Music sings loud Derby tune at Nenagh Coursing meeting

A perennial standard bearer within the sport, Nenagh Coursing Club again staged a stellar renewal of their annual meeting in Ballycommon last weekend and concluding on Sunday afternoon to parting clouds for thrilling finals, trainer Pat Guilfoyle kept the precious classic ticket for the 2024 Derby on home soil as he guided Bob Shanahan’s Music Blaring (Kyle Mozart-Magical Sonia) to a hugely impressive victory in the Dog Trial Stake.

Immediately setting the standard when fastest in his opening course on Saturday, the March pup was building on the smart impression he left when reaching semi-final stage at Glin and fastest in every round, Music Blaring qualified for the National Meeting when leading throughout a half-length defeat of Danger Within in a most game victory. With sharp early pace and gaining his ticket at an ideal stage of the season, Music Blaring is an exciting local runner to look forward to at the festival.

The host club had high hopes of also collecting the Oaks ticket when Michael & PJ Cooney’s Get Lucky (Blades Of Hope-Well Friend) went to slips for that Trial Stake final but ceding victory, it was past club member Eugene Glennon who claimed classic qualification with Coolree Driver (Wi Can There-Coolree Dove).

Proving the toughest duo in the event on heavy underfoot conditions, it was the Offaly charge who prevailed with three lengths to spare, and a strong running February pup, Coolree Driver looks an ideal type to relish the unique demands of Powerstown Park come the first weekend in February.

Concluding the meeting, the final of the prestigious Six To Five All Age Cup saw the title, and Champion Stakes points, head for Limerick as the Boherlode Syndicate’s Boherlode Mozart (Kyle Mozart-Alvor) proved strongest throughout the event. Fastest in each round of the sixteen-runner event, the winner was claiming his first Cup success when containing Danger Within by a length in a competitive final showdown.