COLEY FASTEST IN RED-HOT CHAMPION UNRACED
Ian Fortune
Karol Ramsbottom had a memorable night at Kilkenny on Friday with his Kapuka Coley displaying huge promise and ability on debut to set a strong standard in the opening round of the Champion Open Unraced, initiating a wonderful treble for his handler.
There were numerous brilliant displays in the Champion Open Unraced and it seems certain that many more potential classic contenders will emerge in the reminder of the competition.
MAJESTIC RUN FROM COLEY
Kapuka Coley was nothing short of brilliant in Heat 2, initiating the double for Karol Ramsbottom with a stunning 28.81 success.
A son of Sober Glory and Assarula Runner, he was sent to traps a warm favourite after impressing in qualifying and his supporters never had a moment’s worry.
This was hugely decisive from Matt Dunne’s charge. Taking control on the run to the turn, he proceeded to power clear of his rivals, headed by Cob A Job. By the line, Kapuka Coley was eight lengths to the good. Cob A Job took second with another length and a half to Droopys Yeti in third.
CRAIC FINISHES WITH PURPOSE
Leg two of the Ramsbottom treble came in the very next heat with All About Craic running down the long-time leader Kilgraney Cash.
The latter did show tremendous early speed to build a clear advantage but he completely ran out of steam.
In contrast, All About Craic was full of running from halfway. Once moving second on his own early in the back straight, Shane and Willie Rigney’s son of Dromana Bucko and Coolavanny Kitty began to close.
Indeed, he may have been a couple of lengths down at the third turn but he began to close the gap rapidly off the final turn. He eventually got up to win rather comfortably by two lengths in 29.25. Kilgraney Cash just held on to second spot by a short head from the advancing Nicky Swithin.
COTHAL TOO SHARP
The opening heat saw a fine effort from Cill Dubh Cothal as he made every inch from trap two. Representing locals Michael Bergin and Michael Donnelly, the son of Ballyhimikin Jet and Knockdrinna Ruth had posted a fast time in a sprint trial and he certainly displayed plenty of early dash to put himself in the perfect position. In front from the opening strides, he found himself further clear after avoiding some opening bend traffic behind and never looked likely to relinquish his advantage.
Croydon Avenger took up the chase but could never get close enough to land a telling blow. Cill Dubh Cothal hit the line two lengths to the good in 28.94, posting sectionals of 4.29 and 16.74. Croydon Avenger was second with Toolmaker Wanabe overcoming traffic issues to take third, some four and a half lengths further adrift.
VIC’S A DIAMOND
Billy O’Keeffe’s Vics Diamond emerged a good winner of Heat 4, running a wonderful opening and second bend to strike the front as they entered the back straight.
Hot favourite Uncle Jim went up strongly on the inside of the track, challenged by Grangeview Rocko, but the duo clashed and the Murt Leahy trained Vics Diamond seized his opportunity.
Driving the second turn on the outside of his two rivals, the son of King Sheeran and Vics Vicky quickly moved clear. By halfway he had almost eight lengths in hand. Grangeview Rocko stayed on well to take second but Vics Diamond was not for catching and he hit the line three and a half lengths to the good in 29.22. After bad traffic on the second turn, Uncle Jim was five lengths further back in third.
GROUCHOS LOOKS A PROSPECT
The final heat of the round went right down to the wire with Grouchos Frank finishing at speed to collar long-time leader and warm favourite Carrick Becks.
The latter displayed superb early speed to assert into the bend and looked likely to take some catching but Grouchos Frank had other ideas.
The Pat Buckley trained son of Grouchos Duke and Glengar Queen broke smartly and turned second before really moving through the gears past halfway. Showing real purpose on the run in, Shane O’Connell’s promising puppy powered upsides and past Carrick Becks to score by an ever-widening half length in 28.98. There was a five-length gap to Riverside Flame in third.
DROP GIVES KAROL A TREBLE
There were also four fine displays in the second round of the Georgie Leahy Memorial.
With Owen Dooley’s Mission Control going fastest in the final heat but the opening heat saw Karol Ramsbottom complete his treble with Double Drop making all to score.
Owned by James Tobin and James Darcy, the son of Broadstrand Bono came home alone in 29.15 with Mo The Red four lengths away in second.
CONTROL GOES FASTEST
The aforementioned Misson Control posted a rapid 29.04 in the final heat.
The Mick English trained son of Daves Mentor led from the bend to win by six lengths from Arrigle Out in 29.04.
GUSTAV TOO STRONG
Chaotic Gustav posted 29.16 on the way to winning Heat 3 for Dora and Peter Hattemore.
A son of Pestana and Heathview Petra, Chaotic Gustav charged into the third turn to take over before easing on to beat Killough Bird by three lengths.
MILO MAKES ALL
The remaining heat went the way of Foyle Milo.
Representing John Mackey and Tom Lennon, the son of Signet Ace and Foyle Lucy made every inch before just holding Oriental Moon by a short head in 29.31.