BRILLIANT BUNDLE STARS IN THURLES CHAMPION BITCH STAKE

Peter Farrell

The semi-finals of the Thurles Champion Bitch Stake produced a pair of high-class contests at the Premier venue on Saturday night, with Droopys Bundle building on her promising opening-round effort by posting the fastest time of the night in a brilliant display.

Trained by Robert Gleeson for Matthew Derrick, Droopys Bundle had shown plenty of pace when narrowly denied by Brickhill Moana in the opening round and, despite taking on a strong line-up in the semi-final, she stamped her authority on the contest to book her place in the decider as a leading contender. Sent off at a generous 7/2 behind the 4/7 favourite Singalong Cherry, Droopys Bundle broke smartly from trap four and just edged ahead of her market rival on the run to the opening bend. The pair quickly asserted from the remainder of the field, but Gleeson’s charge began to turn the screw approaching the third bend. Although Singalong Cherry kept the pressure on for much of the contest, the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Droopys Sweet pulled clear in the closing stages to score comfortably in a rapid 28.69. Borna Lassie claimed the final qualifying position in third.

MATILDA HEADS A BUCKLEY 1-2

The opening semi-final saw Pat Buckley complete a one-two as Deerjet Matilda (Deerjet Sydney - Nice Mystery) produced a strong finishing effort to deny kennel companion Glengar Blitz.

Owned by Bradley Canty, Glengar Blitz was installed as the 10/11 favourite and displayed great early pace from trap six to sweep past Swift Frantik in the early exchanges. Holding a three-length lead over Deerjet Matilda at halfway, she looked firmly in control before the runner-up began to close approaching the penultimate bend. With Glengar Blitz continuing to steer a wide course, Deerjet Matilda seized her opportunity on the inside and powered through to secure a half-length success for owner Nicholas De La Roche. It was another polished display from the 4/1 winner and ensured Pat Buckley will be represented by three runners in next Saturday’s final. Tassie Tomboy filled the final qualifying spot in third, with the clock stopping at 28.85.

The trap draw for the final of the Thurles Champion Bitch Stake was made shortly after and is as follows :

T1 - BORNA LASSIE

T2 - SINGALONG CHERRY

T3 - TASSIE TOMBOY

T4 - DROOPYS BUNDLE

T5 - DEERJET MATILDA

T6 - GLENGAR BLITZ