AN EPIC DISPLAY IN ISLANDBRIDGE

Ian Fortune

Epic Ace and Sogna Ancora both impressed in the semi-finals of the Islandbridge Open Sprint at Shelbourne Park on Friday night with the former taking the headlines after an incredible finish to the opening heat.

Stonepark Browne seemed destined to race to an impressive success when flying into the corner to assert from the fast-starting Mind Your Mind. A couple of lengths to the good at the turn, Stonepark Browne was going to take some stopping but Epic Ace was up to the task.

Showing big pace into the turn after a moderate start, he would go second before setting his sights on the leader. In an incredible finish, Epic Ace absolutely flew up the straight to join Stonepark Browne in the closing yards. The pair flashed past the line locked in battle but the verdict went to the Pat Guilfoyle trained Epic Ace.

John Kennedy’s brilliant son of Signet Ace and Free From Desire would win by a short head in a rapid 18.47. Stonepark Browne ran a huge race in defeat with Southwind Wild finishing five lengths further adrift in third.

EXCITING ANCORA MAKES IT FIVE FROM FIVE

Jack Kennelly and the Swedish House Party Syndicate can continue to dream with their unbeaten star Sogna Ancora.

He made it five wins from five career starts in the second semi-final. Others may have broken faster but none would move as well into the turn as the son of Grangeview Ten and Terezas Mendoza.

Heathlawn Best came in as a reserve into trap one and displayed real professionalism to race prominently. He was fastest into stride and led early but Sogna Ancora mastered him into the opening bend. Road Exile improved his position at this point to chase Sogna Ancora but there was no stopping the flying brindle.

Sogna Ancora would go on to beat Road Exile and Heathlawn Best by a length and a half and three lengths in 18.62.

Islandbridge Open Sprint

Final draw

1 HEATHLAWN BEST

2 STONEPARK BROWNE

3 SOGNA ANCORA

4 ROAD EXILE (M)

5 EPIC ACE (M)

6 SOUTHWIND WILD (M)