28/01/2012
The John Mitchell Open 525 at Clonmel continues to produce top class racing and the Owen McKenna trained Airforce Frankie (Westmead Hawk/ Wee Amy) was the star of Thursday’s semi-finals.
Flashing from traps and winning in 28.62. Four lengths clear at halfway, he kept on well to beat the slow starting Piercestown Sand by two lengths with Dysert OShea two and a half lengths third.
The Myles and Ann Lavery owned Milos Impact (Royal Impact/ Honey Princess) led all the way in the opening semi to beat Granada Sam by three lengths in 28.81. Mountaylor Ace was a four length third.
The way is clear for a very exciting final to the Tynwald Open 790 after two good semis. In the second the Sally Williams trained Aero Gaga (Kinloch Brae/ Great Madam) made all the running for a six length margin over Benro Sparky in 44.48.
The third heat saw Welesbourne Dan shoot into a clear lead but the Pat Buckley trained Incitatus (Rumble Impact/ Coolavanny Minor) produced a big finish to grab a half length margin in 44.57 with big finishing Kearneys Lucy a head adrift in third.
Chris and John Morrissey’s Oakfront Manuka (Head Bound/ Mitzie) stayed strongly when landing the first qualifier in 44.68 where the margin was two lengths from Shaneboy Dream.
There were a couple of smart runs in the heats of the Shaneboy Lee A2 Bitch Stake. In the first the Graham Holland trained Tynwald Destiny (Westmead Hawk/ Clemmas Destiny) led all when beating Ballyhooly Queen by three and a half lengths in 28.82 while the other heat saw Willie Barry’s Movealong Karen (Mustang Yank/ Movealong Sutty) lead all in beating Sunoak Riah by three lengths in 28.92.