ACE AND AVTAR IMPRESS IN DANNY CORKERY MEMROIAL A3-A4 SEMI FINALS

Barry Drake

OAKFRONT ACE (Malachi-Scallywag) went quickest on the clock in the semi-finals of the €5,000 to the winner Danny Corkery Memorial A3-A4 stake at Curraheen Park on Saturday night.

The 6-4 joint-favourite produced a dream start from trap four, quickly moving six or seven lengths clear of Mumhan Ri, with another couple of lengths back to Mumhan Ri in third place. The winner had clocked a stunning 3.28 sectional, and he needed every bit of it late on, as the Burgess runner came from the clouds to make it very tight late on. Ace, just an April puppy, is a very exciting prospect, and he clocked 28.71 to make it back-to-back winning performances. Burgess Speedy was just a head back, with four lengths back to Mumhan Ri in third place.

Glencroft Avatar (1) (Droopys Flytline-Droopys Avatar) took the opening semi-final for trainer Aaron O'Hanlon and owner Mark Flood. Path To Power came away racing from trap two, but the 4-7 winning favourite was always in the mix, in behind in second. Hitting the front between the final corners. Avatar stayed on best to land the spoils. Three and a half lengths the margin, in 28.90, with the impressive winner making it four wins on the bounce. Kevinsfort Rusty finished half a length behind the runner-up in third.

In the opening heat of the Laurels Restaurant ON1 Stake semi-final, Ballymac Perris (Ballymac Finn-Ballymac Cams) made a smart winning debut for Liam Dowling. The even-money shot, an April puppy, delivered a fine winning performance from the outside of the track. At the line, he was seven lengths clear of Danish Doll, in 28.43.

In the second heat, Newbrook Gold (4) (Swords Rex-Danish Robyn) was another to deliver a most impressive front-running winning performance. Owned by Kenny Glen, the March puppy, a 1-2 shot was in front throughout, coming home seven lengths clear of Blackstone Jade, in 28.59.

In the third, an A3 575, it was all about Danish Doug (Swords Rex-Danish Robyn) for the Slattery Family Syndicate. The 6-4 winner was quickest into stride from trap three; soon clear, it was quickly game over. All one-way traffic up front, the March puppy cruised to a 31.27 winning success, four and a half lengths clear of Johnstown Terry.

Without a win in five previous outings, Bregogue Allie (Hawkfield Ozark-Swift Neve) got off the mark for the first time in race number four, an A1. In the mix early from the inside of the track, she displayed big speed on the back straight to lead, and the 2-1 winner got the better of Sleedagh Charm, by two lengths, in 29.04.

In the closing race, Timmys Bucks (2) (Burgess Bucks-Trusted Exile) produced one of his flying finishes to deny hot favourite Bushpark Lennie, winning at odds of 3-1 for Tim Cliffe. Normally a slow starter, Timmys Bucks led early, but it was soon joined by Bushpark Lennie. The last-named was getting on top between the final corners, but as always, Bucks flew up the home straight and got the verdict, by the shortest of margins, in 28.72. (AA0)

In the fifth, an S0/S1 sprint, Sleek Bert (Grangeview Ten-Sleek Dreams) ran out a smart winner for Christopher Roche. The 4-1 winner displayed plenty of speed throughout from the inside of the track, winning in 17.78, two lengths clear of Knockglass Joe.

Race eight, an A1 550, went the way of Kevinsfort Trump (Ballymac Cashout-Kevinsfort Tiger) for trainer Paraic Campion and owner Peadar Kinane. The 3-1 winner took control early from trap two, and he soon put the race to bed up front. Powering clear down the back straight, it was a fantastic winning performance, seven lengths clear of Peroni Turbo, in 29.87.

The ninth, an A0, was won by Kittys Turbo (3) (Roaming Turbo-Kittys Buddy) for John Coleman and Fintan Murray. The 3-1 winner came away well, and she was in the mix early. Noon Ballad, the 2-5 favourite, found all sorts of trouble at the opening corners, and the winner took full advantage. A 28.92 winning display, a length and a half clear of Broken Best.