Gone to the dogs: Six Offaly winners

Racing this week was heavily curtailed by  the weather, with many meetings and trialling sessions being postponed. The biggest loss to the weeks racing was the cancellation of the final of the Leger in Limerick but hopefully it will take place this coming Saturday by when this cold spell has hopefully lifted. There was however a limited programme of racing with some decent Offaly winners to boot with Mullingar once  again supplying the bulk of our winners. 

Early Week Racing

Thursday, Shelbourne, in the final of the Talking Dogs A4 sweepstake, Swift Yurt (Eden The Kid - Bramble Swift) was first home and received a cheque for €1.5k in 28.96 by a neck at 5/1 for Ciaran Thackaberry. First Offaly winner of the week was at this meeting, Carrick Eden won for Edenderry owner Thomas Glynn in an A4 grade in 29.01 by one length at 4/5 with David Murray training.

Friday Racing

Newbridge, another Edenderry owner and another winner as Arwen won for Paul Cronin in an ON2 unraced in 29.35 (20 slow) by two lengths at 6/4. In Shelbourne, in the second round of the Dublin Cup A1, six heats with Urban Fire going fastest for Rathangan owner Reggie Roberts in 28.31 by three lengths at 5/1. Other to catch the eye were Cheque For Sir in 28.39 for Karol Ramsbottom and last week’s fastest heat winner Hes The Greatest in 28.37 for Brendan Mathews.

In the semi-finals of the Barking Buzz A2 stake, Epic King won the first for Michael Donnelly in 28.94 by one length at 3/1 and Urban Parade the second for Roberts again in 28.61 by two lengths at 4/1.

Saturday Racing

Mullingar, in the first round of the December ON2 unraced stake, five heats with Kilbride Star easily doing the fastest run by a long way in a super 29.62 (70 slow) by a  margin of ten lengths at 2/5 fav for Edenderry trainer David Hanlon. David looks to have a bright prospect in this fella.

In the first round of one of the annual December stakes, The Shelbourne Christmas Oaks AAO, (won last year by Clona Skye for Graham Holland), four Heats, all won in serious times. Fastest of the four was Clogheen Lass for Holland who will be making a strong bid to retain this valuable trophy, Clogheen's winning time was 28.19, by ten lengths, at 7/4 fav. Other winners were, this year’s Derby finalist Marie's Wedding in 28.23 for Tamara Butler, Illnotbeback for Paul Hennessy in 28.50 and Ballymac Drama for Liam Dowling in 28.58.

One final on the night was an A3 stake, it turned out to be a great week for Reggie Roberts as he also won this, when Mr Big John (Droopys Sydney - Urban Time) stopped the clock in 28.87 by five lengths at 5/2 with another cheque for €1.75k going to Rathangan. 

Sunday Racing

Three Offaly winners at a foggy matinee meeting in Mullingar. In an A3 contest, Optic Xplosive won by a neck in 30.61 at 4/5 for David Hanlon again. In an A6 grade Killeshill Roxy was first home for Croghan owners Vincent and Mary Lynch in 30.44 by one length at a generous 11/1. Our final winner of the week was in an A5 race as Lingrawn Lola was first over the whitewash for Moneygall owner Mary Jones, in 30.04 by five lengths, at 6/4. All races in Mullingar were rated  .70 slow. 

Upcoming Events

Friday, quarter-finals of the Dublin Cup and final of the Barking Buzz A2 both at Shelbourne. Saturday, quarterfinals of the December unraced in Mullingar, semifinals of the Christmas Oaks in Shelbourne and final of the Matchbook Betting Exchange Irish St. Leger in Limerick.  Weather permitting. 

Tribune Offaly dog of the week

Kilbride Star gets the nod this week having delivered a serious 29.62 (70 slow) in Mullingar, on debut, for Edenderry owner/trainer David Hanlon by ten lengths.

Offaly Winners

Six Offaly winners this week. Congratulations to all involved in any way.