Lots of local success at Lixnaw coursing meet

BATTLEOFTHEBOYNE (NewInn Wonder/ Barely Survived) was a popular winner of the O’Carroll/ O’Connor Cup, the feature event of the Lixnaw Coursing meeting in Ballinclogher last weekend.

10/1 in the long-odds market, the Donal O’Connell owned runner opened his account with a twolength success over Kerry Abu to secure a quarter-final slot against Tory Hill Denzel. Displaying good early foot, the Abbeydorney made all the early running and extended his advantage by 1 ½ lengths to take the opening score. His odds shortened to 6/4 with just four remaining in the competition and a dominant four-length victory over Mad Jingles in the penultimate round secured passage through to the deciding buckle against Walkinmyshoes. The latter produced some big performances en route to the final having defeated Kyle Bruce (half a length) and Essential (2l) on the final day of action.

Battleoftheboyne was a warm favourite heading to slips for the final at odds of 1/3. He was quickly into his stride off the white collar and held a clear advantage as they hit the rising ground. He continued to extend his lead on the hill and took the opening turn three lengths clear of his opponent to secure a famous victory.

Bower Judy (NewInn Wonder/ Bower Sign) maintained her 100% record for the season as she secured the points in the Mickey Murphy Memorial All Age Bitch Stake. Having tasted success on her maiden outing at Listowel in impressive fashion, the John Saunders owned runner began the Stake the joint 6/4 favourite with Banba Be Lucky, who had also tasted success this term at Limerick City. Both bitches came through from their respective halves of the draw but Bower Judy started the 1/2 favourite in the deciding course.

Trained by Jonathon Best, Bower Judy made an explosive start off the white collar and opened daylight between the pair within a matter of strides. She showed no sign of relenting on the rising ground, and while Banba battled gamely to get into contention, Bower Judy was an easy winner with a 2 ½ length cushion.

On her two outings this season, the winner looks to have all the credentials to be a major player in this season’s Champion Bitch Stake at the National meeting and hopefully she will secure the points needed to qualify over the Christmas.

Killacolla Jet (Tomas The Tank/ Killacolla Spice) made a successful debut on the Trial Stake scene when claiming the Derby ticket for the Fitzgearld family from Glin. Trained by Dan Brassil in Abbeydorney, the April puppy was impressive throughout and following a 1 ½ length win over Tribunal Script at the semi-final stage he took on the Ruari Burke owned Spruce Earl in the final course. The 1/3 favourite showed good early foot to race clear of Spruce Earl early on and worked up a two-length advantage midway through the course. The Castleisland runner did close the advantage to one length on the rising ground; however Killacolla had done enough to secure the win. He enters the Classic market at odds of 16/1.

Duarigle Debbie (Adios Alonso/ Duarigle Magic) proved best in the Oaks equivalent for Philomena Guiney from Newmarket, Co. Cork. She secured the red collar for the final course following a 1 ½ length win over the local runner Dresden Log On at the semi-final stage. She went to slips with Daydream Lady in the final and was the 1/2 favourite to prevail. The ‘jolly’ showed in front from slips and held a length advantage at the foot of the hill. Daydream Lady was battling gamely to get back into contention however she failed to get up alongside her rival and Duarigle Debbie held on for a three-quarter length win. The North Cork runner enters the Oaks market at 25/1.

The Railway Bar Stake, a onecourse duffer event, was won by Battie Heaphy’s Be With It (Tullymurry Act/ Menu) who stayed well on the rising ground to defeat Our Halfcrown by two lengths in the final course.

Dromtullabeg (Feel My Pulse/ Rock The Boat) claimed the Donal McNamara Stake following a fourlength success over Pennyluck.

The impressive Too Late Now (Kyle James/ Specific Event) proved best in the 32-runner Dew Drop Inn Stake as she got the better of Waymore Class by just half a length in the final buckle. The winner is owned by Patsy Joy from Killorglin.

A busy week ahead for coursing supporters begins with midweek meetings at Old Kilcullen and Glanworth, while the three-day Newcastlewest meeting gets underway on Friday morning.

John Paul Fitzgerald, on behalf of the the Killacolla Syndicate and the Fitzgerald family, receives the cup from Moss Joe Brown, sponsor of the cup, after their dog, Killacolla Jet, won the Dog Trial Stakes at Lixnaw last Sunday. Also presenting a...

Pat O’Keeffe presented the cup to Patsy Joy after his dog, Too Late Now, won the Dew Drop Inn Cup at Lixnaw on Sunday last. Also pictured are Sean Flaherty, William O’Shea, Martin Galvin and John Saunders.

John Saunders, Jonathan Best and Michael Kelliher pictured receiving the cup from the Murphy family after his dog, Bower Judy, won the Mikey Murphy Cup at Lixnaw last Sunday. Photos by David O’Sullivan

Paddy Quilter presents the O’Carroll O’Connor Cup to Donal O’Connell while Mike Barry presents a plague to Kathleen Casey O’Connell after Donal’s dog, Battle of the Boyne, won the O’Carroll O’Connor Cup at Lixnaw coursing on Sunday.