CLOVER BLOOMS IN EXPRESS FOOD SERVICE A4 FEATURE

Peter Farrell

While the Shay Rooney Memorial headlined proceedings at Lifford on Saturday night, the Express Food Service A4 525 proved a fitting supporting act and went the way of local runner Drumdoit Clover.

Carrying a winner’s prize of €1,000, the final appeared wide open on paper but proved anything but, as Drumdoit Clover produced a commanding display for local connections Alan Byrne and Rebecca Porter. Doubly represented in the final with two litter brothers, both were bidding to complete hat-tricks in the decider, but it was Clover who made his intentions clear from trap rise, bursting from five. Showcasing his early pace, the August pup posted a rapid 2.63 sectional before steering a middle-to-wide course down the back, which perhaps made the gap appear closer than it actually was. With three lengths in hand rounding the penultimate bend, the promising fawn son of Dromana Bucko – Drumdoit Pippa powered up the hill to score by three and a half lengths from Smurfing Deele in second. The winning time was a sharp 28.98.

Dawn Porter alongside winning owner Rebecca Porter following Drumdoit Clover’s victory in the final of the Express Food Service A4 525. Also pictured is Lifford RM Spencer Saberton.