Owned by former Doora residents Bryan and Kathleen Murphy, Barefoot on Fire quickly developed a huge reputation after posting a red-hot 28.20 on debut at Curraheen Park but it’s fair to say he endured a stop-start career ever since. However, after some six week’s off from the racing circuit, the Paul Hennessy trained runner landed his opening round assignment in this stake and despite failing to raise a flag since, he ran an exceptional race on the night that mattered to land this valuable stake.
Kindly sponsored by William O’Hanlon, it was Glengar Jasmine who was installed as the even money favourite and rightly so after a series of thoroughly professional displays for Limerick regular, Corona Ryan. Next best in the market was the equally impressive Crafty Supremo at 5/2 and it was 3/1 Barefoot ahead of Traprise. Indeed, Glengar Jasmine broke swiftly from trap three but she found it tight for space on the run-up with the improving Crafty Supremo making fine ground in four, while Barefoot On Fire was also showing a nice turn of early speed from trap two.
As a result, the jolly was shuffled back in the field and it was Crafty Supremo who quickly shot into a two length lead from Barefoot On Fire in second. The latter excelled down the back and was showing fine speed entering the penultimate bend, however, the son of Grangeview Ten was again forced to check, allowing Crafty Supremo to once again hold all the aces. This wasn’t to prevent the Hennessy runner from coming back for more however, and he stayed on with real intent to fly across the line and seal a one length victory over Crafty Supremo in second, with Canya Dream also making the podium back in third.
At the same venue on Thursday afternoon card, there was thirteen races on offer and six of them came the home to the Banner County. In race 3 Asiam Ten recorded a second career success for Ross Kenny from Ennis, a son of Grangeview Ten and Blastoff Roisino he stopped the clock in 29.65.
Inislosky Cher landed the spoils in the fifth race for Mary Crotty from O’Briensbridge in 29.64, this was career win number four for this daughter of Malachi and Fireheight Cher. The Timothy Keane from Shannon owned Gandolfini, held on to claim the honor’s in an A4 contest in 29.39, trained by Tulla’s Donie Duggan, a son of Cabra Firminio and Cabfra Twister, this was career win number three.
Martin Kennedy from Killaloe was in the winner’s enclosure with Gortglas Dream, who won in 29.86, this was a for the career success for this daughter of Magical Bale and Our Mary’s Dream.
Newmarket on Fergus’ Myles Cummins recorded a double with kennel companions Two Pints and Snuggie Benny. Two Pints who is owned by the Guzzling Pints Syndicate from Quin, got back to winning ways with a 29.49 effort, this was career win number nine for this son of Paddys Magic and Miles Girl. Snuggie Benny completed the double in the finale of the evening, when Snuggie Benny who is owned by Breda Casey made no mistake to win in 29.43, this was a first career success for this son of Ballymac Cashout and Slaneyside Goldi.
