Painstown Chief in command as he sees off all comers
Lenson Panda, the even-money favourite, was a little restless in traps and didn’t break as well as he can.
With the eventual winner holding the inside position well and denying the market leader a run, it was left to Slippery Fred and Going To Work to throw down the challenges to the Paul Hennessy-trained leader.
With plenty of winning form over further, he was always going to be difficult to get by, and so it proved as he raced strongly to beat Slippery Fred by a length and a half, in 28.61, with Jaytee Dutch getting up on the line to deny Lenson Panda the third place in the decider.
With a vacant box on his inner, due to the absence of Lenson Sanchez, Sidarian Vega had little trouble justifying odds-on favouritism in the second semi-final.
The 4-6 chance, trained by Graham Holland, made all to beat Fair Taxes by three lengths, in 28.11 – the same time he posted in the previous round.
Proud Graham, a kennel companion of the winner, took third place, just half a length further back.
The fastest time on the night came from another Holland runner, June pup Clares Rocket, who posted a sizzling 28.06 off a stunning 1.90 sectional.
The 4-5 favourite, having just his seventh career outing, flew home seven lengths clear of Burgess Tadhg.
There were plenty of other fine performances on the card, including from the Brian McCann-trained Eightythreelarch, who led between the opening bends and pulled clear to post a first success at this track, in 28.35.
April pup Kilara Rex looks another nice prospect, this strong-running April pup bringing his tally to three wins from six outings when leading late to secure a four-length victory, in 28.47.
Pat Buckley’s Airfield Bruce enhanced his record to two wins from four outings, when making all to win a mini-open in 28.48.
Best Car Parks Gold Cup final:
Draw:
1. Slippery Fred, 2. Jaytee Dutch, 3. Proud Graham, 4. Sidarian Vega, 5. Painstown Chief, 6. Fair Taxes (w).
