DURROW STAR SETS A STRONG CESAREWITCH STANDARD

Ian Fortune

Durrow Star was the undoubted star at Mullingar on Sunday afternoon as she set a really impressive standard in the semi-finals of the TIME Irish Cesarewitch, dipping under the 33 second barrier as she left a talented field standing.

There were four semi-finals in total with each of the winners and the two fastest fourth place finishers progressing. Droopys Roar, Actindamaggot and Flight Club qualified automatically along with Durrow Star, while ante-post favourite Ballinabola Joe and top stayer Born To Perform went fast enough in defeat to also claim a place in the decider.

ROARS HOLDS ON AFTER A REAL BATTLE

There was real drama in the opening heat with Droopys Roar holding on for a narrow success despite the late attentions of Hogans Hawk who was marked awkward on the card.

Droopy Roar is very familiar with Mullingar and he asserted in the early yards but ex-UK based star Hogans Hawk slipped around second and that set up a grandstand finish.

Droopy Roar continued to dictate into the third turn before swinging wide into the straight. Hogans Hawk followed him and the pair bumped a few times. Meanwhile, Breffni Paddy and Clonfert Teddy drew closer but could never get back on terms.

Droopys Roar, despite the distraction of Hogans Hawk, kept battling to the line to hold on or a short head victory in 33.86. Breffni Paddy was just a length further adrift in third.

MAGGOT TOOK HIS OPPORTUNITY

David Murtagh’s Actindamaggot had no race form around Mullingar to speak of but his few trials at the venue stood to him as he found himself left in front off the final turn in Heat 2 after inexperienced youngster This Approach got completely lost, hampering Fleadh Riley in the process.

This Approach moved purposely into the bend to open a clear advantage over Fleadh Riley with Actindamaggot third and seemed likely to secure a comfortable success thereafter but he clearly got disorientated around the last two bends.

Fleadh Riley still two lengths down as they neared the third turn but, as the leader stuttered around the third bend, he made the fatal decision to challenge on the outside. This was to prove costly.

As This Approach ran wide, he carried Fleadh Riley with him and Actindamaggot pounced. Going to the front on the final turn, the Ian Reilly trained son of Ballymac Cashout and Slippery Diva found himself a few lengths clear but he needed the line as Fleadh Riley recovered to give chase. Actindamaggot held on by a half length in 33.78.

CLUB TAKES FLIGHT

Ballinabola Joe was a hot favourite for Heat 3 and forced his way to the front despite a tardy exit in the stripes but Leger runner-up Flight Club was far too close for comfort and predictably finished fastest to hand the bookmakers a bonus.

Ballinabola Joe made full use of the long run to the bend to hit the front just as they began to turn. Mark Connolly and Tom Caughey’s Flight Club was a clear second, however, and when Ballinabola Joe looked a little unsure of his footing around the third and fourth bends, his pursuer pounced.

Full of running as they turned for home, Flight Club (Good News/ Good Poppy) powered up the straight to take control before going on to strike the line three lengths to the good in 33.23. Ballinabola Joe will clearly come on for the experience and progressed in second as one of the fastest losers.

A STARRING ROLE FROM DURROW

And than came the turn of Diarmuid O’Neill’s Durrow Star.

Only the third choice in the betting behind Singalong Polly and Born To Perform but she clearly didn’t care. The Francie Murray trained daughter of Pestana and Rural Aloha broke smartly and contested the early lead alongside Born To Perform before asserting into the corner.

A length to the good as they straightened up into the back straight, Durrow Star moved across Born To Perform, forcing her rival to check her stride. This allowed Durrow Star to power into a clear advantage by the third turn.

Running a smooth third bend, she increased her lead further before powering home a facile seven and a half length winner in a rapid 32.95. Born To Perform was a clear second with Singalong Polly third.

TIME Irish Cesarewitch

Final draw

1 ACTINDAMAGGOT

2 BORN TO PERFORM

3 DURROW STAR (M)

4 FLIGHT CLUB (M)

5 DROOPYS ROAR (W)

6 BALLINABOLA JOE (W)