TEXTAMIRIGHT DELIVERS IN STYLE IN WILLIE MAHER MEMORIAL

Peter Farrell

A €2,700 winner's prize lay in wait in the Willie Maher Memorial A3/A4 525 at Thurles on Saturday night and it was Textamiright that landed the feature in emphatic fashion, completing a clean sweep throughout the competition for owner Daniel Maher.

Chasing a fourth successive victory, Textamiright arrived on the back of a string of outstanding performances but took his form to another level in the decider with a masterclass of front-running. Still only an August whelp, 'Text' donned the black jacket in the final and produced another fast exit from traps, posting a 1.73 sectional to seize control in the opening strides. In doing so, the son of Ballymac Cashout - Lamestep quickly outpaced his rivals to the turn before opening a commanding three-length advantage over Toms John Deere down the back. Increasing that margin approaching the three-quarter mark, Maher's exciting youngster never looked in danger thereafter and powered up the Thurles straight to cross the line four and a half lengths clear of the staying-on Whizzing Annie, who claimed second. The winning time of a blistering 28.77 .40s was a fitting conclusion to another terrific renewal of the Willie Maher Memorial, and sincere thanks are extended to the Maher family for their continued sponsorship of the event.