ROGUE ROMPS TO VICTORY AT SHELBOURNE

    Ian Fortune

    Favourite Rogue raced away with the feature at Shelbourne Park on Thursday night, the final of the Upcoming Summer Novice ON2 525.

    The son of Grangeview Ten and Beechgrove Bell had shown early dash after a moderate start in his previous outings but, on this occasion, he hit the ground running.

    It allowed Pat Flanagan’s youngster to put daylight between himself and his rivals into the turn and he built a commanding advantage by halfway. Highview Rapid emerged from opening bend traffic to give chase but there was no stopping Favourite Rogue.

    The Michael Taggart trained December ’23 whelp would cruise home six and a half lengths clear oft Highview Rapid in 29.48 on a track very conservatively rated .30 slow.

    PLAN LOOKS A REAL PROSPECT

    Highview Plan produced the performance of the night in the final of the Upcoming Events A4 525, showing massive pace to come home clear in 28.85.

    After a slow start, the Gerry Merriman trained son of Ballymac Cashout and Highview Moment found himself well of the pace into the back straight but what was to follow was particularly impressive.  

    Showing massive pace, Peter Killaly’s charge flew up the fence to go to the front into the third turn before coasting clear to win by four and a half lengths. On the evidence of this display, Highview Plan will go considerably faster in the near future and he is most certainly one to keep on your radar.

    BURGESS TOO HOT TO HANDLE

    Both semi-finals of the Shelbourne Park Dolls A2/A3 were won in fine style.

    Burgess Mystery would dominate in the opening heart for Pat Buckley and owner JJ Fennelly. The daughter of Glengar Bale and Nice Mystery came home five lengths clear of the eye-catching Priceless Maria in 28.92.

    HOPE MAKES ALL

    Magical Hope (Dorotas Wildcat/ Magical Poppy) won the second heat in similar fashion for Donal and Pat Guilfoyle.

    Showing fine early dash to lead from the bend. Da Bold Rose ran on strongly but Magical Hope would emerge a length and a half scorer in 29.03.