Ballygloss Angus outshone rivals in Liam Melly Memorial Final

Liam Melly Memorial 525 final was won by BALLYGLOSS ANGUS in 28.88.

On the front left we have Liam's granddaughter Sophie Melly who is presenting Sean Radcliffe with the winners trophy. Kneeling behind the winner we have Mairead Miller who is left of Stephen Radcliffe the winning owner/trainer, who in turn is to the left of Sean Melly who organised this event in his Uncle’s memory. Behind Mairead is Liam's wife, Annie Melly with Liam's 2 sisters behind her Claire & Marie Melly.  Many more of Liam’s family & friends are also included in the photo. 

Brandywell on Monday saw the Liam Melly Memorial final as the feature

On Monday evening at Brandywell, the spotlight shone on Ballygloss Angus after he landed the Liam Melly Memorial 525 final. 

The outcome of the final was determined almost from trap rise. Meenagh Manila and Justys Flyer faltered leaving the boxes which allowed Ballygloss Angus (Glengar Bale x Bogger Ophelia, Jul ’23), owned by Stephen Radcliffe, to seize an early lead and navigate the first corner unchallenged. Having shown decent stamina in prior races, Angus, as expected, expanded his lead to win in a fast time of 28.88, with the valiant Bogger Ollie three and a half lengths behind in second place. 

This triumph completed a successful night for owner Stephen Radcliffe, who celebrated a double after landing the opener with Backhomeinderry (Deerjet Sydney x Bogger Swift, Jun ’24) in the Taylorstown Schooling & Rearing Sprint on what was his career debut.  Drawn in trap 6, Backhomeinderry led the pack from the first bend and secured a three and a half length victory, crossing the line in 17.11. 

In race two, Pat Barrett's Quigleyspoint (Bogger Hunter x Ladyswell, May ’24) claimed the Georges Bar Sprint. After a moderate start from trap 2, Quigleyspoint skillfully navigated through some first bend crowd by slipping through on the inside rail to seize the lead and running on well to win by a length in 17.42.

Dellser Bolger (Ballymac Bolger x Fair Act, Jul ’23) rediscovered his form with a commanding win in race three, the On The Run Syndicate Sprint, for Richard Graham and Patrick Edgar. Racing from trap 2, Dellser Bolger took control into the home straight, clocking 16.95 with a two and a quarter length advantage over second-place Do It Bluff.

The Daniel White & James McGhee 500 saw Hugh Mallon's Longrange Comet (Ballymac Cashout x Droopys Ophelia, Jun ’24) flash out and away from trap 3. Securing a rail position, Comet dominated the race throughout to clock a winning time of 28.90 on just his second career start.

In race six, Ardagh Madrid (Broadstrand Bono x Venice, Sep ’22), despite a moderate start from trap 4, executed an impressive win in the Pyper & Parke Electrical 500 for Conor Crossan by keeping a middle to wide course to stay clear of crowding. Madrid kept up a relentless gallop throughout and overtook the early leader Honey Cash between the last two bends to claim victory by two lengths in 28.06.

Kevin O’Kane’s Sniper Orla Wray (Broadstrand Bono x Sniper Ria, Aug ’22) sped to victory in the finale, the Paul Ellis Sprint, with a brisk 16.67. From trap 2, she quickly built up a lead, maintaining her advantage to the finish line. Veteran Graigues Madam ran a great race in defeat finishing three and quarter lengths behind the winner in second place.

Thanks must go to Sean Melly for organising the event and to all the sponsors including Track Lotto who contributed to the overall generous prize packages on the night. 

Liam Melly's family and friends were once again welcomed to the track and Ballygloss Angus proved to be a deserving champion of this prestigious competition.

Pyper & Parke Electrical 500 was won by ARDAGH MADRID in 28.06. Pictured with Sean Melly (left) & Conor Crossan.

 Daniel White & James McGhee 500 was won by LONGRANGE COMET in 28.90. Pictured with (from left) Sean Rouse, Hugh Mallon and visitors from France, Valentin & Sophie.