The opening day of the Corn na Feile meeting at Abbeyfeale lived up to expectation, with some top class performances throughout each stake. Navalny set the standard in the Corn Na Feile Derby, however Castleisland qualifier Ballymac Sports remains at the head of the betting following his two length opening round success over Capablanca. Cuban Bruce didn’t live up to expectations as he raced offline throughout against Montpelier Merlo. Ballymac Cuinas and Banba Be Wilder both progressed; however Glin qualifier Navalny was without doubt the most eye catching performer of the day in the colours of Brendan Matthews and his next course with A Noble Friend is a rematch of their Glin Derby TS final.
Ballymac Tag produced a flawless display in the opening round in the Corn na Feile Oaks and has hardened into 4/6 for outright honours. She meets Kilflynn qualifier Linden Panache in the morning. Kennel companion Ballymac Nano upset the odds in the opening course when defeating Artic Heiguer and sets up a date with Montpelier Aya in round two. Annual Hope and Marvellous Model will contest the second quarter while the contest between Boherlode Hope and Zauberflute has the potential to be the buckle of the day.
Derby winner Masonbrook Ger heads the market in the All Age event following his four length victory over Floating Hego. The second half of the draw looks hard to predict, however the buckle between Tree Top Tyson and Drive On Lesley may well decide who sports the white collar in the final. Ballymac Major appeared to have put his recent dip in form behind him and should not be dismissed.
The final day of action gets underway at 11am. See Quick Results for betting after Day 1.
Now that the
Christmas meetings have been completed (a very well done to all concerned) our
attention turns to Abbeyfeale for the next two days, Friday & Saturday.
They are celebrating their 100th Anniversary at Abbeyfeale but of
course this meeting has really taken off since the 1971/72 season when the
committee changed their All Age Cup into a Puppy event with preference for
Clonmel qualifiers. It is now firmly established as a very important
pre-National Meeting trial and Reikers Island, Silent Whisper, Annual Fergie
& Ballymac Zena are recent examples of Corn Na Feile Puppy Stake winners
which went on to classic success at Clonmel. Once again the entries for both of
this season’s puppy events at Abbeyfeale include qualifiers which are at the
head of the betting market for the Derby and Oaks in February so we can expect
plenty of talking points as we go through the rounds. A few years ago the
current committee reintroduced a Corn Na Feile All Age Cup to the programme and
they have been rewarded with an outstanding entry for the 2023 renewal. Most
likely it is the first time ever that the four semi-finalists from the previous
season’s Derby turned up in the same Cup. So let’s have a quick look at the
three feature events.
CORN NA FEILE DERBY
At first glance this stake has a very ‘Ballymac’ look to it and certainly the three Liam Dowling runners will be hard to beat. Sports & Ciunas went into every notebook for the Derby after qualifying at Castleisland & Abbeydorney respectively. Kyleson won the Galway & Oranmore TS at Glin in good style but did make an early exit afterwards in the Munster Cup at NCW. The biggest threat to the Ballymacs in the top half is undoubtedly the Ballyduff qualifier Cuban Bruce and his expected second round meeting with ‘Sports’ could be one of the courses of the meeting. In the bottom half where the finalist will have the benefit of a semi-final bye, the Glin form will be very much on show. It wouldn’t be a huge shock if A Noble Friend which took the Mitchelstown qualifier after running-up to Navalny at Glin proved best. He was clocking marginally faster than both Navalny & Ballymac Kyleson in the early rounds at Ballinagoul. However, by virtue of having possibly the easier passage through the early rounds we will give the nod for outright success to Ballymac Ciunas.
CORN NA FEILE OAKS
The betting suggests that Ballymac Tag will go at least two thirds of the way of emulating her kennelmate Zena which accomplished a Castleisland / Abbeyfeale / Clonmel treble last season. However there is huge confidence behind a number of runners in this stake and she will have to be very special to come out on top. Her first big battle will probably be in the second round against the highly regarded Westport qualifier Crafty Magello. Awaiting the winner of this buckle is likely to be Zauberflute, a daughter of Laurina, which won many admirers at Freshford and since then was spotted doing a very good trial. Lady Wild (Tradaree) is another one to note in the bottom half. At the upper end of the draw, the first round pairing of Montpelier Aya (Westmeath Utd) & Good Penny (Crohane) should produce a thrilling course and Arctic Heigeur (Listowel) & Annual Hoppe (Ballinagar) won’t be short of support but the Miltown Malbay qualifier Empirical could be a surprise packet. It would be folly to oppose Ballymac Tag but this could be a very exciting renewal.
CORN NA FEILE ALL
AGE
With 11 points already to her name Barrack Bubbles is probably guaranteed her place in the Champion Bitch Stakes but is a very interesting runner in the top quarter. This top half though is dominated by the course between 2023 Boylesports Derby winner Masonbrook Ger and Floating Hego. The latter is very difficult to beat in early rounds so this could be the buckle of Day 1. Should ‘Ger’ progress it is hard to see him not being in the final. Things are a tad more complicated in the bottom half. Connections of Drive On Lesley were a bit shocked to see the ease at which Tree Top Tyson went past him in the Tipperary Cup at Kilsheelan. They will be expecting to reverse the result if they meet here in Rd 2. Below them there are questions marks over the current form of Derby r-up Ballymac Major and the well-being of Derby semi-finalist Barrack Boru (not seen since early exit at Glin) but if either or both produce their ‘Clonmel’ performances we are in for one thrilling competition. It might be too obvious or just wishful thinking but we will predict a repeat of last season’s Derby final between Masonbrook Ger & Ballymac Major with the same outcome.
Corn Na Feile All Age
Cobra Melody v All Glamour
My Littlecoconut v Barrack Bubbles
Bodens Hulk v Steel Mill
Floating Hego v Masonbrook Ger
Tree Top Tyson v Sheeraghs Dream
Catunda Zeus v Drive On Lesley
Lower The Blade v Ballymac Major
Well Road Crafty v Barrack Boru
Reserves
Toplight
Corn Na Feile Puppy Derby
Capablanca v Ballymac Sports
Montpelier Merlo v Cuban Bruce
Ballymac Ciunas v Carrowkeal Jerry
Shuffleupanddeal v Banba Be Wilder
Navalny v Ballymac Kyleson
A Noble Friend v Carrowkeal Snowy
Reserves
Corn Na Feile Puppy Oaks
Arctic Heiguer v Ballymac Nano
Montpelier Aya v Good Penny
Annual Hoppe v Self Taught
Marvelous Mover v Empirical
Lady Wild v Boherlode Hope
Zauberflute v Hunters Hope
Scans Diamond v Ballymac Tag
Linden Panache v Crafty Magello
Reserves
Still Derramore
The online application form to apply for a Coursing Trainer Licence (season 23/24) can now be found under ‘ICC Forms’ .
Under the rules of the Irish Coursing Club you must register for a Coursing Trainer Licence if you train one coursing greyhound or more during the 2023/24 season which is not owned :
By Yourself
By a family member (Spouse, Partner, Child, Grandchild, Parent, Sibling, Guardian)
By a Syndicate of which you are the official authorised person to act on the syndicate’s behalf.
All those currently training one coursing greyhound or more which does not fit into one of the three categories above must apply for their Coursing Trainer Licence no later than Friday 27th October 2023. Any new trainer after that date must apply for their Coursing Trainer Licence within 7 days of accepting the coursing greyhound(s) into their kennel.
The Annual Licence Fee is €25.
You can click into the full ‘ICC Coursing Trainer Regulations 2023’ when you go to the application form.
For any queries please email eugene@sportingpress.ie or ring 052 6188508
A huge thank you to all 320 guests who attended our Coursing Awards and Dinner Dance last Sunday. You helped to create a lovely atmosphere and we hope you enjoyed yourselves.
These Awards could not happen without the support of our wonderful sponsors: Dominic, Kathleen & Liam of Greyhound & Pet World Abbeyfeale; Jimmy Flaherty & family, Galway; Billy & Marie Roche and family Clonmel Cabins; Bridget Byrne, Surrey & Duagh; The National Meeting Bookmakers; Michael & Maura Horgan, Mitchelstown. Thank you all sincerely.
Congratulations to our Award winners and other prize recipients. Thank you for joining us on Sunday night with family and friends. This week’s Sporting Press has a full report with photos from the Coursing Awards.
Front photo – Bridget Byrne presents the Hall Of Fame Award to Jackie Murphy and his wife Kathleen.
The O’Connor family, Saleen (Express Razor) accepting ICC Greyhound of the Year Awards from Kathleen and Liam of Greyhound & Pet World Ray Conroy (Laurina) accepting ICC Brood Bitch of the Year Award from Ciara Roche, Clonmel Cabins Liam Dowling and Tom Nolan (Ballymac Zena) accepting the ICC Bitch of the Year Awards from Carmel & Enda representing The Flaherty Family. Shari-Anne O’Donnell (Newinn Wonder) accepting the ICC Stud Dog of the Year Award from Berkie Browne representing the National Meeting Bookmakers Michael Horgan makes a presentation of €1000 to Majella Riordan & Jacko Reidy of Castleisland CC where Ballymac Zena won her Oaks TS Shane Counihan accepts a cheque for €1000 from Michael Horgan to mark the success of Masonbrook Ger in the Loughrea Derby TS.
Below Anne Marie O’Brien makes a presentation of behalf of the Sporting Press to the connections of Classic winners Excelerate (trainer Kevin Barry), Masonbrook Ger (members of the Griffin Harte syndicate) and Cool Spirit ( Damien Matthews & Seamus Kelly)
Below Michael Sheil (Chairman Classics Club) and John Egan (President ICC) make a presentation of the first prize cheques in the Classics Club Draw to Evan & Conor Comerford (representing their dad Fintan) and to Dermot McCarthy and his mam Martha .
Below Sporting Press Fantasy Coursing winner Sean Doyle accompanied by his daughter Sarah Jane accepts his prize from Anne Marie O’Brien.
Below DJ Histon (CEO Irish Coursing Club) and Damien Matthews (Treasurer ICC) make a special presentation to Imelda Grauer who has been taking photos for the Sporting Press & ICC since 1984.
National Coursing Meeting 2023 – Important Notices
Finals Day at Clonmel
The Fields Of Athenry rang around Powerstown Park this afternoon as friends and supporters of Tom Griffin, his daughter Jenny & her husband Matt Harte from Gort and trainer Gerry Holian celebrated the Boylesports Derby success of Masonbrook Ger. The son of Newinn Wonder & Laurina (representing Loughrea CC) had impressed from the opening round and was a truly worthy winner. His toughest call came in the semi-final against Tree Top Tyson which was one of many exciting courses today. Credit also to the runner-up Ballymac Major who came from behind in the quarter-final & semi-final but just couldn’t bridge the gap in the final.
They may have lost the Derby but it was another memorable National Meeting for Liam Dowling & family. As expected ante post favourite Ballymac Zena and her kennelmate Ballymac Pippin reached the final of the Horse & Jockey Hotel Oaks but not without a few worries. In her first course this morning Zena clipped the escape hard as she drove in and then three courses later Pippin got plenty of work. Zena’s semi-final against Catunda Lauren was without doubt the most exciting course of the entire three days and the stands erupted as the lead changed a number of times. However marking her out as an outstanding greyhound she shouldered her opponent at a vital time to take the opening turn. Pippin did recover from her exertions to win her semi-final against Silent Angel but following veterinary advice she was then withdrawn and Zena (representing Castleisland CC) was declared the winner. The daughter of Boylesports Magic – Silent Wonder joins Ballymac Enya (2019) and Ballymac Floral (2021) on the Oaks Roll of Honour.
The O’Connor family from Tarbert were back on the podium at a National Meeting when Express Razor (a Cup winner at Ballyduff and East Donegal) won the Kevin Smith Champion Stakes, coming from behind a gallant Aghadown Wonder in the final. The son of Drive On Smokey – Following Lights is trained by Patrick for his mam Christina. Excelerate (a Cup winner at Johnstown & Urlingford) gave one of the performances of the day throughout the Grace & Matt Bruton Champion Bitch Stakes. A late withdrawal before last season’s Oaks got underway, the daughter of Needham Danger – Annual Time made up for lost time much to the delight of Fintan & John Comerford, Kildare Town and trainer Kevin Barry. (Incidentally Fintan also drew Ballymac Zena in the Classics Club Draw so a great day all around for him). Ocean Kerrie ran exceptionally well to reach the final and gave the winner the most to do.
When Amarite was drawn to meet Ballymac Zena in the first round of the Oaks her owners Ray Conroy and Ollie Dunne (Portlaoise) were despondent. However she lost nothing in defeat and it was no surprise to see this litter sister of our Derby winner (Newinn Wonder – Laurina) win the Dublin Coach Kitty Butler Stakes four years after her dam won the same event. Sore Loser (Drive On Smokey – Sullane Erin) was also handed a tough opening draw in the Derby against Tiktok Tony and was one of the big outsiders. Owners David Manning & Katie Kelleher will be over the moon heading back to Macroom this evening with the trophy for the Stockproof Fencing Products TA Morris Stakes.
And so concluded the 97th National Coursing Meeting which was blessed with probably the best weather ever for the full duration of the event. We were also blessed with some fantastic coursing and behalf of all coursing supporters we extend our sincere thanks and gratitude to Team Powerstown. After all the anticipation it is hard to believe that it is all over but wonderful memories were made and no doubt the celebrations in Gort, Tralee, Tarbert, Kildare Town, Portlaoise and Macroom will continue for many days and weeks to come. Long Live Coursing.
Day 2 at Clonmel
Liam Dowling’s eight qualifiers graced the front page of last week’s Sporting Press and remarkably six of them are still in Derby & Oaks contention after three rounds and two days of great coursing at the 97th National Coursing Meeting. The betting this evening would suggest that Ballymac Zena and Ballymac Pippin will divide the Horse & Jockey Hotel Oaks which would give the Dowlings a remarkable third success in this Classic in five years. A Derby success would be the first up the field for the Ballymac kennels but it will be harder to achieve despite having half of the remaining runners.
The Boherlode Syndicate (Limerick) owned Boherlode Zoey which only came in as a runner-up last week has run brilliantly to reach the last eight of the Oaks. The Curtin family, Tournafulla, Limerick have brought many a fast qualifier to Clonmel over the years but perhaps without the success they deserved. With Barrack Bubbles (Oaks) and Barrack Boru (Derby) they now have two live chances, the latter in particular. Some of the loudest cheers were heard today from the Kilmardinny Syndicate (Imelda Byrne & family, Dublin) when Catunda Lauren won her two courses impressively. Gooleen Magic & Silent Angel make it three from the Boylesportsmagic – Silent Wonder litter into the last eight of the Oaks joining their sister Ballymac Zena. Gooleen Magic is owned by Eilish O’Sullivan & her son Dermot, from Labasheeda, Co Clare, mam and brother to Irish Cup and Kitty Butler sponsor John O’Sullivan. Father & son Tom & Jack Nolan, Abbeyfeale of the Silent prefix need no introduction and will be thrilled to see the great Silent Wonder produce such a litter. Twelve months after losing an Oaks final by the narrowest of margins Tom Lawler & his family, Carlow are back in an Oaks on Finals Day. Their Mungos Blossom has won many admirers and won’t make things easy for Ballymac Pippin.
The third round of the Boylesports Derby was bookended by two courses which were expected to be very close. The manner of the victory of both Ballymac Major and Tree Top Tyson (David Lonergan, Cahir & Kevin Barry, Rosegreen) over Iron Born and Cool Spirit respectively makes them serious contenders but such is the quality of this season’s Derby that they might not even reach the final. Major was actually nine spots slower than his brother Ballymac General who he now takes on in the quarter-final. The honour of fastest clock in the third round went to the aforementioned Barrack Boru and he meets Simply Glorious running for Ray Conroy & Ollie Dunne, Portlaoise who won a Kitty Butler with his dam in 2019 and also the Champion Bitch Stakes last season (Shes Invincible). Jenny Griffin and Matt Harte (Gort) got a brilliant run in the older Oaks 12 months ago and now their Masonbrook Ger (litter brother to Simply Glorious) is the fancy of many to go one better in the Derby. His next opponent is possibly the least fancied of the Liam Dowling runners but Ballymac Devito appears to have plenty luck on his side and we all know how important that is in coursing. He also happens to be a son of Ballymac Enya which gave Liam his first Clonmel success. Finally we come to Boylesports Team, the Corn Na Feile winner and running in the name of one of our sports most generous ever sponsors, John Boyle (Rostrevor) and trained in the Ballymac kennels. It would be another wonderful story but it won’t be easy, especially taking on Tree Top Tyson.
We began by mentioning the eight ‘Ballymac’ stars on Page 1 of the most recent Sporting Press. Will we see two or three or even possibly four of them on this week’s front cover once again ?. The bookmakers think we will and no doubt they will have some hefty doubles to pay out if it comes to pass. However the Clonmel dream is still alive for many other coursing families tonight and we wish them all the very best as we look forward to the third and final day of Clonmel 2023.
Day 1 at Clonmel
After a 30 minute delay due to overnight frost, Ballymac Wonder got the 97th National Meeting off to a great start with a 12.50 run in the opening course of the Horse & Jockey Hotel Oaks. However it wasn’t long before her kennelmate and long odds favourite Ballymac Zena bettered it by 12 spots (12.38). This would remain the best time of the day until Tree Top Tyson stopped the clock at 12.36 in the very last course of the Boylesports Derby.
Others to catch the eye in the Oaks were Gooleen Magic & Silent Angel (both litter sisters of Zena), Frenchfort (litter sister of Ballymac Wonder), Marvelous Model (daughter of 2020 Oaks winner), and the very well drawn Ballymac Pippin (same dam as 2019 and 2021 Oaks winners). The only big upset was the elimination of All Glamour which went temporarily offline and handed the advantage to Cloncunny Flare.
The Ballymacs were also very much to the fore in the Boylesports Derby with Ballymac Ida the only one of eight runners from the Dowling kennels to taste defeat today after a sluggish start. Ballymac Major was probably the most impressive although sponsor John Boyle will have been delighted with the all the way success of Boylesports Team (trained by Liam Dowling). The aforementioned Tree Top Tyson finished the first round in style and others to show Derby winning potential were Iron Born, Masonbrook Ger, Cool Spirit and both of the Barrack dogs Boru & Ice. However no less than 15 dogs came in under 12.60 so it really is wide open still.
It was a glorious day weather wise and the atmosphere and excitement was the best seen at an opening day in Clonmel for a long time. Please God it augurs well for the next two days. The action resumes tomorrow morning at 11am with the first round of the Stockproof Fencing TA Morris Stakes. (see Quick Results for clocks and betting).
The Waiting Is Over
In less than 24 hours the 97th National Coursing Meeting will get underway at Powerstown Park, Clonmel. It is very doubtful if we will have anyone attending who was present at that first National Meeting back in 1925 but for sure there will be someone proudly celebrating their 50th, 60th or even 70th Clonmel. We all remember our first Clonmel and we hope that for those making their maiden trip this year it is the first of many.
Safe travelling to all over the next three days. Best wishes to everyone connected to a runner and we hope your dream comes true. A huge thank you to all involved with hare husbandry at Powerstown Park and we hope your dream of a clean sheet comes true also. We know you can do no more. Sincere thanks to our sponsors, Boylesports, The Horse & Jockey Hotel, Dublin Coach, Stockproof Fencing Products, The 802 Classics Club Members and the families of the late Kevin Smith and Grace & Matt Bruton. This event could not happen without your support.
At 11am this Sunday morning Breska Code and Ballymac Wonder will be placed in the capable hands of Brian Doyle or Richard Quinn. 202 courses later Liam Kelly or John O’Connell will pull the final flag for this season’s National Meeting and the Clonmel Roll Of Honour will have six new names or possibly even more in the event of a divide !!. It’s our All Ireland, Superbowl, Cheltenham, all rolled into one and whether it’s our 50th or our 1st the excitement never diminishes.
OFFICIAL NON RUNNERS
National Meeting 2023 – Non Runners
Horse & Jockey Hotel Oaks
Hiho Lets Go (First Quarter)
Lucarelli (First Quarter)
Ta Ellen (Fourth Quarter)
BoyleSports Derby
Tullig Seal (First Quarter)
Sminky Sharp (Reserve)
Grace & Matt Bruton Champion Bitch
Cloncunny Wonder
Kevin Smith Champion Stakes
Dresden Dingo
Rossmore Champ (reserve)
TRAFFIC WARNING
For anyone travelling to Clonmel from the Waterford or Wexford direction on Tuesday (Sunday & Monday should be ok) please note there are long delays in Carrick On Suir due to roadworks. The full details are below.
ROAD TO BE CLOSED: N24 Eastbound Lane, Carrick-on-Suir, Co Tipperary. From O’Mahony Avenue to Ash Park Junction with N24. PERIOD OF CLOSURE: 00:00hrs on Monday 30 January 2023 to 23:39hrs on Friday 01 September 2023. ALTERNATIVE ROUTES: R696 New Road, L-2701-1 Ard Mhuire, L-2702-1 Greenside North, R697 Park View, L-2703-1 Ash Park. (L-27032-1 Townparks will also to be used when required).
NM SPORTING PRESS SPECIAL
Congratulations to Anne Marie O’Brien and her team on another great National Meeting special. A must read before you head to Clonmel this weekend. Available to view online Tuesday evening and should be in most shops on Wednesday.
Consolation Stakes at National Meeting
At the 2023 National Coursing Meeting there will be two Consolation Stakes. The Dublin Coach Kitty Butler Stakes for 32 bitches eliminated in the first round of the Horse & Jockey Hotel Oaks. Winner: €7,000. Runner Up: €2,000. The Stockproof Fencing Products T. A. Morris Stakes for 32 dogs eliminated in the first round of the BoylesSports Derby. Winner: €7,000. Runner Up: €2,000.
In
the event of these stakes not being filled by those eliminated from the first
round of the Oaks/Derby the remaining places will be allocated to reserves in
the Oaks/Derby which did not get called to run in those stakes. These
reserves must have run a non-competitive course at the end of the first round
of the Oaks/Derby.
A new draw will be made to determine which reserves are to receive the remaining places in the Consolation Stakes and which reserves are to be listed as Reserves A,B,C and D for the Consolation Stakes. The
draw for the Consolation Stakes will then take place.
The first round of the Dublin Coach Kitty Butler Stakes will take place at the end of coursing on the first day of the National Meeting and the second round will take place immediately after the interval on the second day of the National Meeting. The first round of the Stockproof Fencing Products TA Morris Stakes will take place at the start of coursing on the second day of the National Meeting and the second round will take place at the end of coursing on the second day of the National Meeting. Both
stakes will then be completed on the third day of the National Meeting.
NATIONAL MEETING TRIALS
The second hare schooling session for the National Meeting took place on Saturday and the quickest clocks were 12.67 and 12.72. The first hare schooling session for the National Meeting took place on Friday and the quickest clocks were 12.62 and 12.64
THE DUBLIN COACH COURSING BUS
We are delighted that John O’Sullivan is once again providing this wonderful service on three different routes. The coaches will leave each morning from Galway, Dundalk and Tralee with strategic pick-ups along the way. All who travelled this way in recent years have had nothing but the highest of praise for the service so early booking is advisable.
The following is the draw for the Irish Cup meeting to be hosted by Co Limerick CC next weekend. Ballymac Zena and Busy Man were two late withdrawals but the pairing of the two recent Champion Stakes winners Express Razor and Excelerate in the first round will justify the entrance fee alone on Day 1. Drive On Lesley is another very interesting runner in that second quarter.
Leading fancy Go Home Ourthat was first out of the hat and will wear the red collar six times if he claims this time-honoured classic. 2021 Derby runner up Carrowkeal Shane, recent Champion Stakes runner-up Aghadown Wonder and triple Cup winner Dresden Dingo will make life difficult though for him in that opening quarter.
Clocks from Clonmel would suggest that the pups Cool Spirit and Jeru Hope will have a great buckle in the third quarter where Benny Treanor was unlucky to have his two ‘Rossmore‘ dogs drawn against each other and where Champion Stakes runners Hermes and Derby Wonder should have a big say.
Liam Dowling’s two runners Boylesports Team & Ballymac General and Kyle Honour look the ones to beat in the fourth quarter although Charlie Chip could be a dangerous opponent early and Montpelier Hulk is another pup to be seriously considered if back to himself.
We have now added the runner beside each Member who was lucky to be drawn from the drum for the Classics Club. Best of luck to all and a huge thank you to everyone who supported the Classics Club this season.
The prize fund for draw on the Boylesports Derby and the Horse & Jockey Hotel Oaks will be as follows: Winner: €10,000 Runner-Up: €3,000 Semi-Finalists: €1,000 each. Quarter-Finalists: €500 each. Due to the great response we received we are also giving out the following extra prizes: If the greyhound you draw in the Derby or Oaks wins the Stockproof Fencing TA Morris Stakes or Dublin Coach Kitty Butler Stakes you will receive €1500 and the runner-up receives €500. In the new draws on the Kevin Smith Champion Stakes and Grace & Matt Bruton Champion Bitch Stakes the winner of both will receive €2,000 and runner-up €500. This gives a Total Prize-fund of €43,000.
Returning to the scene of his Derby TS success 12 months ago, Lower The Blade (pictured) won this season’s renewal of the Paddy Murray Memorial Ulster Cup at Ballymena (Tubbercurry) today and thereby clinched the final place in the Top 8 for the Kevin Smith Champion Stakes. Joining him in the line-up will be Aghadown Wonder which added the All Age at Clonakilty to the 32 runner All Age he had already won at Regional back in November. Double joy of course for the Collins family as results today mean they will also be travelling to Clonmel on February 7th with Aghadown Berry for the Champion Bitch Stake.
A brilliant third success of the season at Clonakilty for Wiseguy Becky has propelled her into second place on the leaderboard for the Grace & Matt Bruton Champion Bitch Stake. Just one place behind her is Off Piste which won a valuable 4 points by running up the Ulster Cup. Both of these bitches narrowly failed to qualify for the Oaks last season so connections will be delighted to have made amends. Just missing out on a Top 8 position but filling the first reserve position is today’s Sevenhouses All Age Cup winner Zooming. We will now be writing to connections of the Top 12 in both Champion Stakes and asking them to confirm availability by next Friday January 20th.
As expected Sean Doyle & Paula Minogue (Ennis) will be in control of the Sporting Press Fantasy Coursing leaderboard as we head to Clonmel. They occupy the first 12 positions followed by Sally Mounsey on 400 points and Marie Field on 385 points. Busy Man, Express Razor, Aghadown Wonder and Cloncunny Wonder will be the trump cards for Sean & Paula and Paula also has Lower The Blade in one selection. However with the likes of Kyle Honour, Derby Wonder, Sammy Be and Excelerate featuring in the selections of their nearest rivals and 380 points to be won, this could still be very interesting.
