Ringo Star beats off opposition in final
Mr Security and Llywns Allstar set the early pace, with Ringo Star content to sit in mid-division. As with the previous day in the heat, Meadowbranh Demon gave a 50 yard handicap. With six furlongs to go Ringo Star was sent to the front by Ciaran Brickley, but Llywns Allstar was not giving in and turning for home it was anyone’s race. All the while Meadowbranch Demon was making up ground but just failed to reel in Ringo Star, who held on by a short head.
This son of Timon del Sol and Southlands Swift is home-bred by the Brickley family from Baltimore.
The second final of the day, the Paddy Connolly Memorial, went to favourite Sunnyside Kildare, who was made to work hard to complete the big summer handicap double, having won the final of the George Deane Memorial here in May.
Gadgie Pan set a cracking pace and looked to have seen off all challengers in this mile and 180 yards contest. But champion driver Donal Murphy kept his powder dry on Sunnyside Kildare, only hitting the front in the final furlong, to win for Colomane-based owner Sean Buckley.
Connections of the winner have The Strata Florida Handicap in Tregaron, Wales the next target for this talented four-year-old, who is trained by Tadhg Murphy, a brother of the winning driver .
Hell Boy was one of the most popular winners of the weekend in the opening Maiden & Novice Race. Driver Mike O’Brien employed front-running tactics on this son of Sable Matters and, despite the best efforts of Western Beach, Hell Boy held on for a half length win .
In the second division of the Maiden and Novice, Supreme Sunshine was all the rage despite a poor draw . Moonlite Sky made the early running and looked to have done enough heading into the final circuit. With three furlongs to go she went off stride and this allowed Co Meath raider Killarney Howard to take advantage and hold off Supreme Sunshine by half a length .
Today sees the third and final day of the festival, with a 2.30pm start.
