This Bull Is Bolting

Bull Run Bolt continued his unbeaten run in this year’s Dublin Coach Juvenile Derby with a fabulous 28.47 win in last week’s semi-final.

He is now four from four around course and distance which cements his position at the head of the market. This son of Lenson Bolt and Lough Maeve is running the circuit like a dream and for a dog who isn’t blessed with early pace, he looks to have unbelievable track craft. It’s a great asset to have on your side, especially around the first two bends at Harold’s Cross.

Trap Three Droopys King set the speed in the opening semi-final leading to the bend from Mustang Kasco and Bull Run Bolt, but he was only a sitting duck off the second turn as the Bolt drew alongside him down the back. The cheers went up in the stands from the favourite backers as he really opened up onto the third corner.

Mustang Kasco has no stamina problems but had no answers to Bolt as he lengthened clear up the home straight. Coolio came from the clouds to claim second place from Kasco back in third.

The second semi-final was a very scrappy affair. Droopys Jock took a flyer from Trap Six to lead up from Drive On Razor and Postman Sam who were pacing up well in second and third. As Jock turned the opening bend in front there was serious bother in behind.

The jolly Droopys Wilbury missed the kick which meant he trailed the field into the bend. He was lucky he did miss the kick or he would have been involved in the trouble. Wilbury did get a fair bit of a wallop but rode it perfect and found himself challenging for second place down the far side.

Jock still showed in front off the last corner but gave away ground steering a middle course while Wilbury railed like a tiger up the home straight. This won the race for Wilbury coming home a length and a half in front of his kennel companion Droopys Smasher who absolutely flew home for second place with early leader Droopys Jock back in third. The winning time was 29.16.

The draw for the final has worked out perfect for Droopys Wilbury who is drawn in Trap 2. Mustang Kasco in one and Droopys Smasher in three wouldn’t be considered smash breakers so he should lead on the inside. Bull Run Bolt will go to traps deserving favourite, he will race from 5.

Droopys Jock on his inside will be his biggest headache, this fellow can motor to the turn as we seen last week. Bolt is no doubt the stronger runner but he will have to be on his toes to avoid any trouble. Coolio will be finishing as fast as anything on the outside but might just leave himself with too much to do. Wilbury is the biggest thorn in our side but he gets the vote on the basis of the draw!

Irish St Leger
Priceless Brandy wears the yellow jersey heading into the quarter finals of the Irish St Leger at Limerick. He is now two from two at Limerick and has improved his time with each look at the circuit! What made his win last week so impressive was the way he blew Jaytee Dutch away into the third bend. Brandy ran home a three length winner over this year’s Oaks winner Witches Belle in the fastest of the night, 29.53.

He is only starting to mature now and has the makings of a serious dog next year. Next best on the clock was Ballinakill Clare from the Graham Holland kennels. This lady also remains unbeaten in the competition thus far making every post a winning one in 29.68. This speedster has 28.06 and 28.11 on her card in Shelbourne so these runs are no flash in the pans.

Highview Event provided Holland with a double as he took the third heat in 29.76. Event got a few rough races in HQ during the Derby so this win will be a huge confidence booster.

Pat Buckley enjoyed a treble in the heats, you would have to say Lenson Rocky is his team captain. Rocky worked hard to get to the front on the way to the bend before opening up down the back to win in 29.83. Coolavanny Pat (29.84) and Droopys Punk (29.83) were his other two winners.

The Burgess team of JJ Fennelly and Sheila Spillane also enjoyed a double on the night thanks to Burgess Dubh (30.18) and the extremely well bred Burgess Popeye (29.88).

The four quarter finals take place this Saturday night at Limerick and if anybody is heading down there the NAP of the night is Witches Belle.

Perfectly drawn in six, she looks to be improving all the time since she came out of season. Her run behind Priceless Brandy last week was very impressive.

Northern Lights In Cashel
With last year’s Derby winner Coolavanny Bingo retired to stud I have no doubt that True North was the most popular dog in this season’s fantasy coursing list. North only had two outings last season.

He won one of the most competitive trials stakes last season in Listowel and went on to reach the semi-final of the Derby losing out to eventual winner Coolavanny Bingo. He looks to be head and shoulders above his rivals here and the maestro Michael O’Donovan will have this lad well prepared for the occasion and rarely leaves Cashel empty handed.

Of his closest rivals, Delightful Babe looks to certainly be one to meet him in the semi-final. At the top of the draw Stephens Owen ran a blinder here two years ago. He is a third season campaigner now but if he brings his running from the Irish Cup to the table then he should make it to the final.

Over in Westmeath United the Belsize Cup takes centre stage. There was serious word for Im From Rio before he ever ran last season and although he won first time out in East Donegal he didn’t really live up to all the hype. The break over the summer months might have helped this Cathal McGee trained runner and he can make a winning return here.

Bingo Star could be one to keep an eye on at the top of the draw. Last year’s Derby favourite Blueview Rio makes a return to action here also. He is actually a litter brother to our selection Im From Rio. Blueview failed to sparkle at the National Meeting but this field could suit him better. From his early running last season he looked to be a bullet from slips.

Killucan Rose and Dale Sansa will have an interesting battle at the bottom of the draw. Overall I think the final will be between the two litter brothers with Im From Rio just getting the vote.

Kyle Bruce looks the stand out runner in the James Curran & Ned Quinn All Age at Regional.

I know he is a third season runner but he wouldn’t be back running if connections thought he wasn’t up to his best. This lad is a real speedster on his day so if he is anyway near his best he can give this a good rattle.

Turbo Ashmore went down in the notebook after his win in the Puppy Stake at the Irish Cup meeting. His breed improve with age so he can be Bruce’s biggest stumbling block at the bottom of the draw. The top of the draw looks a pure lottery but Cree Gaisce did enough in Liscannor to put her in the mix!