GLEESON MEMORIAL AND 1XBET ACTION ON OFFER AT CLONMEL

Peter Farrell

Clonmel plays host to some terrific action later this evening, with the semi-finals of the Eamon Gleeson Memorial 525 featuring alongside the opening round of the €1,700-to-the-winner 1XBET A1/A2 550.

Shakeahand set the standard in the opening round of the Eamon Gleeson Memorial 525 last weekend and Tommy Webb’s runner holds leading claims in the opening semi-final. Shedding his maiden tag in a swift 28.76 on that occasion, the Aaron O’Hanlon-trained son of Good Cody took charge at the three-quarter mark and that victory could prove the catalyst for better things to come. Shakeahand has a potentially tricky draw in four, however, so will need to be at his sharpest in order to make it back-to-back wins. His rivals include Triangle Musashi, who really caught the eye last weekend for Nicholas Nolan. The December pup finished strongly on that occasion and has a slightly better draw in three. Another to keep an eye on is Blueway Vinnie, who posted a rapid 2.82 sectional en route to a 28.92 victory in his heat and is a likely leader from trap two.

In the second semi-final, Candy Froma Baby looks a solid bet to make it back-to-back wins for Nigel Quinn. The son of Head Bound was mightily impressive as he arrived late to score in 29.11 last weekend and certainly gave the impression that he has plenty left up his sleeve. Rewarded with a plum draw in red, another strong performance can be expected from this November pup. His rivals include Mountview Diva, who justified even-money favouritism to win in 29.16 last weekend, while the performance of Adam Dunford’s Colligan Clara didn’t go unnoticed despite failing to land her opening-round assignment. The blue-brindle finished well on that occasion and she is unlikely to break as poorly this time around.

1XBET ACTION

Shortly after, the opening three heats of the €1,700-to-the-winner 1XBET A1/A2 550 take centre stage and the competition looks packed with quality.

In heat one, Marlhill Jenny finished well over the standard trip last time out and the extra yardage should really play to the strengths of the Emer Dunne-trained lady. Slaneyside Cyril is amongst her rivals and has bold claims from trap one for Derek Kehoe. He is a seasoned performer and this represents a slight ease in class for the son of McInerney.

Paraic Campion is represented by Kevinsfort Trump in heat two and, if he brings his A-game to the table, he should prove a tough nut to crack. The son of Ballymac Cashout has a phenomenal 31.21 to his name over the 575-yard trip at Limerick and anything close to that level of form should see him record a seventh career victory. The chief rival looks to be Jaytee Dallas in four. A former 28.48 winner around Limerick, one suspects we still haven’t seen the best of the Paul Hennessy-trained runner, so he is certainly one to keep onside for now.

The final heat can see Badminton Chopin make a winning return to racing for David McGrath and Donal Murphy. His last race came some five months ago, however, his recent trials at Kilkenny, particularly a smart 16.21 effort, read very favourably. Drawn in two, the son of Ballyhimikin Jet would appear to be in fine fettle and, barring any race rust, should prove too hot to handle.