HAPPY QUICKEST, HENNESSY ON THE DOUBLE AS BART LEAHY MEMORIAL GETS UNDERWAY

Barry Drake

THE opening round of the €10,000-to-the-winner Michael (Bart) Leahy Memorial A2 stake produced some fantastic racing at Curraheen Park on Friday night.

In the opening heat, Happy Me (Grangeview Ten-Happy Dilemma) went quickest on the clock when winning for Shane and Sophie Murphy. The 4-6 favourite produced a really quick start from the inside of the track, but the super-talented performer moved middle on the run-up. Thatsagoodone was displaying big early speed, and he shot through along the inside of the track to take up the running. Three lengths the margin turning for home, it looked all over; however, Happy Me was strongest late on, getting up by a neck, in 28.49.

Leading fancy for outright glory, Half Yours (Ballymac Cashout-Cliffhanger) made it three wins from as many starts in heat number eight. Trained by Graham Holland for Pat Muldoon and Eugene Buckley, the 2-5 favourite took over soon after the opening corners, and he flew down the back straight in top gear. Oriental Diamond was catching the eye in second, running on well to get within two and a half lengths, in 28.50.

Priceless Ron (Priceless Jet-Luna Rocket) wasn't the quickest away in the second heat, but he showed massive early gears to make the corner in front. Trained by Paul Hennessy for Bryan and Kathleen Murphy, once the 4-6 favourite hit the front, the outcome was never in any doubt. Blastoff Leo kept on well in second, a length the margin, in 28.74.

In the third heat, Sleedagh Charm (Ballymac Best-Ballycowen Lola) returned to winning ways for trainer Dean Harpur and owner Kevin O'Gorman. In a great early battle with Ballymoon Rose, the 3-1 winner powered away in the closing stages, winning by four lengths, in 28.68.

Heat five went the way of Code Four (Ballymac Cashout-Ruling Pepper) for Michael Ryan. The 3-1 shot had enough early speed to win the all-important early lead, and he kept pulling out that bit more at the head of affairs. The improving Ballycowen Leah was giving it a good go in second, but the winner had all the answers up front. A length the margin, in 28.71.

In the sixth and final heat, trainer Paul Hennessy recorded a double as Ceekay Susie (Droopys Sydney-Susie Sapphire) delivered a fine performance after a 28.82 winning run on her comeback display after her seasonal return. The 4-6 favourite has plenty of early speed, and she made the most of the rails pitch to score. Flyers Penney was always within touching distance, but the winner was brave, holding on well to win, by a length and a half, in 28.82.

Overall, a fantastic opening round and it promises to be another terrific event over the next couple of weeks.

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