Fiery Mick holds on by a neck to thwart brave Presto effort

THE SEMI-FINALS of the Future Champion 2024 and Michael Fortune Memorial Stake provided the feature event of the week at Enniscorthy greyhound stadium.

The first semi on Monday night was a cracking race, as trap two runner Annual Presto just about led to the opening bends, with trap three’s Rapido Bob and, on the outside, trap six runner Fiery Mick, also in contention.

The latter stormed to the lead at the third bend and looked like winning comfortably. However, Annual Presto was not done yet and put in a renewed challenge in the home straight.

Fiery held on by a neck in a fast 28.76, with Rapido getting the all-important third spot and qualifying for the final.

The second semi-final also saw a very competitive affair. The red-hot favourite, Ballymac Gizmo, looked in control going into the first bends but he was quickly passed by trap six runner Roanna Greeko.

Roanna moved on a few lengths to the good, with trap three runner Itsallabouted also getting involved and squeezing up the favourite at the third bend to go second.

The favourite was not done for, though, and Ballymac put in a powerful finish up the rail to get up and beat Itsallabouted by a length in a good time of 28.96, with Roanna in third spot a head away.

The three semi-finals of the Future Champion Plate were also run, and all three saw only 0.1 between them on time.

The first semi saw Coolpeach Ducks lead out of trap one, with trap three’s Corporal Jack getting on terms by the lower bends.

Coolpeach was not for giving in and it was only in the last strides that Corporal Jack got the upper hand to beat him by a length, in 29.24.

Race six, the second semi, went to the strong-running Piercestown Dude who led around the opening corners and went further and further away from the field to score an easy six lengths win in 29.23.

The third semi went to the early-paced trap six runner Amy’s Gem, who led all the way to beat trap one runner Ballinabola Fox by two lengths. The winning distance may well have been a bit flattering as the runner-up got checked at the third bend when in full flight and lost a few lengths.

Thursday night’s card was, like a lot of sporting events, affected by the weather, with the track running heavy and runners having to splash through the lying water in the home straight, but favourite backers did not do well.

Race one saw Connors Kobe track the leader down to the last bend before taking control in the straight to score a snug four-length win in the end in a time of 29.12.

Trap five runner Mickey’s Gambler took race two when this big 87-pounder went to the lead at the opening bends and went away to score a comfortable one and a half length win in a useful 29.20.

Race five saw a good run for trap four runner Tech Screw Jimmy who scored by six and a half lengths in a time of 29.12.

And that time was recorded for the third time on the night when Monalee Ruth got the better of De Drover by a length at odds of 6/4.

Waterford on Saturday night saw a fine double recorded by New Ross man Philip Lynch.

His Toker Paulie ran a super race to win the Getting Out A1 final, while Toker Pablo was a snug onelength winner in a good 28.78.

APRIL 1 RESULTS

The Future Champion 2024 and Michael Fortune Memorial semi-final, ON1, 525: 1, Fiery Mick (owner, Joe Devlin, Wexford town), 28.76; 2, Annual Presto, 28.78; 3, Rapido Bob, 29.02.

The Future Champion 2024 and Michael Fortune Memorial semi-final, ON1, 525: 1, Ballymac Gizmo (owner, Liam Dowling, Tralee, Co. Kerry), 28.96; 2, Itsallabouted, 29.03; 3, Roanna Greeko, 29.04.

Book your fundraiser at Enniscorthy track, A5, 525: 1, Kereight Ball (owner, Henry Kelly, Co. Carlow), 29.16; 2, Rathbally Sparta, 29.30.

Racing at the Showgrounds, A4, 525: 1, Nametab Freckles (owner, Eileen Bateman, Co. Carlow), 29.45; 2, Solent Bluebell, 29.47.

The Future Champion Plate semi-final, A0, 525: 1, Corporal Jack (owner, Declan Beary), 29.24; 2, Coolpeach Ducks, 29.31.

The Future Champion Plate semi-final, A0, 525: 1, Piercestown Dude (owner, Seamus Whelan, Piercestown; trainer, Liam Butler Snr., Wexford town), 29.23; 2, Cosy Bridie, 29.65.

The Future Champion Plate semi-final, A0, 525: 1, Amy’s Gem (owners, Patrick Whelan and Laura Earle; trainer, Patrick Whelan, Enniscorthy), 29.24; 2, Ballinabola Fox, 29.38.

Goodnight and safe journey home, A3, 525: 1, Me Fifi (owner, Kathleen English; trainer, Michael English, Co. Kilkenny), 29.31; 2, Airdown Ria, 29.36.

APRIL 4 RESULTS

Willie Colfer race, A3, 525: 1, Connors Kobe (owner, John Kearney, Co. Wicklow), 29.12; 2, Skyview Princess, 29.40.

Blooming event Foulksmills, A3, 525: 1, Mikey’s Gambler (owner, Michael Whelan, Enniscorthy), 29.20; 2, Related Set, 29.30.

Clongeen Transport, A6, 525: 1, Jessie’s Whisper (owner, David O’Brien, Enniscorthy), 29.91; 2, Tomahurra Bonnie, 29.96.

Moloney Windows, A7/8, 525: 1, Ballinabola Chip (owner, Brendan Murphy, Ballinaboola), 29.17; 2, Threebestfriends, 29.69.

M & C Furlong Transport, A5, 525: 1, Tech Screw Jimmy (owners, the What Are The Chances syndicate; trainer, Donal Kehoe, Enniscorthy), 29.12; 2, Hello Larry, 29.57.

Barrow Lifts, A5, 525: 1, Kilmalooda Kate (owner, Larry Power, Waterford), 29.47; 2, Seagrave Monday, 29.52.

Martin Sinnott Centra New Ross, A4, 525: 1, Monalee Ruth (owner, Mark Hatton; trainer, Thomas Codd, Enniscorthy), 29.12; 2, De Dorver, 29.19.

Eoin Banville Arctic Tack, A4, 525: 1, Swift Candyfloss (owner, Dylan Grannell, Enniscorthy), 29.28; 2, Sunfire Sophie, 29.56.