Clare’s Clonmel strike gets bigger

Clare’s representation for Clonmel is stronger after the weekend’s activities and the withdrawal of the Cooraclare qualifier from the Oaks.
Clogher Road (Janey Mac Aroo-Jeru), owned by Alphonsus Tubridy from Mullagh and Mullingar-based and Mullagh native Dr Paddy Kelly, won the Oak trial stake (16) at the Kilcreevin-Ballymoate coursing meeting over the Tubbercurry field last Sunday.
Trained by Gerry Holian, she beat Stand by Me in the semi-final and in the final got the better of New Era (Janey Mac Aroo-Ardnalee Orla), owned in Leixlip by the Brian O’Donnell syndicate. She also had outings in Miltown Malbay, Doon and Cooraclare and on each occasion was beaten by the eventual winner.
Another who is making a return to Clonmel for a shot at the Oaks is John Quinn from Woodpark, Newmarket-on-Fergus. His Woodpark Blaze (Murtys Blaze-Woodpark Rebel) was runner-up at the Cooraclare meeting, where she was beaten by the Ted Hegarty and Liam Foley-owned Wizard West.
However, the winner has been withdrawn from Clonmel and Woodpark Blaze will take her place in the draw.
Another Oaks runner representing Clare will be the Ballymena Oaks trial stake winner of Sunday last, Flagfield Swift (Windfarm-Reekie Daisy), owned by Gerry Flynn, Belfast. However, she has since been acquired by trainer Pat Curtin and Michael Eustace of Ennis and will run under the name Windfarm Swift in Clonmel.
In the all-age events, it is also looking good for Windfarm Eiscir and Ashmore Atlantic. Trained by Pat Curtin for Clare Eustace of Ennis, Windfarm Eiscir will probably make the eight for the Classic Club Champion Stakes with Kyle Basil, High and Mighty, Muckly Eamonn, Sold the Dream, March on Jungles and Marshals Safari. The reserves should be Brazing Serpent, Castlemartyr Lad, Borrowed Blue and Bright Engine.
Probable runners for the Grace Bruton Champion Stake are Ashwood Dee, Kingsmill Pearl, Class Attraction, Needham Time, Notindispute, Atlantic Ashmore, Quality and Dash and Beck Row Hyland. The reserves will be Why Tanyard Nina, Toome Ban, Same Over and Lets Sing Along.
Atlanic Ashmore is trained by Paddy Marrinan of Miltown Malbay and owned by him and Michael Corcoran, Oranmore and Eamonn Kiely, Cork.
Along with the Clonlara-owned Aristo Emperor, Michael Nestor’s Knockbrack Eoin, the ATM syndicate’s Murtys Return in the Derby and the Tom Fitzgerald (Parteen) owned Ocean Toulala in the Oaks, the Clare contingent will after all have a lot to occupy their minds in Clonmel.