EAMON GLEESON MEMORIAL GETS UNDERWAY AT CLONMEL

Peter Farrell

Boasting an attractive first prize of €2,200, the opening-round heats of the Eamon Gleeson Memorial A4/A5 525, kindly sponsored by Doris Gleeson, get underway at Clonmel later tonight and should provide some competitive action over the coming weeks.

In total, there are four opening-round heats on offer and the opener can see Boozed Foxy go back-to-back for Paraic Campion. A winner on her latest outing in 29.50, she has previously gone much faster and the daughter of Boyhero should be right at home in trap one. The backgrading Soft Mint boasts plenty of experience and can emerge as the chief threat for David Hickey.

In heat two, Roses Rapper gets the vote despite taking a tumble on his latest start. Prior to that, the son of Orchestrate was a massive eye-catcher at a recent sales auction and, provided there are no ill-effects from his tumble, he can shed his maiden tag from trap two. Of his rivals, Bay Roxy is two from three but steps out of novice company for the first time, while Foxrock Cooper is a possible leader from out wide for Canice Hyland.

Adam Dunford is represented by Colligan Clara in heat three and, although she is still searching for a maiden victory, she has shown plenty of ability in defeat to date. Drawn in five, the daughter of Jacktavern Gem looks capable of opening her account sooner rather than later and can certainly make a bold bid tonight. Minor Cashout is selected to give the blue-brindle most to think about.

The concluding heat sees Triangle Musashi arrive from Kilkenny and a change of scenery could pay dividends for owner Nicholas Nolan. Costly to follow in recent starts, having gone off at odds of 4/6 and 4/5, the son of Sober Glory has encountered trouble on both occasions. However, he remains a mere novice and could prove a dark horse for outright honours if putting it all together. His rivals include Cuteen Light, who is very well drawn in trap one, and the fast-finishing Emers Mabel in six.