DAITHI SETS PACE IN CARROLL MEMORIAL

Ian Fortune

For the second week running, the Paddy and Eamon Carroll Memorial A3/A4 provided some exceptional racing at Dundalk on Friday night.

Each of the four second round heats provided a tremendous winner although honour of going fastest went to Armagh Daithi as he posted a sizzling, best of the competition, 28.49 in Heat 3.

One of four first round winners in the heat, Aidan McVeigh’s dog dominated from an early stage to put five-and-a-half lengths between himself and runner-up Rolo Bucks. Up The Game was a further length adrift in third.

ATLANTA AND LIBERTY CAN’T BE SEPARATED

Rita and John Downey’s Monleek Atlanta, also successful a week earlier, and the Martin Lanney trained Loskeran Liberty couldn’t be separated at the end of the opening heat. The former set a strong gallop for much of the way but Monleek Atlanta charged home to join him on the line. The judge was unable to split the pair and declared a dead-heat in 28.63. Chancellors Link was seven lengths behind the duo in third.

ALLIANCE IN A THRILLER

There was another exciting finish in Heat 2 as the very well-bred New Alliance held off Rolo Pistachio and Up The Sleeve in 28.90. New Alliance was headed in the early yards by Up The Sleeve but cut across that rival on the turn to move clear.

He needed every inch of his advantage, however, as both Rolo Pistachio and Up The Sleeve were coming hard up the home straight. The Francie Murray trained New Alliance went on to score by a half length and a short head.

JUMPING JACK MAKES ALL

The last of the four heats saw Avon Jack add to his opening round victory in trap to line fashion. Owned by Kieran Connell and Colm Markey, the son of Ballymac Best went on to see off Arrigle Beauty by five and a half lengths in 28.73. Pavilion Fire was just a short head away in third.

It’s a wonderful renewal of the Paddy and Eamon Carroll Memorial and it’s worth noting the semi-finals of the €2,600 to the winner stake will take place next Saturday evening rather than Friday.