ALL ABOUT THE TRACK RECORD RUN OF BALLYMAC SETANTA IN THE OPENING ROUND OF THE LAURELS
Barry Drake
Ante-post favourite for outright glory, Ballymac Setanta (Ballymac Kingdom-Ballymac Art), a finalist last year, made no mistakes with a sensational performance from trap one in heat number five.
Pic right: Tim Murphy (Bar One Racing) with Shane Dowling and Ballymac Setanta after his track record winning display (27.75) in the opening round of the Laurels on Saturday night.
The 1-4 favourite took a flyer, and he flew around the opening corners in top gear. It was pretty clear he was on for a special run heading down the back straight, and the Liam Dowling-owned and trained runner came home alone.
He had equalled the record last year when clocking 27.81, and this time he went six spots faster, stopping the clock, in 27.75. In superb form in recent weeks, he came here on the back of a couple of outstanding displays, winning the Michael Fortune Memorial Plate at Shelbourne Park. In top gear, he is a joy to watch, and he lit up the opening round of the Laurels.
DOWLING ON THE DOUBLE
Next best on the clock was another Liam Dowling runner; this time it was last year's runner-up, Solo And Go (Ballymac Best-Ballymac Minton). Owned by the Kingdoms Palace Syndicate, punters who took the 1-2 never had a moment's worry, as he led early and never looked bad. Powering along up front, it was another top-class performance on the night, posting 28.05, four and a half lengths clear of his kennel-mate Ballymac Linx.
COTHAL ON TOP FORM
Cill Dubh Cothal (Ballyhimikin Jet-Knockdrinna Ruth) has plenty of form around course and distance after winning the recent A1 Kasko Derby, and the well-backed even-money favourite put on a superb winning display in heat number six. The impressive winner produced a flying start from trap two, and he went on to make all the running for trainer Michael Donnelly and owner Michael Bergin. A magnificent 28.17 winning run, five and a half lengths clear of Certificate.
BARRY IMPRESSIVE ALONG THE RAILS
Montana Secret, a big local fancy, was sent off favourite in the seventh heat; however, he was in early trouble, and it was Sober Barry (Skywalker Barry-Sober Pearl) who won the all-important early speed along the inside of the track. Trained by Karol Ramsbottom for owner Sean Malone, the classy performer was powering down the back straight in front.
Galloping strongly to the line, he turned what looked like a red-hot contest into a one-dog event. At the winning line, he was six and a half lengths clear of Romeo Alliance, in 28.01.
MONK SHOWS HIS LIKING FOR THE CORK CIRCUIT ONCE MORE
Droopys Monk (Signet Ace-Droopys Lois) impressed when winning the third heat for owners Graham Ashe and Tommy Kelly. Trained by Barry Clancy, the 6-4 second favourite wasn't the quickest away from trap four, but he showed stunning early speed to make the corners in front. Soon clear, it was all one-way traffic up front.
A 28.20 winning performance, seven and a half lengths clear of Super Syd.
1-2 FOR TRAINER PAUL HENNESSY
Trainer Paul Hennessy enjoyed a 1-2 in heat number four, English Derby Champion Lennies Eddie (Good Cody-Portumna Marina) coming from last to first to win for owner Lee Craze. After a slow start, he was pretty much last for the first half of the race, but he really caught the eye in the second half. Finishing best of all, he came through the field to win. Coloursaregreen did things wrong early as well, but he caught the eye as well in second place. Two lengths the margin, in 28.88.
IN OTHER HEATS
On just his third career outing, Blastoff O Henry (Mustang Jet-Blastoff Apache) displayed bundles of early speed from trap two to win the opening heat for trainer Philip Buckley and owners the Racing Bucks Syndicate. The 5-1 shot impressed on the back straight, and he held on gamely, coming home a length and a half clear of Droopys Unreal, in 28.64. Hot favourite Ballymac Kamala made late gains for third after a poor start.
The local kennel of Andy Lynch was on the scoresheet in the third heat; Sure Exile (Broadstrand Bono-Glowing Exile) delivered a strong late run to land the spoils at odds of 8-1. Odds-on favourite Lennies Dynamic was in trouble early, and it was Enoch Bark who was going along nicely up front. The last-named looked in control for most of the way; however, the strong-running winner got up in the final stride to win. A short head the margin, in 28.52.
Despite only five going to traps for heat eight, there was still plenty of trouble; however,Ropewalk Ranger (Droopys Flytline-Saratoga) was minding his own business up front, and he scored for the local kennel of Ned Kerrisk. In front early doors from trap five, the 5-1 shot stuck to his task well to beat Faypoint Ranger, by three and a half lengths, in 28.77.
Local trainer Kieran Lynch had a couple who ran well in defeat, but this time, he was on the scoresheet as Shutinthedark (Roaming Turbo-Burgess Madam) made full use of the inside of the track to win for owner Fintan Lawlor and Eoin Ivers. The 7-2 winner was in front early along the inside of the track, and from here, the race always looked in safe keeping. Finding plenty up front throughout, the smart winner came home two and a half lengths clear of Newinn Spot, in 28.29.
Well-backed in the ring, Microchip (Droopys Sydney-Clona Skye) returned to top form in the tenth. Owned by Mark Clarke, the 3-1 shot goes well from the inside of the track, and he produced his best running here when delivering one of his quickest starts to lead along the inside of the track. Motoring well throughout, Microchip held all the aces throughout and he kept on well at the head of affairs. Jaykay Fly ran a cracker from a wide draw, three and a half lengths the difference, in 28.29.