Drimoleague - July 14th 2008
Drimoleague Race Committee is to be congratulated on its organization of this meeting. The weather could have been worse and on the whole, there seemed to be
a big crowd. Drimoleague set the standard last year and continued it today. The dog show was thronged; the small children had a great time in the sandbox; the
barbecue was divine; the music great; the bar only too tempting. Its racecard is yet another step ahead. The only quibble is that Tim Kelleher's lively commentary
was, unfortunately, indistinct, if you were on the rail. There were complaints about this, but it seems that reception was perfect in the horsebox parking area. So
only a little tweaking is needed.
- All-Ireland Saddle Championship (Timothy & Catherine O'Reilly Perpetual Cup) - 1. Kelleher Bros/J. Power's Flashdance (F. Quill jnr), 5/4 fav; 2. S.
Cronin/D. Daly's Home Ambrose (J. Goggin), 6/1; 3. Breda Shanahan's Dream's Place (M. O'Reilly), 4/1; 4. A. Hamilton's Disraeli Quest (Caroline
O'Sullivan), 5/1. 9 ran, 2l, 3l. NR: Zidane, Mr. Dow Jones
- Really, the way he ran, no one was going to beat Flashdance today. He broke at the start, while Matty and Quest set the pace. They went on like that, with
Ambrose in touch. Halfway around the second-last lap, Flash started moving and got up to 3rd. From there, he forged clear in time to lead them into the last
circuit. Rounding for home, Ambrose challenged, and so did Dream, but he went off stride briefly. Oakview Flash finished fifth, ahead of Matty.
- Well done to all here, and in particular, his likeable young jockey.
- Grade C & D Saddle (Acorn Life Perpetual Cup): 1. Quill Bros's Sable Decision (S. Quill), 6/4; 2. P. Hayes's Spankos Boy (Noreen McSweeney), 1/3
fav; 3. L. O'Regan's Brywins Charvis (J. O'Reilly), 4/1. 6 ran, 1/2l, 1/2l. NR:
- Ayr Storm, Hello Fella
- Mischief was first to show, but Cole's Decision soon took it up. Spankos gave chase and they went head-to-head for a bit. Halfway around the last,
Charvis was in charge but Sable had, by then, finally stirred herself. She kept going and the rest had no answer.
- Open Handicap Final (Costcutter Cup) - 1. Dunmanway Racing Club's Sharpe (Noreen McSweeney), 5/2; 2. M. O'Donovan's What A Man (Owner),
4/1; 3. K. O'Connell's Midnight Mover (Owner), 4/1. 6 ran, 2l, 1/2l.
- Sharpe loves this kind of track and it showed. He also seemed to love his driver. She waited with him, only pouncing on long time leader, Mover, on the
straight. What A Man was always in touch and will strip fitter next time.
- Free-For-All (James O'Driscoll Memorial Cup): 1. S. Quill's Stoneriggs Wizard (T. Murphy), 5/1; 2. F. Quill's Tom's The Man (D. Murphy), 5/4 fav; 3.
Kelleher Bros/J. Power's Swingman (M. Kelleher), 2/1. 7 ran, nk, nk. Note: Briwyns Best Scoot also ran in this.
- This Free-For-All turned into a free for all. They all had a chance. Joe led them off, Dream was briefly in front until Joe took over again. Starting the second
lap, Chief powered up to take command. Heading for the last, Swingman was in charge. Dream tussled briefly with him, while Wiz got closer. Tom came to
attention again and went with Wiz when he reeled in Swingman and Dream.
- Class 015/024: 1. T. Murphy's Coalford Victory (Owner), 4/5 fav; 2. J. O'Donovan's Bonkerstotallynuts (Owner), 2/1; 3. D. Delaney's Mister Hill (J.
Sheehy), 2/1. 5 ran, 1L, 1 1/2l. NR: Peakes Pretender, Stoneriggs Quail
- Vic showed his mastery here. Trotter, Only Still, broke when the others began to wear down her advantage. Bonkers led then but Vic was only waiting and
settled the issue in a few strides on the run-in.
- Class 003/010: 1. Dunmanway Racing Club's Sharpe (Noreen McSweeney), 3/1; 2. M. O'Donovan's What A Man (Owner), 2/1; 3. N. Forbes's Crown
Direct (P. Forbes), 2/1. 5 ran, 2l, 1L.
- Red Cam was in charge for most but lost gait at a critical stage. Sharpe was waited with, while Man left his challenge late. Hillside Dream never seemed to
get into it.
- Class 000/002: 1..K. O'Connell's Midnight Mover (Owner), 1/2 fav; 2. MTC Racing's Free Spirit (J. McSweeney), 2/1; 3. K. Moyles's Rebecca's Baron
(Owner), 3/1. 5 ran, nk, 2l. NR: Stoneriggs UK
- Mover led from the start while Spirit came with a late run that called for the camera to divide them.
- Three-Year-Olds: 1. J. Shanahan's Lakeview Lobelle (Noreen McSweeney), 1/3 fav; 2. Amy O'Reilly/Tony Enright's Ship's Cruiser (Amy O'Reilly), 4/1;
3. D. Delaney's Oakview Regal (K. Sheehy), 5/1. 4 ran, 10l, 15l. NR: Cheeky Chappy, Supreme Hall.
- Lobelle led from the start. Cam Ocean broke early on, due to possible interference but a stewards' enquiry left results as they stood. It is a pity to see an
age race like this with only four in it. Lobelle would probably have won anyway, no matter how many were in it.
- Novice/Improver/Intermediate: 1. J. Shanahan's Lakeview Security (J. Shanahan), 7/4; 2. R. Cleary/W. Jones's Artefact (M. O'Mahony), 6/4 fav; 3. C.
O'Leary/N. Hurley's The Buachaill (M. Goggin), 2/1. 7 ran, 1/2l, 1/2l. NR: East Town Angel
- Security was only unleashed in the closing stages. Buachaill tried to make every step of the way and was only collared at the line.
- Maidens - Div 1: 1. P. Kelly's Sands Musical (Owner), 3/1; 2. D. Behan's Talavary Dream (Owner), 6/4; 3. J. Boyle's Glan Clettwr (Owner), 3/1. 7 ran,
1L, 4l. NR: Niceguy Tom
- Musical led from the start. She might have had to work a little harder if Dream hadn't gone off stride at a crucial late stage and if Rosette hadn't done the
same early on. Still, she looked good and deserved her win.
- Maidens - Div. 2: 1. Kelleher Bros/J. Power's Rhyds Mystery (M. Kelleher), 6/4; 2. J. Caffrey's Chesney (Owner), 3/1; 3. Quill Bros's Cam's Decision
(D. Murphy), 6/1. 7 ran, 6l, 7l. NR: City Shock
- The only surprise in this was why Mystery was only 2nd favourite (to eventual 4th Hi-Ho). Chesney made almost all but had no answer when Mystery
made his telling move. We'll be seeing a lot more of this one.