YORKIE OLLIE RETURNS TO TOP FORM IN FEATURE OPEN 575 DECIDER

Barry Drake

YORKIE OLLIE, trained by Graham Holland for owners Michael Hennessy and Adrian Sheils, Birr, returned to top form when delivering a top-class performance to win the €5,000 to the winner Elite Contracting Design Open 575 Final at Curraheen Park on Saturday night.

The 5-1 shot produced his best start on the night that mattered, and once he led around, he was always going to take serious catching. Powering down the back, he quickly moved nicely clear as the others came together in behind. All one-way traffic up front, the super talented tracker beat the running on Da Dapper Flynn, by five and a half lengths, in 30.95. A great event over the last couple of weeks, kindly sponsored by Eoin Ivers.

Sponsor Eoin Ivers making the winning presentation to Michael Hennessy after Yorkie Ollie won the €5,000 to winner Elite Contracting Design Open 575.

Champion trainer Graham Holland was also on target with Bushpark Cathal in the fifth, winning the €1,000 to the winner Michael O’Driscoll Auto Repairs Dual Distance. The 4-6 favourite took over from Jade One at the opening corners, and he displayed big pace up front. A comfortable success, clocking 31.67, two and a half lengths clear of Jade One.

Blastoff Ann, for John Gaine, Mallow, came out on top in the €1,500 to the winner One All A4/A5 Stake. Driving a great opening corner to lead from Turbine Tigress, the impressive winner kicked for home on the back straight. Strong up front, the 4-1 winner beat Turbine Tigress, by two and a half lengths, in 29.16. This was kindly sponsored by Lee Craze and the CPSC.

Bregogue Rebel came away racing to make all the running in the opener, winning the €700 to the winner Happy Christmas From All @ Curraheen Park A6 Stake for Pat Noonan, Buttervant. The 6-4 favourite came home seven and a half lengths clear of Small Order, in 29.09.

Trained by Tom O’Neill for the Cuile Line Syndicate, Charleville, Lemon Maverick took the second, an A4, winning the €800 Christmas Party Nights Stake. The 6-4 favourite took up the running at the opening corner, and from there, the outcome was never in any doubt, in 29.32.

Reserve runner Goulane Elvis looked in total control heading down the back in the third, the €750 to the winner Santa Claus Is Coming To Town A5 525 Final, but it was Tidy Up Miley, for Jamie and William Lilley, Doneraile, who finished best to land the spoils, in 29.66. The May puppy, a 5-4 shot, got the better of the longtime leader by a length.

Waughs Man, for Leon and George Waugh, Bandon, made all to win race eight, an A2, in 29.20. The 2-1 winner proved two lengths too strong for Millridge Jayden. A fine front-running winning display in the €500 event, sponsored by Donal & Mary Ross in association with the CPSC.

It was all about Valleys Angel in the closing race. The well-backed even money favourite led all the way, in 28.87, winning for trainer Pay Kiely and owners the Thirteen Hurlers On The Ditch Syndicate. (A1). A 13th career success in the €500 one off race, sponsored by TIME.