STUNNING EARLY SPEED FROM KATSUMOTO IN FEATURE SPRING DEBY FINAL

Barry Drake

Katsumoto made the most of the rails pitch to win the final of the €7,500 to the winner A2 Spring Derby at Curraheen Park on Saturday night.

Trained by Gerry Holian for owners Basil and Bernadette Holian, the even-money favourite put on another stunning front-running winning performance. It was a career-best effort in the feature final and it was needed to land the spoils. Showing massive early speed, he looked in total control at halfway, however, it got very close late on as Ballymac Slick came with a powerful late run. Just holding on, the early-paced winner got the verdict by a neck, in 28.52. A wonderful event is the last couple of weeks and a worthy winner on the night. 

Clasheen Iris is a youngster going places and the September puppy put on a strong and gutsy performance to win the €1,000 to the winner Jerry Mangan Memorial A6/A7 final. Owned by Marguerite Grassick and family, this was a fantastic winning run from the 4-5 favourite who looked in trouble early on. Overcoming the crowding in running, the impressive winner came from well off the pace to beat Elegant Surfer, by a length and a half, in 29.24. 

Racing ended with a fantastic winning effort from Dellser Bells. Owned by Paul Keniry, the 5-2 winner came away racing and she led all the way to win the A1 575. Ballyholly Teejay showed massive staying power late on, but the bird had flown up front, and two and a half lengths separated them at the line, in 31.28.

In the previous race, Bouncing Lad returned to top form with a fantastic effort in the A0 525. Trained by Pat O'Connell for the Bouncing-Lad-Syndicate, the 9-4 shot took up the running at the opening bends and he pulled away for a really likable winning run. A 28.58 winning run, seven lengths clear of Garfiney Blake. 

In the SS0 Sprint, Footfield Viloet made it two from two when getting the better of Burgess Jack in a thrilling contest. The 2-1 second choice of the punters just got the job done in a ding=dong battle. Half a length the margin, in 17.86. Trained by Johnny Linehan for Martin Hagan, the August youngster rates an exciting talent.