IRISH PERFORMANCES OF THE WEEK

This week’s performances are dominated by a series of big finals and all went according to the formbook.

The first was Kilkenny’s traditional showpiece, the McCalmont Cup, and victory went to the ultra consistent Karlow Crean who landed the final in 29.08, one spot quicker than his semi where he beat the same opponent, Tibet.

Onto Saturday and the €80,000-to-winner Kirby Memorial which went in some style to the unbeaten Bentekes Bocko. The five-timer was secured with a 28.39 run for Limerick’s standard trip.

Meanwhile, at Mullingar, the Wallace/Murray Irish Cesarewitch went to the unbeaten 2-1 chance Vivaro Swift with Droopy Smasher following him home for a second time. The Cork Oaks also went to the unbeaten favourite, in this case Crafty Trivago, though Brian Divilly’s bitch had to rally from a bump and third spot to prevail in 28.32; she had won her semi in 28.17.

Elsewhere there was another huge run from Talking Tactics with a FOY at Drumbo, Black Eyed Peppa did something similar at Longford. Old Fort Mill produced the fastest ‘400’ seen at Dundalk in eight months. With no outstanding performance at Lifford, the nod goes to the fastest sprinter of the week, Smurfing Convoy, who is a month off his fifth birthday.