STUNNING KASKO SEMI-FINAL WINNING DISPLAY FROM CILL DUBH COTHAL
Barry Drake
CILL DUBH COTHAL (Ballyhimikin Jet-Knockdrinna Ruth) went quickest on the night when recording 28.27 in the semi-finals of the € 6,000-to-the-winner Kasko A1 Derby at Curraheen Park on Saturday night.
The 2-1 winner clocked a flying 3.28 sectional to lead from trap three, and the talented performer flew around the opening turns in front.
Trained by Michael Donnelly for Michael Bergin, the July '24 whelp was in top gear on the back straight and, in truth, the impressive winner was always in control. Ivo ran a cracker in second, three and a half lengths back. The same distance back to Ballycowen Archy in third.
Patterdale Timmy (Ballymac Cashout-Patterdale Lena) came home in front in the second heat for Sally Mounsey. It was a really messy contest, with Cracking Cody and Priceless On Ice running into all sorts of trouble.
The 2-1 winner took full advantage, staying on well to land the spoils, in 29.32. Five lengths back to Happy Me in second. A further length and a half back to Air Hostess in third.
Bushpark Lennie (Dromama Bucko-Bushpark Katie) set the standard in the opening round of the Galloping Kennels A3 Stake.
Trained by Graham Holland for the Bushpark Family Syndicate, the 2-5 favourite displayed lovely early speed from trap five. Kicking clear on the back straight, the October puppy came home two lengths clear of Orderly Queue, in 28.53.
Other first round winners were: Aghadown Delek, in 29.00, for Niall Collins. Knockglass Joe in 28.96 for trainer Graham Holland and owner Martin Murphy.
A wonderful servant for connections, Faypoint Harvey (Droopys Sydney-Roaming Shari) delivered a 21st career victory for trainer Graham Holland and owner Patricia Flanagan in the A0. Breaking well from trap three, the 2-1 winner tracked well around the opening corners to lead from Parkview Cash.
Once in front, the outcome was never in any doubt. Displaying big speed up front, the classy performer came home five lengths clear of Boylesports Paul, in 28.47.
Sean Stilwell has a top-class tracker in his hands and In The Sunset (Jacob Tashadelek-Droopys Lagoon) delivered back-to-back winning performances in the closing race, winning the AA0, at odds of 10-1, in 28.36.
Moving inwards early from trap four, he turned second behind the early paced Knockalough. Powering down the back straight to lead before the second last bend, he pulled right away to win in style. A superb winning effort, five and a half lengths clear of Desert Flower.