In the Grand Prix three qualified from each of the two heats . The opening heat went the way of Supreme Sunshine with John Boyle in the bike . Boyle the oldest driver on the circuit proved yet again that age only a number. Immortal Mojo led for two circuits until Boyle swept past the field and won by four lengths with Lakeview Walter grabbing second from IB Maximus.
Cruise Hoard was all the rage in the second heat and landed the odds with consummate ease . Trailing thirty yards off the gate driver "Cool Hands" Timmy O Leary on Cruise Howard picked off his rivals one by one and hit the front on the final circuit of this famous oval and won by six lengths . He will again start as favourite in the Bank Holiday Final and will be urged on by the local partisan crowd at his home track.
Heat one of the Connolly Memorial on paper looked a shoot out between last weeks fastest winner Brywins Starship and Pan Cam Drift . Straship led after Pan Cam Drift broke at the Start and the order remained the same until the final three furlongs .All the while Pan Cam Drift drew closer and Mike Kelleher eased this Judge Cam filly to the front to score by three lengths.
Sunnyside Kildare really impressed in the second heat leading from the start and never looked in any form of danger and had eight lengths in hand on Llywns Allstar at the finish ."Kildare" will start as favourite in the final.
The third heat produced the best finish of the day . Springhill Doyle led for most of the journey. The Hitman came into contention and looked a winner but John Manning cajoled one final effort on Gadgie Pan to get the verdict on the wire .A neck given as the official distance
Racing resumes tomorrow Monday at 2,30 for Day two
by Tim Kelleher, for Harnesslink
RESULTS
MURPHY STOUT & CAMON BEVERAGES GRAND PRIX (Three to Qualify)
Heat One
1. J Boyle SUPREME SUNSHINE Owner
2. R Joyce LAKEVIEW WALTER M O Reilly
3. IB Stables IB MAXIMUS T Murphy
DIST 4l 2l 6 Ran
Heat Two
1. C O Brien CRUISE HOWARD T O Leary
2. DHK Racing RHYDS TRIXTER T Murphy
3. P Hill HAIL SPARTACUS Owner
DIST 6l 2l 7 Ran
PADDY CONNOLLY MEMORIAL (Two to Qualify)
Heat One
1. Kelleher Brothers PAN CAM DRIFT M Kelleher
2. M Healy BRYWINS STARSHIP Owner
3. N Forbes TYSON HOWARD Owner
DIST 2 1/2l 6l 6 Ran
Heat Two
1. S Buckley SUNNYSIDE KILDARE D Murphy
2. M O Brien LLWYNS ALLSTAR Owner
3. S & T O Reilly RINGO LADY T O Reilly
DIST 8l 12l 5 Ran
Heat Three
1. M Shanahan GADGIE PAN J Manning Jnr
2. J Hill THE HITMAN K Sheehy
3. M O Donovan MR SECURITY Owner
DIST NK 2 1/2l 6 Ran