BRILLIANT PLATE ACTION AS SETANTA DAZZLES
Ian Fortune
The 2026 Michael Fortune Memorial Derby Plate got underway on Friday night at Shelborne Park and the resulting action was right out of the top drawer.
There were many superb performances but the best came from Ballymac Setanta as he posted a standard-setting 29.19, providing the second leg of a Liam Dowling Hat trick that was earlier initiated by Ballymac Scheff and completed by Ballymac Deniro.
SETANTA FIRES
Ballymac Setanta may have been short of luck in his two most recent outings, in the opening round of the English and Irish Derby, but he took his opportunity in Heat 2 to get back to winning ways in some style.
Roarin Ogara flashed from four but Ballymac Setanta was soon up his inner and in front. Once turning with a good advantage, Liam Dowling’s brilliant son of Ballymac Kingdom and Ballymac Art was never likely to be troubled. Ballyhooly Cliff moved second down the back straight but couldn’t land a telling blow. Ballymac Setanta raced on to score by five and a half lengths from Ballyhooly Cliff in 29.19. Roarin Ogara stayed on to secure third, some three lengths further back.
SCHEFF TAKES HIS CHANCE
Liam Dowling had earlier initiated his treble withBallymac Scheff storming home to win Heat 1, albeit after a little luck around the last two bends.
Only fifth into the third turn after a luckless passage to the corner, he stayed tight to the fence and capitalised as the leaders clashed.
The powerful son of Ballymac Kingdom and Ballymac Pete shot through the gap and finished fast to see off Coolemount fame by three lengths in 29.83. Aulton Cash was another three lengths adrift in third.
DENIRO COMPLETES DOWLING’S HAT TRICK
The Dowling hat trick was completed by Ballymac Deniro in Heat 7.
A drifter in the market, he went off a generous 4/6 and his many backers had few worries. Dear Sir broke well and displayed fine early speed to turn in front. In contrast, Ballymac Deniro was a little flatfooted at boxes but soon moved through the gears.
Going second into the turn, he had simply too much ammunition for the leader down the back straight and moved on at halfway. It was all too easy for the son of Ballymac Finn and Ballymac Arminta thereafter and he powered clear to eventually win by seven lengths from Dear Sir in 29.42. Avenue Queen stayed on in third, just a half lengths further back.
SHELBY GOING THE RIGHT WAY
It’s more than obvious to those paying attention that Roaming Shelby seems to be getting better with each outing and he claimed a third career victory in Heat 4, showing superior early speed to his rivals to make virtually every inch.
Trained by Graham Holland for Paul Ellis and Seamus Hagan, the classy son of Tommy Shelby and Roaming Shari moved with purpose throughout to contain the persistent challenge of the talented Miami Hans by a length and a half in 29.43. Mydras Opinion ran on well to take third, just two lengths back.
SWORDS CUTS DOWN RIVALS
Graham Holland completed a double in the final heat with Swords Style finding his trapping boots to leave his rivals standing.
The fawn son of Grangeview Ten and Emers Sally shot from four and was in charge from the opening stride.
Barbara Lowndes’ September ’23 whelp was simply too good for hi rivals and eased on to halfway before coasting home a facile and comfortable six and a half length scorer over Ryee in 29.45.
KING LOOKS MADE FOR SHELBOURNE
It seems Denise Ryan and the Organised Chaos Syndicate may be seeing much more of Shelbourne Park in the future as their star, Oriental King, looks made for the place.
The powerfully built son of Coolavanny Hoffa and Newinn Willow was simply too strong for the opposition in Heat 6.
Newinn Spot went up fastest but was always under pressure with Oriental King turning second. Predictably, Oriental King was had too much for the leader. Charging into the third turn, he stayed wide of the long-time leader to move to the front. Showing all his strength, Oriental King powered clear to see of Newinn Spot by five lengths in 29.47 with another two lengths to Jacktavern Bull in third.
NUA SHOWS HIS NOUS
A return to the inside box made the difference for Droichead Nua in Heat 5 as the Shaun Conway trained star displayed his early speed and track craft to take over on the bend.
Grouchos Frank was fastest into stride, challenged by Gaytime Teco but the nous of Droichead Nua was very evident as he slipped inside the duo on the corner to assume control.
Once doing so, the son of Dorotas Wildcat and Limini was always going to be tough to pass. Gaytime Teco got closest, but Droichead Nua stayed on well to score the Newbridge Racing Syndicate by a length in 29.55. there was just a half length to Grouchos Frank in third.
A SLICK RUN FROM SANCTUARY
Slick Sanctuary had uncharacteristically missed the kick in his two previous outings ahead of his run in Heat 3, but his many followers hadn’t a moment’s concern after the strapping son of Droopys Sydney and Susie Sapphire broke fastest to dictate from the opening yards.
Under the care of Karol Ramsbottom for Keith Allsop, the high-class tracker proceeded to make all for a comfortable two and a half length victory over the staying on Highview Excel in 29.64. Microchip was second for much of the way only to finish a half length third.
Undercard
FEATHER WINS ON RETURN
Droopys Feather looked a potential superstar on debut last March but hadn’t been seen on the track since.
She made a winning return after seasonal rest in the second race and doubled her tally, although she may have been a touch lucky.
Only third early after a slow start, she rode a bump before being left in front at halfway as the leaders clashed. More Readies went in chase and closed to the line but Droopys Feather had enough about her to hold on by a half length in 28.60.
Trained by Robert Gleeson for Kieran Grant, it was clear the daughter of Droopy Addition and Droopys Alyssa needed the run and don’t be surprised if she goes considerably faster when next seen.
PICKLES SHINES IN OPENER
The Michael O’Donovan trained Coosane Pickles produced yet another powerful display to bring her career tally to thirteen wins in the opener over 575yds.
Ballymac Agatha slipped around in front but Coosane Pickles was in her slipstream and moved to the front before the third turn. Once doing so, Clement Ryan’s daughter of Droopys Sydney and Droopys Pickles eased on to beat the running on Bockos Sapphire by four lengths in 31.11.