The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Blades of Fire claims Island Cup as Nolan does double
BLADES of Fire (Adios Alonso/ Blades Of Glory) produced a foot perfect display to claim the Island Cup at the Cahill Park in Castleisland on Monday last.
The Gerry Holian trained Derby winner opened the 4/6 favourite and easily accounted for Tiernans Tank by six lengths in his opening course. He followed with a similar winning margin against Pause and Ponder to set up a semi-final course against the local runner Octane Wonder. Blades was quick to find his stride here and ran out a comfortable four-length winner. Kyle Mozart provided the opposition in the final and was very much the outsider of the pair at odds of 6/4. Blades was always in command of the buckle and powered away from his rival from slips and extended his lead to two lengths to secure victory. The winning nominators were Timmy and Tom Nolan, Castleisland.
The All Age Bitch Stake provided plenty of drama throughout with long odds favourite Nickies Betty bowing out in the opening round to Big One by a couple of lengths. The latter’s reign at the head of the market was short lived however as she failed to get to grips with big outsider A Tall Story.
Bluebird Wakey (Killimor Matey/ Wakey Wakey), on the other hand, was going about her business with the minimum of fuss and victories on finals day over Oilean Diligent (5l) and A Tall Story (3l) were enough for the Fr. David Gunn owned bitch to book the white collar in the final against Amys Jackpot. There was little to choose between the pair going to slips and it was 4/6 your choice on the boards. Bluebird popped out in front and showed good early place to clear her rival early on. She held a one length advantage by halfway and maintained her margin of dominance through to the opening score to take the points. Brosna’s John Murphy was the winning nominator.
Scartaglin trainer Mossie O’Connor continued his prolific start to the season when producing the impressive Frankies Call (NewInn Wonder/ Careful Holly) to claim the Oaks ticket with a dominant showing throughout the Stake. The even money favourite with four remaining on the final day of action, Frankies Call made light the challenge of Runformenow by 3 ½ to book her place in the deciding buckle. She attracted odds of 1/4 to prevail in the final against Southofhere and duly obliged. Quickly into her stride, the winner quickly opened a clear advantage over her rival and extended her lead on the rising ground to take the flag by 2 lengths. Owned by James and Padraig Buckley from Abbeyfeale, the April pup enters the Classic market at odds of 25/1.
Kyle Steel (Adios Alonso/ Blades Of Steel) is the new 12/1 favourite for Derby success following his impressive display in the Castleisland qualifier. Owned and trained by Marie Field from Patrickswell, the winner has serious ability and possesses a devastating kick from halfway. He surrendered ground early on in his semi-final success against Hemingway; however he quickly went through the gears and pulled clear of his rival from halfway to record a 3 ½ length victory. He again found himself behind in the opening strides of the final course against Sorry Not Sorry, however he again finished the course with a powerful kick to race two lengths clear of his rival to win.
There was a double on the card for Brosna trainer Neilie Nolan. First up was Out In Time (Thomas The Tank/ Blades Of Joy) who is jointly owned by his sons Jack and Michael. Coming from off the pace, he defeated Isle of Destiny by 1 ½ lengths in the deciding course of the 3-Course Duffer. The double was completed when the Jack McAuliffe owned Portinard John accounted for Your Point Being by 2 lengths in the final of the Hare Minding Dog Stake.
Careful Sylvie (NewInn Wonder/ Careful Betty) swooped late to claim the Bitch equivalent for Patie and Olga O’Sullivan from Scartaglin. Having surrendered early ground to Bymyspur, the winner finished with a flourish to take the plaudits by a length.
Finally, the Surplus Dog Stake was won by the impressive Canas Luis (Adios Alonso / Blades Of Steel) from the Lixnaw kennels of Paudie Lyons. The winner led throughout in the final against Spin The Whip and ran out a convincing 3 ½ length winner.