SOL AND PEGGY LAND ANN CHEEVERS SEMIS AT GALWAY

Peter Farrell

The highlight of last night’s Galway card were the two semi finals of the Ann Cheevers Memorial A5 525 and there was very little to separate the winners ahead of next week’s €1,500 to the winner decider.

In the opening semi final, Adamant Sol doubled his career tally for Seamus and John Rainsford. A 3/1 shot at the off, Adamant Sol broke smartly from trap six and she never saw another tail thereafter. Setting a strong gallop down the back, the daughter of Ballymac Best and Badminton Baby swung wide off the final turn but she was still four and three quarter lengths too strong for When We Dream crossing the line. The time was 29.26 .20s as Peteles Countess claimed the final qualification spot back in third.

In the second semi, Lissatouk Peggy also made every post a winner as she landed a maiden victory for James McMahon. Running from trap three, the brindle came away racing and once in front, she took her chance well. Mr Quiz Answer played his part in keeping the leader honest as he made up monstrous ground to finish a narrow second; however, Lissatouk Peggy was still a length better off crossing the winning line. The time for the 5/2 shot was 29.24 .20s as Lexis Cleo took third.

575 ACTION

Elsewhere on the card, there were a series of 575-yard contests and it was Ballygraigue Jim who went quickest with a very polished performance. Running from trap one, the son of Silverhill Shay and Newlawn Minnie went to boxes as the 4/5 favourite and he justified these odds with a comfortable win. Owned by Thomas and Charlie Bourke, Ballygraigue Jim flashed from traps and from here, he drew clear down the back before crossing the line four lengths clear of Moyolla Miss in second. The time was 31.56 .20s.

In the opening race of the night, Wicky Dicky (Magical Bale - Glideaway Pearl) got favourite backers off to the best possible start. Owned by Kevin Kelly, the September whelp went to traps a 5/4 chance and he took control at the penultimate bend to finish at speed and record the victory. Crossing the line just shy of six lengths clear of Newyork Syd in second, the time was 31.91 .20s.

In race four, another favourite obliged as Springlake Lad won at odds of even money. Owned and trained by Michael Carey, Springlake Lad stepped back from six bends and he never looked under threat of securing a second career win. Fast away from six, the son of Clonbrien Hero and Slippery Thelma maintained a good gallop throughout as he saw off the persistent, Ferryforth Jess, by two lengths at the winning line. The time was 31.76 .20s.

The final 575-yard contest on the night was landed by Patrick O’Loughlin-trained Flyaway Home (Ballymac Eske - Pats Black Lady). Owned by the Three-In-One syndicate, Flyaway Home was another who broke smartly wearing the striped jacket and she hit the front early to take control rounding the opener. From here, the 6/4 favourite pressed home her advantage to run out a four length winner over Millrose Brandy in second. The time was 31.72 .20s.