Wind strongest in Sprint final thriller

LEADING trainer Pat Buckley has finally broken his National Sprint hoodoo.

After years of failing to land the prestigious Sprint title, his Southwind Wild prevailed in one of the most exciting Final finishes witnessed at the Dundalk circuit.

Another huge crowd was in attendance for the dual race day kindly sponsored by Bar One Racing.

The Irish Sprint Cup Final, worth 20,000 euro to the winner, was the highlight and didn’t disappoint.

Defending Champion Broadstrand Syd went to traps a well backed even money favourite while the Robert Gleeson trained Droopys Patriot also came in for plenty of support from the two box.

From the lift of the lids it was the orange sheet of Southwind Wild which showed narrowly ahead but was quickly joined by the Patriot and Syd as they battled for control of the inside berth.

The first bend was to prove crucial as Syd was forced to check, a move which probably cost him his title.

Southwind had gained a length advantage on the field rounding the second and final bend.

Patriot made one heroic effort to snatch the spoils in the final few yards but failed by just a short head.

In behind, Syd didn’t relinquish his title without a fight as he stormed up the rail to be beaten less than a length in third.

A great race for the ages and befitting of such a prestigious event. Barney O’Hare was on hand to present to the winning trophy to trainer Pat Buckley.

The race programme included a number of sweepstake finals and open events.

Laurence Jones was on the scoresheet with Lockstep in the ‘Fair Payback’ S2 400 Final, the camera needed again as the daughter of Droopys Scolari and Droopys Beaufort held on by a neck from the Michael Taggart trained Hackney Castle. It was good night for owner Stephen Townsley with Move Over Harry impressive in taking the A3 525 final in a smashing time of 28.76.

His Daniskas Diamond made it a double on the night clocking 28.67 in the Open Bitch 525.

Trainer Martin Lanney also celebrated a double courtesy of Woodcliff Duke and Wiffens Gold, the latter gamely making all in the A4 decider.

Horseracing

Over the years leading trainer Aidan O’Brien has used the Dundalk All Weather circuit to unleash stars of the future.

Pierre Bonnard, a Camelot colt, looked a horse of real quality as he romped home in the Irish Stallions EBF Maiden.

Chris Armstrong was on hand to welcome in the winner and post race outlined a tilt at the Goofs Million or a trip to Newmarket in the coming months.

The 50,000 euro Red Cod Handicap went to leading trainer Adrian McGuinness and Tribal Star, while the easiest winner on the day came in the lucky last as Church Mountain lumped top weight for trainer Denis Horgan.