STUDENTS PROVIDE GREAT ATMOSPHERE IN DUBLIN

Ian Fortune

The students were on hand to provide quite an atmosphere at Shelbourne Park on Thursday night and they were also treated to some tremendous action including a couple of fine displays by the youngsters in the semi-finals of the October Monthly Novice ON2 525.

Fun Onthe Island went fastest, showing plenty of quality to win the second heat but Speed Bird also impressed when emerging on top in the opening semi.

BIRD HAS LOADS OF SPEED

Speedy Bird actually dictated the pace into the bend in the opening heat for Barry and Matthews Caul but lost his pitch when finding traffic.

Hovex Blue and Aussie Wishes went to the front at this point but neither could shake off Speed Bird.

The latter had to wait for the gaps to arrive around the last two bends, but finished with real purpose for the second week running to come through to win. The son of Droopys Flytline and Black Eyed Ruby raced to a length victory over Aussie Wishes in 29.15. Have no doubt, Speed Bird will go considerably faster in the near future.

ISLAND HAS SOME FUN

The same can be said for Fun Onthe Island. He had shown pace on debut after a slow start but he went up much faster on this occasion.

He too lost ground on the corner but charged to the front down the back straight to assert into the third turn.

Maintaining a strong galop to the line, Michael Malone’s son of Hawkfield Ozark and Love Island eased on to emerge a five length scorer over Bobby Boucher in 28.93.  

PAUL GOES FASTEST

Later on the card, My Mate Paul produced a big run to set the standard in the semi-finals of the This Runs Deep A2 575.

Representing Michael Kane and Ed Brien, the son of Tommy Shelby and Magnetism was in front from the opening strides and powered clear to win by six lengths from Train Magic in 31.55.

CASHOUT SHOWS REAL STRENGTH

The second semi saw Shelone Cashout recover from some early traffic to lead off the final bend for Pat Malone.

Swift Legend was in front turning into the back with Shelone Cashout in fifth but he quickly moved third before going second into the third turn.

Maintaining his momentum, he challenged and headed the early pace-setter off the final turn before pulling clear to win by a length from Swift Legend in 31.67.