PROMISING YOUNGSTERS LIGHT UP SHELBOURNE
Ian Fortune
Tuesday’s card at Shelbourne Park provided a platform for a few nice youngsters to take their first steps to potential stardom with each of the three opening round winners of the November Monthly Novice ON2 525 won in superb fashion.
Graham Holland recorded a fine double with Faypoint Nemo and Outdoor Ollie both winning in fine style, while Francie Murray landed the remaining heat with the exciting Arrow Eagle. All three gave the impression they will go onto much bigger and better things.
EXCITING NEMO IMPRESSES
Faypoint Nemo went fastest in Heat 2.
A member of the talented Dorotas Wildcat/ Faypoint Maureen litter, he was in charge from the opening yards and proceeded to pull right away despite showing signs of greenness on the turn.
Despite a slight wobble on the corner, he entered the back straight with almost four lengths in hand and that was as close as his rivals would get. Max Bandit gave chase in second but Faypoint Nemo was relentless.
Pulling further and further clear, he hit the line nine and a half lengths clear of Max Bandit in 28.34. Private Star was four and a half lengths further back in third. the winner is clearly very talented and Patricia Flanagan can start mapping out an ambitious campaign for her star.
OLLIE COMPLETES HOLLAND BRACE
Graham Holland completed his double with Michael Hennessy’s Outdoor Ollie.
A son of Magical Bale and outdoor Roller, the March ’25 whelp was sent to traps a 1-2 favourite and he duly obliged. Leading from the start after a slick exit, Outdoor Ollie eased on to beat a persistent Twilight Prince by five lengths in 28.60. Brad Pitbull ran on well to take third, just a short head away.
EAGLE SHOWS REAL PROMISE
Arrow Eagle went somewhat slower in the remaining heat but was no less impressive for Francie and Francis Murray.
Despite a tardy start, the well bred son of Ballymac Cashout and Great Intention was quickly in contention, showing fine speed into the bend to track Crafty I Do.
Forced to steer a middle line, on the outside of Craft I Do, he lost ground around the turn but was still within striking distance as they hit the back straight. Showing superb pace down the back straight, Arrow Eagle went to the front into the third bend. He quickly built a two-length advantage before containing the rallying Crafty I Do by three parts of a length in 28.77. It seems safe to suggest the winner will go considerably faster in the very near future.
DEVALERA LANDS FEATURE
In terms of monetary value, the final of the Shelbourne Regulars A2/A3 525 was the feature and Devalera ran out a ready winner.
Trained by Marie Gilbert for Bary Whelan and Aidan Comerford, the son of Droopys Syney and Susie Sapphire was only fourth into the bend but stayed close to the fence to move second behind early leader Wiffens Gold.
Charging down the back straight, the strapping Devalera took charge at halfway and went on to win by five lengths from Wiffens Gold in 28.81.
JAMIE’S TREBLE
Jamie Magee also had a memorable night, sending out no fewer than three winners.
Gizmo Return got the ball rolling in the opener with the son of Hawkfield Ozark and Beepers Grace leading early to win in 28.86.
Mongys Grace flew home to take the fifth race on the card. Owned by CA and RL Ramus, the daughter of Deerjet Sydney and Banter Breeze got up on the run in to win by three lengths in 29.05.
The hat trick was completed in the finale with Michael and Gerry Connors’ Hawkfield Derby getting the better of Badminton Brahms. Both went up strongly but Hawkfield Derby edged on at the second turn. The son of Dorotas Wildcat and Hawkfield Mia proceeded o make all thereafter to contain the best efforts of his rival by a half length in 28.79.