The Dan McCann Ulster 500 started on Monday at Brandywell

The Dan McCann Ulster 500, Round 1, Heat 1 was won by EAGER MARTY from Trap 4 in 28.28. Pictured with winning owner, Damien McConville.

Brandywell report from Monday

The three first round heats of the Dan McCann Ulster 500 A4/A5 competition were the focal points of Monday's seven-race program at Brandywell.

In the first heat, Damien McConville’s Eager Marty (Our Surprise x Eager Ember, Jan '24) clinched victory with 28.28, the fastest time of the first round. Starting from trap 4, Marty moved towards the rail and, despite a bump from Portrush Tootsie, took the lead at the first turn. By the third bend, he had significantly extended his lead to several lengths, yet only finished 0.5 length ahead of the strong running Scally Annie at the finish line. Meet More Often and Portrush Tootsie also progressed from this heat.

Heat 2 saw track veteran Inniskeen Mandy (Superior Panama x Slaneyside Kerri, Sep '21) demonstrate her continued enthusiasm for racing by winning with a time of 28.35. Starting from trap 3, Mandy initially trailed Lye In Wait and Josies Tenner but capitalized on her pace to overtake them at the third bend, crossing the line 1.5 lengths ahead of Lye In Wait. Josies Tenner and Caislean Champ also qualified for the next round.

The third and final heat was won by Shesafunnylady (Good News x Imfine Imgrand, Jul '23) in 28.31, owned by Gary Simpson. From trap 2, she took the lead at the first bend and maintained it against challenges from Creevy Pet & Galliagh Monko.  The later finished second with Creevy Pet securing third, and Up From Eskragh taking the last qualifying spot for the semi-finals.

The semi-final draws were set as follows:
- 1st Semi-Final draw: T1 Scally Annie, T2 Lye In Wait, T3 Inniskeen Mandy, T4 Shesafunnylady, T5 Eager Marty, T6 Creevy Pet
- 2nd Semi-Final draw: T1 Meet More Often, T2 Portrush Tootsie, T3 Caislean Champ, T4 Josies Tenner, T5 Up From Eskragh, T6 Galliagh Monko

Before these heats, the racing program began with sprint races. In Race 1, experience was crucial as Brendan Harkin’s Itsdowntoyou (Ballymac Best x Droopys Theme, Feb '23) from trap 6 outran less seasoned competitors, winning by 2.5 lengths in 17.34. He led from the start, maintaining a clear advantage and with some congestion behind him, he marked his third win in 17 races.

In Race 2 Ballyskeagh Nova from trap 6 took an early lead, but Jonathon Patton’s Bonnet Lily (Ballymac Cashout x Clondoty Amy, Jun '23) from trap 1 steadily gained ground. She navigated the bends well and took up the lead between the first and second turns, finishing 1.25 lengths ahead of Nova in 17.03.

Races 6 and 7 also covered the 500-yard distance. Porthall Finn (Ballymac Bolger x Porthall Maria, Oct '23) won his first race on his third start after a slow exit from trap 2. He showed impressive back straight & home straight pace to finish 4.5 lengths clear of his nearest rival in 28.61. It was a performance that ticked a lot of boxes and bodes well for Finn’s future.

The final race was won by Rein Back (Rileys Hill x Over Easy, May '23), owned by Damien Patterson and trained by Roy Ruddy, in 28.55. Starting from trap 2, Rein Back surged ahead around the first turn, maintaining his lead to the finish, beating Control Tower by 2.25 lengths, marking his fourth victory from 11 starts.

The Dan McCann Ulster 500, Round 1, Heat 2 was won by INNISKEEN MANDY from Trap 3 in 28.35. Pictured with Mairead Millar.

The Dan McCann Ulster 500, Round 1, Heat 3 was won by SHESAFUNNYLADY from Trap 2 in 28.31. Pictured with Christy Simpson.