FOUR ON THE BOUNCE FOR MUSIC INTHE AIR IN LEE STRAND FINAL
Barry Drake
MUSIC INTHE AIR (Ballymac Cashout-Nocturnal Hekla) made it four straight wins in the final of the €10,000 to the winner A3 Lee Strand Final on Friday night.
Trained by Patrick Guilfoyle for owners the Pension Plan Syndicate, the 8-15 favourite produced a decent start from trap four and he displayed nice early speed, driving a great opening corner to just slip around in front. Ballymac Scheff turned second, with Charbel back in third, and it was game on heading down the back straight.
The classy winner was strong in front; he kept finding that bit more at the head of affairs, and he stormed up the home straight to hold the running-on Ballymac Scheff, by a length, in 29.57. A further two and a half lengths back to Ballymac Charbel in third place.
Pictured: Lee Strand Chairman Ronan Savage making the winning presentation to owner Bob Shanahan from the Pension-Plan-Syndicate following Music In The Air's win in the Lee Strand 550 Final with trainer Patrick Guilfoyle, Teresa Walker Lee Strand, John O'Keeffe, Kieran Casey & Heather Hartley KGS and delighted family & friends of winning owner Bob Shanahan.
******
CALLAWAY PRO AM @ STUD RACE OF CHAMPIONS
The opening three heats in the €15,000 to the winner Callaway Pro Am @ Stud Race of Champions produced some outstanding racing.
In the opening heat, with two to progress into next week's final, Solo And Go (Ballymac Best-Ballymac Minton), trained by Liam Dowling for owners the Kingdoms Palace Syndicate, exploded from trap three to make all the running. Favourite Bouncing Monarch turned second, but there was no stopping the 3-1 winner up front.
Ballycowen Frank made eye-catching late headway to get within a short head, in 29.39. Two and a half lengths back to Bouncing Monarch in third place.
In the second heat, Swords Style (Grangeview Ten-Emers Sally) impressed when coming away racing from trap three to make all the running for trainer Graham Holland and owner Barbara Lowndes.
Flying from trap three early, the 6-5 favourite flew down the back straight in control and kept on well to beat the fast finishing Glengar Silent. The second missed the kick badly and displayed massive pace and power to get so close. A length and a half the margin, in 29.54.
In the third and final heat, Jacktavern Turbo (Droopys Sydney-Queen Lilly) scored for trainer Pat Buckley and owners the Pillar Syndicate. Breaking well from trap three, the 10-1 outsider was brave at the opening corners, getting on the rails ahead of Grouchos Gregor. Once in front, the outcome was never in any doubt. Staying on powerfully, the winner came home three and a half lengths clear of Hunters Pilot, in 29.49.
DRAW FOR RACE OF CHAMPIONS FINAL
1 SOLO AND GO
2 BALLYCOWEN FRANK
3 JACKTAVERN TURBO
4 HUNTERS PILOT
5 SWORDS STYLE
6 GLENGAR SILENT