ORIENTAL KING TAKES OFF IN THE OPENING ROUND OF THE PEGASUS CUP

Barry Drake

ORIENTAL KING (Coolavanny Hoffa-Newinn Willow), for the Organised-Chaos-Syndicate, went quickest on the clock in the opening round of the Pegasus Cup at Curraheen Park on Saturday night.

Jerrivee De Meg set a serious gallop up front with the 5-4 always looking dangerous in second. The impressive winner powered down the back straight, in front before the third corner, and he then stayed on strongly up front, clocking a superb 28.26. Three lengths back to the early leader in second place.

In the fifth and final heat, Killavullen Jet (Ballyhimikin Jet-Please Cabela) displayed lovely early speed to make all the running for the Haven For One Syndicate. The 9-4 shot enjoys the rails, and he took a flying start to take early control. Ballycowen Moon was finishing in top gear, but the line came in time. Just a short head between the front two, in 28.53.

Da Tapper Flynn (Droopys Sydney-Droopys Lagoon), trained by Pat Kiely for the Golden Spoon Syndicate, came from last to first to win heat number three. Killough Sniper was in control for most of the way, but the 5-4 favourite delivered one of his big finishes to land the spoils. Three-quarters of a length the margin, in 28.59.

Heat three went the way of Testra Destiny (Ballymac Bolger-Stouke Nova) for the Bendalmadena Syndicate. The 4-5 favourite drove a great opening set of bends to slip around in front, and from there, he was always in control. Finishing well, the well-fancied winner got the better of the running on Certificate, by two and a half lengths, in 28.61.

In the opening heat, Knockera Jet (Ballyhimikin Jet-Tory Aria) returned to winning form for Patrick O'Leary. Displaying big speed after trouble at the opening corners, the 4-1 winner caught the eye when finishing best of all to win. A 28.93 winning display, a length and a half back to Cuile Line Boy.