SKIDROW IMPRESSES DUBLIN CUP FINALLY GETS UNDERWAY

Ian Fortune

Third time was a charm as far as the Dublin Cup was concerned.

After racing was postponed each of the two previous Friday nights, the valuable competition finally got underway on Friday night and it was worth wating for with some fine displays.

Indeed, it seems inevitable that the latter stages of the stake will be competitive with so many in the competition running well, while others caught the eye in defeat after traffic.

JOE SET THE STANDARD

In terms of the clock and to the eye, Skidrow Joe was the most impressive winner of the round when coming home clear in Heat 6. Pic right: Mary Kyne Lady Captain of Lucan Golf Club presents the trophy to Oisin Butler and the De Buitlear Syndicate, Cashel after Skidrow Joe won the Lucan Golf Club 525 and Heat6 of the Dublin Cup at Shelbourne Park. Also included is Yvonne Barry Track Bookmaker.  Pic: Imelda Grauer

The massive son of Ballymac Bolger and Coolavanny Chick tracked the fast starting Stuie Griffin into the back straight before cruising past the pace-setter before halfway.

Showing big pace, the Owen McKenna trained powerhouse eased right away. Owned by the De Buitlear Syndicate, Skidrow Joe made quite an impression as he went on to cross the line seven lengths clear of the early leader in a brilliant 28.41. Manalishi Jet was just a short head further back in third. 

DEFENDING CHAMP ROSE OBLIGES

The final heat saw defending champion Hello Rose make the most of an early advantage although the clock suggests she will need to go faster to retain her crown.

Laura Lynch’s daughter of Burgess Bucks and Holycross Heidi would go on to beat Westside Ranger by a length in 29.11.

A SOBERING RUN FOR SECRETS RIVALS

Sober Secret waws one of the more straightforward winners of the round, dominating from the early yards to clock a rapid 28.50 in Heat 4.

Trained by Karol Ramsbottom for Sean Malone, the massive son of Droopys Sydney and Sober Pearl was never under any serious pressure as he went on to contain the staying on Droopys Hottie by three and a half lengths.

HUNTER TOO HOT

Gallant Hunter, trained by Ollie Bray for the Virgil Van Fitzy Syndicate, was in a league of his own in the penultimate heat.

Flying up the fence, the son of Broadstrand Bono and Silver Penny was in charge by the bend and he dominated thereafter to come home four lengths clear of Ravenswood Birdy in a useful 28.66. 

NEW HITS THE RIGHT NOTE

New Note was stronger than his rivals in the opening heat, coming home with real purpose to lead on the run in for Laurence Jones.

Daring Hoffa led early but failed to contain Diabolik, who struck the front before the third turn but New Note was in their slipstream. The daughter of Droopys Sydney and Corduff Flame took charge off the final turn to beat Diabolik by a length in 28.76.

FINE RUN FROM THE GOAT

Whos The Goat continued her rise up the ranks with a fine display in Hat 7, leading from the early yards to post 28.79 for Brendan and Plunkett Matthews.

The daughter of Ballymac Bolger and Raha Gogo comfortably justified even money favouritism, leading home Coolemount Jake by three and a half lengths.

GERRY BACK TO WINNING WAYS

It had been some time since Rathmoyle Gerry won a race but John Fennelly was rewarded for his patience with the strong running son of Jaytee Jet and Highview Lauren emerging a comfortable winner of Heat 5.

Prominent from the start, he took charge into the third turn before seeing off Highview Daniel by four lengths in 28.84.

IMPORT ALWAYS IN CHARGE

Early speed was the key to success for Import Duty (Bull Run Bolt/ Faithful Linda) in Heat 8 as he slipped around in front before holding the slightly unlucky Razldazl Kamaria.

The latter pressed hard throughout but William Mullins’ Import Duty kept on finding and dug deep to contain his rival by a neck in 28.85.

NATE GIVES MULLAN A DOUBLE

There was plenty to like about the display of Ballyroyal Nate in Heat 9 as he completed a tremendous double for William Mullan.

One of our challenging for the early lead, he was pushed wide on the turn but carried momentum into the second turn to move past the leader Maximilian as they hit the back straight.

It was a decisive move from the son of Broadstrand Bono and Solas An Iarthar as he would ease on to beat Maximilian by six lengths in 28.89.

DUBH HOLDS PAIN

There was a desperately tight finish to Heat 3 but ultimately the line came in time for the all-the-way winner Coolemount Dubh.

Gerry Merriman’s daughter of Broadstrand Bono and Aine Dubh shot from five and was never headed, although Pain Barrier was a big eye-catcher as he flew home after early crowding to force a photo finish.

The pair flashed past the post locked in battle with the verdict just going to Coolemount Dubh by a head in 28.93. 

HIGH REALLY PERFORMS

High Performer was always poised in behind the pace-setting duo of Meenagh Milan and Hazelhill Marty in the second heat.

Although the gaps didn’t come quickly, when she finally got room to race on the run in, Francis Murray’s son of Ballymac Bolger and Great Intentions had the engine to take advantage. Staying on well to lead inside the final fifty yards, High Performer saw off Meenagh Milan by three parts of a length in 28.97.