BLACKNOSE GIVING KIP A WELCOME PROBLEM

Ian Fortune

Yesterday we spoke of the impressive Friday night debut of Chancellors Link at Dundalk but he wasn’t the only impressive debut winner at the Dowdallshill venue on the night. Indeed, speaking with Kip McCloskey yesterday afternoon, he has had a good complaint since his hugely promising Blacknose Celt raced to a fastest of the night 21.24 in the ON1 third race on the card.

A well bred son of Ballymac Bolger and Blacknose Molly, the July ’22 whelp looked hugely promising as he left his rival standing. Despite racing from a very tricky inside draw, he displayed superb acceleration to hit the front in the opening yards before bounding further and further clear to eventually win by almost nine lengths.

It was a most taking display and one that has seen Kip field a number of calls in recent days. It really is a good complaint and it’s looking more and more likely they will let the talented youngster go if the right offer comes in. The fact that he had qualified in a rapid 28.77 around Dundalk is also a bonus given the fact that he looks certain to stay four bends well.

It’s not the only member of the litter to attract attention, however. McCloskey confirmed that he has also been fielding plenty of calls about a litter brother to Blacknose Celt. Blacknose Dara is a dog plenty have heard about after some hugely impressive qualifying trials.

A 28.76 spin at Shelbourne last month was followed on Friday evening with a sizzling 18.67 sprint trial at Dundalk, which is just three lengths slower than the track record of Blame The Game. But when will we see Blacknose Dara in action.

Said Kip, “We’ve already turned down some big offers for him. We want to see him race before we consider the ‘right’ offers but it’s been difficult to even get him a race. There were a couple of ON1s advertised at Dundalk recently but they didn’t fill so we might have to go down country. He’s a real dog so we’re in no rush.”

Kip is also well aware that litters like this don’t come around too often. On Sunday evening, a litter sister to the pair, Easy Cara, won at Lifford in a rapid 28.61, while every member of the litter with the exception of the unraced Blacknose Dara have won at least once.