Goleen - February 11th 2007
This was an outstanding day's racing, enjoyed by a good crowd, which saw Deirdre Goggin just shade PatrickO'Brien for "jockey of the day." It was cold, though,
and the rain came in time for the last race. The first three races were won by a roan, and two greys - the only three of their colour in their contests. All three
impressed, as will be seen below. It seemed almost a foregone conclusion that another roan would win the Open, but it was not to be, thanks to Hilltop Tuck. The
up-coming All-Ireland now looks wide open, but the Fox will still be the one to beat.
- Grade A (Lobster Pot Cup) - 1. C. Galvin's Hilltop Tuck(Deirdre Goggin), 6/1; 2. D. O'Donoghue/J. Burchill's The Blue Fox (M. Duggan), 1/2 fav; 3. J.
Mycock's Fidlin (T. O'Leary), 6/1. 7 ran, 1/2l, 6l.
- The Blue Fox set the pace from the start. Stoneriggs Wiseman was in early contention but rounded the first turn badly. Hilltop Tuck gave chase to the leader
and stayed in that position until the run-in. Stoneriggs Wiseman looked threatening, having got back into the fray, but faded when they really got down to
business. In the closing stages, Hilltop Tuck reeled in The Blue Fox, while Fidlin's workmanlike performance landed him in third.
- Grade B (Fastnet Bar Cup) - 1. Hurley/Deasy/Keohane's Newtown Commander (A. Sweeney), 1/2 fav; 2. M. Herlihy's Do The Business (P. Hill), 10/1;
3. J. Mycock's Coalford James (Noreen McSweeney),4/1. 6 ran, 10l, 1L.
- Newtown Commander truly impressed in this. He led from the start, saw off all comers, and just to make sure, opened up the distance when the post was in
sight. Do The Business was not disgraced in this, as I think he cast a shoe at some stage, while Coalford James got going in time to take third. Newcomer,
Southbrook Stanley, looked dangerous for a while, but faded and may have needed the race.
- Golden Mile (Twins Memorial Trophy) - 1. Shanahan/Hayes/Whelton's He's The Man (Noreen McSweeney), 1/2 fav; 2. P. O'Donovan's Coalford
Connection (P. Hill),5/1; 3. C. O'Sullivan's Travis (Deirdre Goggin), 5/1. 7 ran, 8l, 3l.
- There was no mystery in this race as He's The Man was in charge from the start and won easily. Coalford Connection ran his best race to date, while Travis
was disappointing.
- Grade C (O'Meara'a Bar Cup) - 1. 1. Margaret Melvin/P. O'Brien's Frisco Lady (P. O'Brien), 2/1; 2. D. & J. O'Donovan's Creategold (M. Duggan),
4/1; 3. G. Cooke's Direct Rocket (A. Sweeney), 4/1. 4 ran, 8l,10l.
- Frisco Lady led from the start. She was chased throughout by Creategold, while Greyfoot (1/2 fav.) slipped up on the slope after the second turn.
- Grade D (Alex Hamilton Memorial Cup) - 1. M. O'Brien's Commander Matt (P. O'Brien), 2/1; 2. T. Doyle's The Punisher (J. Sheehy), 1/2 fav; 3. S. J.
Jennings' Lakeside Gold (P. Hill), 6/1. 8 ran, 2l, 6l.
- The Punisher led until he was overhauled in the closing stages. Tina's Dream kept in close touch throughout most. Lakeside Gold, which looks to be
improving, was briefly in second behind The Punisher. But with 1f to go, it was the grey Commander Matt which moved up into second and simply wore
down The Punisher. An impressive performance.
- Grade E - 1. Michelle Sheehan's Current Supreme (M. Duggan), 6/1; 2. G. Cooke's Jesse James (A. Sweeney), 1/2 fav; 3. J. Helen's OC (Owner), 4/1.
7 ran, 1 1/2l, 2l.
- This was a well-deserved win for Current Supreme, which led from the start. Jesse James should go one better soon, while the well fancied Cam's Beauty
never looked happy and was pulled up around half-way.
- Novice - 1. J. Manning's Blue Campari (Deirdre Goggin), 1/4 fav; 2. D. McCarthy's Nana Moon (D. McCarthy), 3/1; 3. A. Hamilton's Ebony Jane (M.
Duggan), 6/1. 5 ran, 7l, 10l.
- The roan Blue Campari showed herself to be a true star in this. Just after a false start was called, she slipped up and unseated her rider. After a delay, the
race was re-started. Nana Moon led until half-way, when Blue Campari took it up. Ebony Jane showed signs of improvement while Teadies Dream (4th)
did not handle the first turn well..