Ian Reilly's Quietly makes plenty noise
The 6-4 favourite in a hot heat, he broke well and showed superb natural speed to lead Ballymac Sexton and Ballymac Bigmike into the first bend.
Thereafter he was in no danger, and it was clear another big run was on the card as he stretched three lengths clear of the latter, with Ballymac Sexton just a length further back.
The winning time, 17.30, is the second fastest ever recorded at the track.
He has drawn the red jacket in the final, the same box from which he set new figures in the opening round. This year’s renewal of this competition has been top drawer from the start and the decider has, almost unquestionably, the best sprint line-up ever seen at this track.
There was a minor upset in the other semi-final as odds-on favourite Hee Haws Sheriff had to settle for second place behind the Robert Gleeson-trained, Willie Hyslop-owned Toolmaker Scot.
The latter broke better than in previous rounds and used the inside line to lead Anfield Panther into the turn. The odds-on favourite, meanwhile, was trying hard to make up ground after a modest break.
The leader, very strong over this trip, strode out impressively to hit the line three and a half lengths clear of the fast-finishing Hee Haws Sheriff, in 17.48, with Anfield Panther in third.
Leos Coco, who had a litter of pups to Makeshift in November, made a successful return to action in the opening race.
Ashley Corkery’s classy bitch quickened off the second bend to go clear for a three-length victory over Jan Pursuit, in 29.04.
Patricia Hurley’s Hursul Kieran scored for the ninth time in his career when leading between the bends and staying on nicely to beat Cardiff Bay by five and a half lengths, in 17.88.
Droopys Saab, whose career began so promisingly in the Juvenile Classic of 2015 but who has clearly had her problems since, earned her stripes with a game display in the third race.
Trained by Pat Kiely, she led out of the second bend and kept on well to deny Whitty Elijah by half a length, in 28.99.
Satin Leo made all the running to take the A2 525 for Eugene Sheehan, Mallow.
The 7-4 chance held his ground when Churchtown Bound moved to challenge along the inner at the third bend, and then stayed on well to beat that rival by a length and a half, in 28.67.
Star Ace made the most of the drop back to A2 when taking the fifth race for Paddy Everard.
Always to the fore, he stayed on well to beat favourite Boherash Ozzie by two lengths, in 28.77.
In the A3 550 Sportsmans Zip, trained by Barry Daly, produced a strong late challenge to collar Sister Kelly late for a half-length victory, in 30.18.
Beechers Brook made light of a five-month absence when leading all the way in A1 525.
Drawn next to the fence, Eddie Lingane’s bitch raced to a smooth two-length victory over Liss Louise, in 28.81.
Promising May pup Broadstrand Post, a heat winner in the first round of the Red Mills Unraced Stake at Clonmel in January, earned his first Curraheen success when taking the A0/A1 550 for trainer Johnny Linehan.
An eye-catching turn of pace carried him to the front before the third turn, and he stayed on well to deny Jamies Rock by two and a half lengths, in 29.91.
In the final race, Mimis Ace came out on top of a tremendous buckle with Boherash Messiah, the pair a long way clear of their rivals. The two strong stayers turned in front, with the latter marginally ahead. However, Mimis Ace, trained by John Kiely, was on terms turning for home and this strong runner asserted in the straight to deny his rival by a length, in 28.49.
1. Quietly, 2. Ballymac Sexton, 3. Toolmaker Scot, 4. Hee Haws Sheriff, 5. Anfield Panther, 6. Ballymac Bigmike (m).
