A FREEK RUN IN FUTURE CHAMPION AT ENNISCORTHY

Ian Fortune

Alien Freek opened his account at the third time of asking at Enniscorthy on Monday night, setting the standard in the semi-finals of the Future Champions & Michael Fortune Memorial Open Unraced 525.

In fact, his 28.91 return was the fastest time of the competition thus far.

Larry Byrne’s son of Shima Shine and Droopys Newby broke smartly from five in the second semi-final and soon drove into a two length lead. Clona Chase turned second and closed on the leader into the third turn only to check slightly.

It handed the initiative back to Alien Freek and he stayed on well to contain Clona Chase by a length. Monbeg Notorious was seven and a half lengths further adrift in third.

GALLANT SHOWS HIS DASH

Droopys Gallant followed up his second-round success in the opening heat.

Trained by Murt Leahy for the Roll The Dice Syndicate, the son of Droopys Addition and Droopys Alyssa again displayed fine early dash to seize control in the early yards.

Ballinabola Vol chased hard to halfway but could never get back on terms. Instead, Monbeg United finished fast to close on the run in. Droopys Gallant held on by a length, however, stopping the clock in 29.25. Headwire Trout also stayed on to take third, a further length and a half back.