2015 seems to have been a year for withdrawals from the coursing classics but the bad luck was not over yet. Balbriggan Oaks qualifier Laytown Girl had been quietly supported in the long odds market in recent weeks but her backers knew their fate early as the Francie Murray-trained brindle daughter of Razor Ashmore was withdrawn shortly before coursing this morning. Her place was taken by Athcarne Charm winner of the Reserve Trial Stake at Trim, whose litter brother Gortmelia Gift was to run in the Derby later in the day.
Early risers at Powerstown brought a shedload of money with them and there was a good old fashioned punt on Timber House before coursing this morning. As a result top coursing bookmaker Berkie Brown slashed price of the Michael O’Donovan-trained Ballyduff qualifier from 8/1 to 9/2 favourite for the Derby. In contrast long time ante post favourite Crusher’s Oak was friendless in the market and drifted out to 10/1.
Although reputedly not long back in training after her seasonal rest, Pat Curtin’s Breska Lantern started long odds favourite in the Oaks at 4/1. With six courses between her and victory these layers are fearless without a doubt! Running in the eighth course of the day, she justified her supporters’ confidence by leading the more than useful Barrow Cockle by six lengths in an impressive 12:36 seconds.
The first big upset of the meeting so far came soon afterwards, when the big talking bitch Tober na Molt went down by half a length to Windfarm Ivy in 12:57secs. Ivy qualified on the East Donegal Club’s long field at the Greenbrae which in the past has often been a good preparation for the testing Powerstown stretch.
Another of the big guns, the Michael O’Donovan trained Boshski however made it safely through to the next round. She had beaten Skellig Starwars when qualifying at Doon and repeated the performance here in a cracking 12:28. Manntan Maple, another bitch that came to Clonmel with a big reputation will also be back tomorrow for the second round.
Blades of Hope set the standard in the early courses of the first round of the Derby, Gerry Holian’s Castletown qualifier leading Ashmore Phantom to win in 12:40 secs. His time was soon bettered by the Dungannon qualifier Tullamoy Master who led the respected Stephen’s Owen by four lengths in an impressive 12:20 seconds.
Living Next Door was a bit of a surprise package, overcoming an early stumble to beat Not Caught Yet by four lengths in 12:33 secs. Not long after the Field family’s Kyle Bruce qualified for the next round in a speedy 12:35 seconds but this time was bettered by giant killer Feel My Pulse who just touched off long time ante post favourite Crushers Oak in 12:33.
Fingal Billy from the Pat Savage kennel which sent out Fingal Master to reach the semi-final of the Derby last year showed good pace to beat the Hoban’s Ardmore Rusty in 12:37 while Defacto was perhaps the surprise package of the bottom quarter, coming from nowhere to qualify for the second round is a mighty 12:32.
Luck has notoriously deserted Michael O’Donovan at the National Meeting in the past but going into the second day he looks in a strong position in both the Oaks and the Derby but there are still two days coursing in front of us and it is all to play for yet.
An Seanchai
