BENJY CAN AVENGE WOOD IN JIMMY FLAHERTY MEMORIAL

Peter Farrell

Galway is sure to attract a bumper crowd later tonight as the final of the €3,500 to the winner Jimmy Flaherty Memorial A1/A2 550 heads a stacked card at the Connacht venue.

Indeed, the final will see the much anticipated rematch between Hot Wood and Townspark Benjy after the pair finished first and second in the €5,000 to the winner TIME A3/A4 525 final earlier this year. On that occasion, Hot Wood ran out a comfortable winner for Gerry Holian and he will be fancied strongly heading into another valuable decider tonight.

Unbeaten thus far in the stake, the Produce Stakes semi finalist has posted identical times of 30.06 in both rounds to date and he is very well-housed in the striped jacket to make it a hat-trick. Boasting a lovely blend of early pace and staying power, the son of Airmount Nando is sure to race prominently, however, he will need to be on his toes at traprise if he is to take home another large pot from Galway. Townspark Benjy is a big player. Jointly owned by Patrick Geraghty and Ollie Bray, the son of Broadstand Bono also comes into the event unbeaten and he is the only tracker to dip under 30-seconds in calculated terms. A likely leader from three, although ‘Benjy’ was downed by ‘Wood’ last time they met, Bray’s charge gets the vote on this occasion to reverse the form and take home what would be a much deserved big race victory. Although you could be forgiven for thinking this is a two-dog affair, the likes of Azeman and Donies Wood are hardly seen as ‘also-rans’. The former was a notable eye-catcher in the semi finals for Dave Bourke and the son of Vulturi and Ballymac Breeze has the pace to get involved. Indeed, the classy brindle has some fine form around Thurles and Clonmel, and he has already shown enough to suggest he could dip under 30-seconds with a clear passage at Galway. That said, he has a tricky draw in four and will need to be on his game from the outset. Donies Wood, meanwhile, comes into the event as the most experienced campaigner in the line-up. Declan Kilkenny’s tracker has proved a brilliant servant and he retains most of his ability despite stepping out for what will be his fortieth start later tonight. Drawn in five, the son of Magical Bale could dispute early on, however, he will need a return to his very best in order to cause an upset. The remaining runners are Young Tiernan and Aulton Lucy, both of whom are here on merit. The former, owned by Michael Walsh is a lively outsider in the final and he could spring a surprise if taking one of his customary fliers from a brilliant draw in one. The son of Pat C Sabbath has some serious clocks to his name and he is more than capable of putting the cat amongst the pigeons with a slick exit from red. Aulton Lucy however, will need luck. Trained by Vincent McKenna for Patrick Hogan, she will likely be double-figures come 9.35pm tonight and she will need to pull out all the stops in order to make the frame.