IRISH PERFORMANCES OF THE WEEK

The big Irish story was of course the elimination of Susie Sapphire from the Irish Oaks at Shelbourne Park. Having missed her break, she made several attempts to get back into the race but was thwarted on every occasion.

On the night, it was the puppy sensation Maries Wedding who stole the headlines. Dolores Ruth’s November whelp became the first hound to break 28.00 for the standard course this year.

At Tralee, Tullig Cyrname cruised into the final of the Lee Stand 550. Having dominated the early rounds, Pat Buckley’s runner had to graft to force his way into the race, hence the slower time, but was still hugely impressive as he took his career record to 6:6.

According to our records, the first four ‘21 whelps have won races, and Glavin Magical has won two of them. Peter Cronin’s January whelp has twice been successful at Enniscorthy, winning two heats of an unraced stake.

The form is now a week old but we must acknowledge the fine run by Magical Mary to take the Irish Cesarewitch for Pat Guilfoyle at Mullingar. That’s four wins in her last five outings.

Other runs of note include the fastest 525 of the year to date at Drumbo for Rossmore Sid and the quickest 550 at Limerick for Vincenzo.