FANCIED RUNNERS TO THE FORE IN FAIR WARRIOR

Ian Fortune

It was a tough night to be a bookmaker at Mullingar on Saturday as the Pat Doran Memorial Fair Warrior Open 400 got underway.

In all, five of the six heats went to the favourite, while the remaining heat winner was just 5-4 at the off.

MEMPHIS FASTEST AS HE COMPLETES A REILLY DOUBLE

There was very little between most of the heat winners on the clock but the honour of going fastest went to Phoenix Memphis as he dominated in Heat 4.

He was one of two winners for Ian Reilly, who also sent out Ohtherejack to win Heat 3.

Phoenix Memphis was sharpest at traps in Heat 4 and disputed the early lead alongside Defender before asserting on the bend. Easing clear, the Keogh, Cunningham, Reilly Syndicate trained son of Droopys Sydney and Swift Jezebel went on to beat Defender by three lengths in 21.45.

JUMPING JACK OBLIGES

Ohtherejack had to work a little harder in Heat 3.

The lightly raced son of Dromana Bucko and Ohtheresky was always to the fore but had to shake off the persistent challenge of Valderrama. Going to the front off the second turn, Billy Reilly’s Ohtherejack proceeded to hit the line a length and a half to the good in 21.75. Scarborough Fair ran on well to grab second with Valderrama just a head away in third.

RANGER MAKES IT FOUR ON THE SPIN

Vincent Lynch’s Killeshil Ranger continued his superb run of form to claim his fourth win on the spin in the opening heat.

Park Run set a strong gallop from the outset but Killeshil Ranger was always within striking distance and he made his move in the final strides. Getting up on the line, the son of Superior Panama and Killeshil Beauty took the verdict by a head in 21.51.

DUKE COMES HOME IN FRONT

Martin Lanney and Michael Scanlan were on the mark in Heat 2 with Woodcliff Duke emerging a comfortable winner after a fast start.

Velvet Samba went up strongly to contest the early lead but Woodcliff Duke moved on as they turned before emerging a comfortable three and a half length scorer in 21.55. Stefans Frost came through for second.

GEM SHINES

Gem Friendly (Droopys Sydney/ Susie Sapphire) came out on top in Heat 5 for Conor McGrath and Vincent McKenna.

It was competitive inthe early yards with Peacebe With You, Beepers Cash In and Killough Sniper all prominent but Gem Friendly displayed fine early dash to assert on the corner.

Beepers Cash In turned second and did all he could to close on the leader but Gem Friendly stayed on strongly to win by a length and a half in 21.59.

GALAXY TOO GOOD

The round came to a conclusion with Stefans Galaxy justifying odds-on favouritism.

Shea Campbell’s son of Good Cody and Deelish Oreo is a top-class performer and he displayed brilliant early speed to overcome what was potentially a very tricky draw.

Despite getting slightly squeezed in the early exchanges, he burst his way to the front on the long run to the turn before pulling clear. Gallant Hunter came through for second but Stefans Galaxy was to good as he emerged a facile four length winner in 21.53.