kranky Christine cut that margin in half, he secured an 18th career victory, in 28.69.
Lynch had to wait until the finale to complete his double, the victory coming from Parkgate Jet, owned by Pat O’Donovan, Frankfield. Although back up to open class following his victory in an A3 stake, the Laurels finalist had too much early toe for his rivals, and raced clear around the opening turns. Freds Choice ran on well to close the gap to two and a half lengths behind the 28.53 winner.
Eamonn Morton’s two winners came in quick succession and both over 550 yards as Bold Five’s victory in race eight was followed by the performance of the night from Bold Six, in race nine.
Bold Five, a full-brother, from a repeat mating of Maryanns Venture to Head Bound, to former Sprint Cup winner Cambushmore, came from off the pace to lead late for a three-parts-of-a-length victory over Knoppogue Green in 30.20.
Bold Six, an October pup by Ballymac Maeve out of Mohawk Misty, produced a much-improved effort in the ninth. A nice injection of pace saw the pup turn in front and he quickly opened up a clear advantage over odds-on shot Ronaldo Supreme. Very strong from the front, he galloped home two and a half clear of the favourite, in 29.71 — the fastest time over course and distance for almost two years.
There were three first-round heats of the Charleville Cheese A3 525 down for decision and Almost Flying turned the first heat into a procession. Trained by Barry Daly for Erica Daly, Donoughmore, he made all to beat the staying-on Coolbeggan Jewel by three lengths in 28.86.
Cill Dubh Sky brought Puppy Oaks form to the table in heat two and she, too, made all the running to score for James Bergin, Freshford. Clear throughout, she beat the always-second Tomorrow Free by two and a half lengths in 28.86.
Lochbo Vicky came from off the pace to take the third and final heat for Kathleen Spillane, Bantry. Kilmoney Lelo led until joined by Knockrour Angela between the final bends but the two bumped a couple of times, leaving the door open for Lochbo Vicky to swoop late for a head victory over Kilmoney Lelo, in 29.14.
