TRAPRISE - Alice and Akay sparkle in Cesarewitch semis
A Classic which retains a special place within the kennels of Pat Guilfoyle, the Moneygall handler goes in search of a fourth SIS Irish Cesarewitch this year and following a hugely pleasing semi-final session, will be doublehanded for the final showdown as both Amazing Alice and Akay Forty Seven produced sparkling displays on Monday.
Successful with Definate Opinion in his stunning back-to-back victories in 2010 & 2011, Pat Guilfoyle added a third Cesarewitch title in 2019 with racing legend Skywalker Logan. Coming close again last season, Amazing Alice (Aero Majestic-Droopys Coast) announced herself as a true star when only losing out to a record-breaking final run from Derby runner-up Meenagh Miracle, but the Peter Sutcliffe owned bitch returned for another tilt this year and is warming to her task despite a narrow semi defeat.
Moderately to stride from Trap 2, she would chase Rioja Smasher and Ripley Lad to the back-straight but reducing her one-length deficit approaching the third bend, almost hit the front before that duo forced her to check stride. Rallying to the home-straight, Amazing Alice again joined Ripley Lad as the pair delivered a thrilling buckle with the Guilfoyle star losing out by just a neck in 33.42 (-70).
Fastest in the opening round, Alan Kelly & Sean Bourke’s Akay Forty Seven (Holdem Spy-Mustang Vienna) has relished the unique demands of Mullingar’s 600-yard test and back to winning ways in the second semi-final, the September 2018 whelp will vie for favouritism ahead of the final.
A powerful stayer at the trip, the fastest semi winner was slow to stride from Trap 1 and trailed the field in the initial exchanges but using her rails pitch to good effect around the opening bends, the Guilfoyle charge sneaked her way to a closing third at the top of the back-straight, while in chase of pacesetter Razldazl Curtis. Powering to the home straight, Akay Forty Seven had recovered her three-length deficit when striking the front on the inside and staying strongly to the line, posted a brilliant 33.23 (-70) over that same rival.
Without a final draw at time of press, the Guilfoyle duo will occupy the inside traps as the only finalists without a trap seeding and provided that they can race independently of each other, either is capable of delivering a fourth Cesarewitch for their prolific handler.
Hogan form is in sharp View
It is always prudent to take notice when Michael Hogan targets top unraced events with his most promising young prospects and taking the Kilkenny Champion Unraced Stake by storm with a brace of opening round victories on Friday, the heady days enjoyed during the wonderful careers of Grangeview Ten and Grangeview West appear back on the horizon once more!
Again, with progeny of Tony Fahy’s prolific dam Portumna West, this latest litter are by sire Ballymac Best and as such, harbour the potential of Michael’s astounding classic winner Grangeview Ten. Igniting the prestigious novice event from the opening heat at Kilkenny, joint-fastest first round winner Grangeview Mac looks to be from the same mould.
An imposing presence at 82 lbs, the October 2019 pup was quick to reach full stride having broke well from Trap 3 and establishing a lead to the opening bends, he never sighted a rival when bounding to a five-length verdict over Coolanga Kody. Posting a brilliant 29.04 (-30), that time would not be surpassed in the following seven heats.
Not so well away from Trap 1 in the concluding heat, comrade Grangeview Tig (Ballymac Best-Portumna West) was made to work harder for victory and although slower on the clock, he was equally as impressive.
A ponderous start from Trap 1 brought more than the odd bump before bravely securing second place around the opening bends. Over three lengths adrift at the top of the back-straight, the Lorrha charge began to steadily reduce the deficit beyond halfway and ranging alongside Avongate Davy in the home-straight, swooped wide and late for a thrilling three-quarter length verdict in 29.47 (-20).
Clearly open to progress if swifter to stride next time, the 83 lb Grangeview Tig can be major player as the event continues this coming Friday, as can obvious outright contender Grangeview Mac following a wonderful opening session for the Hogan kennels.
Not content with that Friday haul, the in-form team were at it again at Limerick on Saturday when Grangeview Mags (Droopys Jet-Blastoff Khalesi) took advantage of her ease from Open class for a dominant fifth career win her A1 525 contest.
Battling bravely for a first bend lead amidst a tightly packed field from Trap 4, the October 2018 whelp struck the front around the opening bends and completed a comfortable victory with four and a half lengths to spare over Barneys Road in 28.83.
Local kennels featured prominently among the winners at Thurles again this week with four smart victories to cheer as Maureen Mounsey’s Patterdale Liam (Minor Mike-Minor Winner) commenced the celebrations with a facile score in his second career outing.
Catching the eye in his debut second, the September 2019 pup found an improved start in the A8 525 this time when benefitting for that previous experience and in command to the opening bend, completed a dominant fourteen length verdict in a smart 29.58 (-20). Still open to further progression, he looks a very bright prospect indeed.
Next to enter the winner’s circle on the night, the Toomevara-6-Syndicate’s Millbank Pixie (Droopys Cain-Olivias Pixie) gained overdue reward for her consistent career start when claiming the S7 330-yard event in game fashion.
Second in four of her five previous starts, the December 2018 whelp displayed smart early pace following just a moderate break from Trap 1 and securing command of the rails at the opening bend, effectively settled the race on the run to the home straight. Repelling the late threat of a fast-finishing rival, Millbank Pixie posted 18.13 (-10) with a neck to spare in a most deserved maiden victory.
Rounding off the Saturday haul at Thurles, the Knockalton kennels of John Byrne registered an impressive double with the hugely likeable Meduza (Good News-Jaytee Osprey) getting back to winning ways in the A1 525.
Last successful in the same grade at Limerick in February, John Meelam & Sean Ryan’s February 2019 whelp trailed the field following a poor start from Trap 2 but crucial racing room on the inside when tackling the opening turns saw the Byrne charge advance past rivals on the approach to the backstraight. Impressive to the closing bends, Meduza struck the front beyond halfway and powering to the line, thereafter, registered a cosy two-length verdict in a very smart 28.93 (-20).
A double for connections would be completed in the following A5 525 when John Meelam’s Courty Girl (Laughil Blake-Killaheen Queen) progressed for her two previous career starts, shedding her maiden tag at the third attempt. Establishing a lead to the first bend when swift to stride from Trap 3, the promising October 2019 pup displayed a willing attitude throughout when fending off her nearest rival by half a length at the line in 29.37.