TWO SLIP JIGS TRIUMPHS IN KASKO UNRACED DECIDER AT THURLES
Peter Farrell
The final of the 2023 Kasko Dog Foods Novice 525 came to a head at Thurles on Saturday night and Two Slip Jigs emerged victorious as he built on an impressive semi final performance.
Vis A Vis set the opening round standard for Dave Bourke and Javier Jarne as he posted a rapid 28.94 .20s but although he maintained his unbeaten tag in last week’s semis, he was outshone by Two Slip Jigs on that occasion as he produced a thoroughly polished display to go quickest. As a result, Jason Fletcher’s charge was installed as the even money favourite and he duly obliged, making every yard to score in style.
A 29.12 .20s clock in last week’s semi finals was enough to outline the clear ability of the March 22’ puppy as he bounced back from a debut defeat by Vis A Vis to go quicker than his rival last Saturday night. Drawn favourably in trap three in the decider, Two Slip Jigs was sent off as the evens favourite ahead of Vis A Vis (6/4), who faced a tricky draw in trap five in his bid to maintain his unbeaten career start. A five dog affair with the absence of Bogger Cookie in one, Two Slip Jigs pinged out of traps to quickly pace up and post a 1.66 sectional. Followed in second by Vis A Vis, who showed good determination to gain a decent position, the leader rounded the opener with five lengths in hand and it already looked a huge ask for his rivals in terms of their efforts to reel in the leader. Setting a scorching gallop down the back, the son of Broadstrand Bono and Kilgowan Honey was tracking beautifully although Vis A Vis was edging closer upon entrance to the penultimate turn. The efforts of Dave Bourke’s talented puppy was in vain however, as the bird had well and truly flown in this prestigious €2,200 decider. Staying on stoutly up the home straight, Two Slips Jig stormed to a two and a half length victory over Vis A Vis in second. The Fletcher’s were doubly represented in the final and it was De Foxy Devil who finished at speed to grab third, just one length further back. The time was 28.99 .20s.
IN OTHER RACES
In race six, Lisdaleen Range made a winning return to Thurles for Brendan Everard and Jack Wilson. The strapping blue bridle was installed as the even money favourite and he made his intentions clear early on as he took control on the run-up. Setting a powerful gallop down the back, the son of Out Of Range relished every inch of the 570-yard trip as he emerged with a comfortably, five and a half length victory, in 31.45 .20s.
Anytime Jamie (Anytime Joe - Lilly Lass) continued his fine form in race eight as the Jordan Fahey-owned runner made it five career victories. Running from trap four, the 5/2 chance was quickest into stride and this proved decisive as he galloped to a four length win over Cool Croo Chick in second. The time was 29.48 .20s.
Switching to the two-bend trip and there was a really likeable display from Clonmore Boy. Trained by Ann Taylor for Seamus McGrath, the February 22’ whelp went off as the 7/4 second favourite and he recovered from a moderate start to run the superior opening corner and take control. The result never in doubt thereafter, he crossed the line with six and a half lengths in hand, in a time of 17.77 .10s.