O’Connell trained Knocktoo Niamh posts career best
WITH no racing on Saturday there was a larger than normal crowd at the stadium to enjoy Sunday evening’s 8-race SIS card. The Neilus O’Connell trained Knocktoo Niamh (Storm Control/ Laughil Niamh) posted a career best performance when landing Race 4 in 28.81 at generous odds of 13/2.
Knocktoo Niamh was smartly away from trap 3 in this A3 contest but she was led at the opening bend by Enjoy The Moment in trap 6. The latter’s lead was brief however, as Knocktoo Niamh took up the running off the second bend. The leading pair raced tightly together down the back straight and were joined by Fermoyle Colm and they began to pull clear of the rest. The winner increased her advantage between the closing bends and stayed on gamely to record the fastest time of the evenings session. Headleys Bud produced a tremendous finish to take second 2 lengths back while early leader Enjoy The Moment faded on the run in and was 1 ½ lengths back in third.
Noel O’Leary continued his fine run of form when scoring in Race 6 with Loher Blake (Laughil Blake/ Loher Baby). The 2/1 favorite was led to the opening bend by Pennylane Miss in this A1 contest however the blue jacket of Loher Blake was never too far away from the early leader. The winner made his move down the back straight and stalked his rival rounding the closing bends. Leading off the last, Loher Blake stayed out the trip well and flashed passed the line in 28.83, 3 lengths clear of Pennylane Miss.
Race 7 was the sole sprint on the card and was for grade S4. Mohane Giselle broke smartly on the rails and disputed the lead with Scart Bigmike (Tyrur Big Mike/ Sunrise Ice) in trap 6 on the run to the first bend. Milheight Mollie was back in third; however the rest of the field were forced to check badly between bends which effectively ended their chances. Up front however Scart Big Mike began to edge in front and whilst he raced wide off the last bend, the Brendan O Mahoney owned runner powered up the home straight to score a 4 length success in 17.82. Mohane Giselle just held off Mileheight Mollie by a head to secure second on the podium.
The final race of the evening was an A4 contest over the standard trip. Lassinagh Rebel (Superior Product/ Lassinagh Glory) broke smartly from trap 2 and led the field into the opening bend. Mail Road Return was also showing plenty pace from trap 6 and joined the early leader between bends. In fact the latter led briefly as they raced down the back straight, however Lassingagh Rebel was back in control of proceedings as they raced into the third bend. Ballymac Roy was making up good ground on the early leaders and was firmly in the mix rounding the closing bends. However the chasing pair failed to make inroads in to the leader’s advantage on the dash up the home straight and the Liam and Aidan Harty owned runner ran a 2 length winner in 29.10. Ballymac Roy outpaced Mail Road Return by half a length to take second.
Also winning on the card were Payaway Mandy 29.44, Aughacasla Haley, Cournacove Tom 29.37, Steeple Rd Taylor 29.55