JIGGER LOOKING GOOD IN THE DAVY O'BRIEN MEMORIAL

Barry Drake

Just like last week, BARNFIELD JIGGER (Glengar Bale-Ruffian Rose) went quickest on the clock in the semi-finals of the Davy O'Brien Memorial A2-A3 Stake at Curraheen Park on Saturday night.

A drifter in the market on the back of a big recent performance, the in-form winner was sent off at a very generous 6-4. He produced a decent start from trap five, and he flew around the opening corners in front. From there, the outcome was never in any doubt as the powerful running winner galloped strongly all the way home. At the line, he was four lengths clear of Kind Tipp, in 28.84. A short head back to Arch Whisperer in third.

Hollyhill Stacey (Serene Ace-Hollyhill Cassie), also running from trap five, bounced out in front to make all the running in the second semi-final for trainer Paraic Campion and owner Ger Gubbins. The 5-1 winner showed nice early gears and took control on the back straight. Keeping on gamely, it was back-to-back wins, in 29.00, a length clear of Millies Story. The same distance back to Millridge Patsy in third.

Highbury Days (3) (King Sheeran-Knockmitten Bawn) set the standard in the semi-finals of the Barking Buzz Mini Open 525. Trained by Graham Holland for Sheila Mannix, the 5-1 shot drove a great opening corner to lead around from Patterdale Timmy. Powering down the back straight, the September puppy had the race in safe keeping at halfway. Following up on a smart recent victory around Shelbourne, this was another fine performance. A 28.42 winning run, six and a half lengths clear of Patterdale Timmy.

In the opening semi-final, Millridge Cindy (1) (Ballyhimikin Jet-Millridge Dolly) produced a big late run to win for Donal O'Mahony. Favourite Faypoint Midnite looked in control for most of the way; however, Clonavanny Bobby was winning the battle on the turns for home, but the 4-1 winner flew home to get the verdict. Just a length the margin, in 28.88. The same distance back to Faypoint Midnite in third.

The race of the night came in race nine, Southwind Storm (Ballymac Kingdom-Ballymac Pete) making full use of the inside when winning for trainer James Kelleher and owner David Manning. The 4-1 winner displayed stunning early speed to take early control. Lennies Dynamic was catching the eye on the back straight, but the winner ran on well, always holding the favourite. A length and a half the margin, in 28.26. A top-class winning performance.

Desert Flower (Malachi-Ballyverry Sarah) ran down Riverside Rex in the closing yards of the finale, an Open 575. Rex kicked clear on the back straight, but the 6-4 winner, trained by Kieran Lynch for owners the Hold On To Your Hat Syndicate, powered home to land the spoils. So strong in the final third, the classy winner made it two wins in her last three, winning in 31.01, a length clear of Rex.

In the Open Sprint, Callaway Danny (Callaway Pro Am-Jamaica Joy) made the most of the drop in distance to win for trainer Owen McKenna and owner Denis Murphy. The 3-1 winner came away racing from trap five, and the talented performer beat a really good field. Always in control up front, it was a 17.56 winning display, three and a half lengths clear of Knockglass Joe.

It was Unanimous Ayla (Glengar Bale-Nice Mystery) who scored in the fourth, the Curraheen Park Supporters Club A1 525. Displaying bundles of early speed and keeping on well on the wide outside, the 7-2 winner came home in front in 29.06. What a weekend for the Cloyne family, who are huge supporters of this great sport. Four winners across four tracks over two nights.

Barry McSweeney (Chairman CPSC), Michael Naughton, John Buckley and Barry Drake after Unanimous Ayla won the CPSC A1 race on Saturday night at Curraheen Park.