BOMBER EXPLODES TO SET BAR 1 BETTING IRISH SPRINT CUP STANDARD

Ian Fortune

For the third week running there was a different pace-setter in the Bar 1 Betting Irish Sprint Cup at Dundalk on Saturday night.

This time it was the honour of Bomber Nina to lead the way with a stunning display of sprinting in the opening quarter final as she left her rivals floundering in behind.

The remaining heats were also won in good style by Crafty Coolio, Velvet Samba and The Other Wild but none could match Bomber Nina on the clock.

BOMBS AWAY

Bomber Nina had only come into the classic as a reserve in the opening round but she certainly looks at home over the 400yd trip and was nothing short of brilliant as she flashed from traps and dominated.

Trained by Jack Kennelly for Gavin Johns, the daughter of Ballymac Bolger and Ballymac Cams exploded from trap two. It was soon evident in her fifteenth career outing, she was about to claim an eighth career success.

Comfortable clear into the bend, she was left a mile clear as Aayamza Dazzeler and Rallying Billy clashed, although the latter did come through to finish second, albeit some eight and three quarter lengths behind Bomber Nina, who stopped the clock in a sizzling 20.92. Yurty Magurty came through to take third, another four and three quarter lengths away.

SAMBA DANCES IN

Tiermana Dream was expected to continue his winning ways in Heat 2 but a very untypical slow start cost him his chance oft victory.

In contrast, Velvet Samba came away racing from the outside box for Sean Melly and proceeded to make every inch.

The son of Glengar Bale and Velvet Sprint may have edged across in the early exchanges but got the corner before coasting home two lengths clear in 21.26. Tiermana dream flew into the turn to recover from his slow start, eventually taking second, while Barefoot On Fire flew home in third another three parts of a length adrift.

COOLIO REELS IN SECRET

Montana Secret went fastest in the second round, seven days earlier, but he had to settle for second best in Heat 3 where Crafty Coolio finished at speed to get up late for Shane and Eimear Divilly.

The raw youngster has tremendous pace and strength and he used it to great effect.

Montana Secret broke smartly but took a bump after a couple of strides from the rails seeking Southwind Storm. He quickly recovered to lead on the turn but Crafty Coolio was on a charge at this point, staying wide of his rivals and carrying serious momentum into the home straight.

Powering home, Crafty Coolio again highlighted his clear promise as he got up late to score. The January ’25 son of Dorotas Wildcat and Up the Style hit the front in the closing yards to win by a half length in 21.07. Montana Secret was second and Buddy Bruno was another two and three quarter lengths away in third.

WILD REMAINS UNBEATEN IN CLASSIC

The Other Wild has had an interrupted career but it’s clear he is loving life at present with the hugely talented son of Ballymac Wild and Whitings Gift improving with each look at Dundalk.

He was at his very sharpest for Jennifer O’Donnell and the Born Wild Syndicate in the final heat as he flashed from five to maintain his unbeaten record in the classic.

Looking Splendid again missed the start but flew into the turn to emerge as a serious danger but The Other Wild closed the door on his rival, forcing him to check wide. This left The Other Wild with freedom to race and he proceeded to stay on strongly to emerge a two and three quarter length scorer in 21.05. Looking Splendid was second with another length and a quarter to Droopys Apollo in third.