PADDY O’GORMAN SEMIS SET TO BE HOTLY CONTESTED

Peter Farrell

The semi-finals of the Paddy O’Gorman A3/A4 525 headline an eight-race card at Galway Stadium tonight, and with the opening round proving tightly matched, another set of fiercely competitive contests is expected as the field is cut to six.

Among the opening-round winners, Crafty Elegatto set the standard with a sharp 29.02 and he will don the black jacket in the first semi for Peter and Brian Divilly. The son of Ballymac Bolger displayed exceptional pace from halfway last weekend and, as a March puppy, remains very much on the upgrade. While this represents a considerably tougher assignment, his trajectory is upward and he should be there or thereabouts at the finish. On The Latt is the obvious danger. The experienced black, owned by Gerry O’Donoghue, is chasing a twelfth career victory and arrives following a slick 29.21 success. He holds the edge in experience but must break smartly from trap five with Crafty Elegatto on his immediate inside. Flyers Swiftly also enters the mix after finishing strongly last weekend for Colm Fitzgerald and could mount a bold challenge from a favourable draw in trap two.

Experience may again prove decisive in the second semi, where Rinnwood Leo is selected to secure an extraordinary nineteenth career victory.

Trained by Des Flaherty, the son of Pestana returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion last time out with a 29.18 display, and from trap three he looks well-positioned to make every yard of the running. Among his main opponents, the Tommy Richardson-owned Lilys Beauty is likely to play a leading role. He impressed with a 29.26 performance last time and, on the basis of his 3.26 sectional, could well lead early. A repeat of that break would leave him out on his own around the opening turns. Heathlawn Ruby, representing Rose and Martin Kelly, has produced several big runs in defeat of late and looks well-housed in red to race prominently, while Hanover Mellie, a consistent performer despite a modest strike-rate, also has claims of reaching the frame.

‘TIME’ ACTION ON THE UNDERCARD

Before the Paddy O’Gorman semis, three heats of the TIME Club A5/A6 525 will set the tone for the evening.

In heat one, Croaghill Magic, who came from well off the pace to double his career tally last time out, looks primed to go close again for Patrick McDonagh. Drombeg Milo is the pick in heat two; while he has yet to stand out in his opening two starts, a promising 19.16 trial at Limerick indicates there is more to come. Heat three can go the way of the early-paced Glasheen Model, who should be well positioned to dictate matters from trap three for Brendan Browne. She has looked vulnerable late, however, and Rosshill Point is selected to ensure she does not get things all her own way.