BOLD SHOWING FROM IRISH BUT NO SUCCESS AT NOTTINGHAM

Ian Fortune

The trio of Irish runners ran their hearts out at Nottingham on Monday night but couldn’t quite get to the front.

Ballymac Ralf, Daleroad Magic and Magical Marty flew the flag for these shores and all three ran with great credit but ultimately ran into two superb winners in Underground Gold and Annadown Warrior.

RALF GOT NO RUN EARLY

Garry Dempsey knew his fate early in the Select Stakes with Ballymac Ralf quickly running out of room on the run to the turn.

After further traffic on the bend, he was left high and dry as they entered the back straight.

Great credit must go to the English Derby finalist for running on late to snatch third but there was no stopping his future kennel companion Underground Gold. The son of Callaway Pro Am and Droopys Charm got loose into the bend and went on to see off Romeo Tomcat by four and a half lengths in 29.24. Ballymac Ralf was just a length adrift in third.

MAGIC AND MARTY SECOND AND THIRD IN PUPPY CLASSIC

Earlier on the card, both Daleroad Magic and Magical Marty ran big races for Pat Guilfoyle in the final of the ARC Puppy Classic, finishing second and third.

The writing was on the wall from early with Annadown Warrior breaking fast from four to move to the front.

On the outside of the track, Daleroad Magic and Magical Marty also went up well but could only turn second and third. Daleroad Magic pressed the leader down the back straight and around the last two turns but Annadown Warrior is very strong and he powered up the home straight to win by a length and three parts in a rapid 28.93. Daleroad Magic ran a race packed with promise in second, while Magical Marty finished almost five lengths further back in third.