True grit and resolve by Bedford Rambler
Newcastlewest meeting
BEDFORD Rambler (NewInn Wonder/ Nina For Out) produced a performance of true grit and resolve to claim victory in a competitive Derby Trial Stake held at the Club Grounds in Newcastlewest last weekend.
The 6/1 long odds shot scored 2 length victories over both Southern Harbour and Homestead West on the opening day of action to progress to the quarter-final stage. Honey Smokey was accounted for by a length to move onto the semi-final, and the Brian O’Brien trained April pup was the 4/1 outsider of the four remaining prior to the penultimate round.
The Listowel runner took on the fancied Pass No Remarks for a place in the deciding buckle, and he found himself a length down early on having made a sluggish start from slips. However he gradually began to reduce the deficit and was firmly back in contention passing the stand. Finishing much the stronger, Bedford Rambler pulled clear from halfway and secured victory by one length. However, he was to receive some winching turns before a game hare made good its escape and as a result his chances of victory appeared to have been severely diminished.
He was available at huge odds of 4/1 for success in the final against Its No Wonder who had come through from the bottom of the draw in impressive fashion. Against the odds, Bedford Rambler was first to show in final and to the roars of a partisan crowd, he extended his advantage over his opponent to two lengths at the top of the field to claim a famous victory.
The winner is jointly owned by Brian O’Brien and Philip Enright from the Ramble Inn Abbeyfeale, where no doubt this famous victory was toasted late into the night.
The Munster Cup was the feature event over the weekend and was a 16 runner event. The Kerry challenge extinguished at the semi-final stage as both Mouseinthehouse and Cuine Edge made their exit. Callura Sonic (Kyle James/Callura Rain) and Half The Odds progressed to the final with the latter going to slips the firm favourite at odds of 1/3. However the Kevin Barry trained third season runner left the short odds backers down with a bang running well below par. Callura Sonic stole an early lead from slips and extended his advantage with every stride to record a three-length winning margin. It was a first Cup success for the Clare runner who is owned and trained by Patrick Reynolds.
The All Aged Bitch Stake was won in emphatic fashion by Bexhill Anna (Bexhill Eoin/ Gadget Girl) who was collecting her third Cup of the season on the field where she collected her Trial Stake ticket last season. The manner of her victory was once again emphatic and connections will now head to this season’s elite All Age Bitch Stake at Powerstown in confident mood.
Trained in Newry by Brendan Matthews and owned by Glin duo Conor Sheehan and John Barrett, Bexhill Anna was quick to find her stride in the final against Mungos Sparrow and scored a decisive three-length success.
Barefoot magic (Mafi Magic/ Barefoot Model) provided some consolation for trainer Kevin Barry as she scored in emphatic fashion in the Reserve Oaks Trial Stake. The 4/6 favourite at the semi-final stage, Barefoot Magic advanced to the final with a 3 length success over the Abbeydorney owned Glamour Girl. She saw off the challenge of Mungos Hope in the final by a similar distance having led throughout.
The winner is jointly owned by Cathal Horan Castleisland and Brian Murphy from the Cayman Islands.
The Ardnocrohy Stake was won by the locally owned Derby Victoria (Timber House/ Cushie Victoria) who made up an early deficit against Stride On Kilzo to score by two lengths.
Running in the colours of Club Secretary Michael O’Sullivan and Gavin Thompson, the winner impressed throughout the 16 runner event and was a most deserving winner.
Finally, the Martin Roche owned Marys Mistake (Kyle Leigh/ Missellenie) easily accounted for Cloudy Dream in the final of the John Kelly Cup. Having led from slips, she opened a big gap from halfway to secure victory.
The action switches east to Dungarvan this weekend with the Deise Cup the feature of a 2 day card. Coursing starts at 11 am both days.