Hale Bopp shines in the claimer The 15/8 favourite Hale Bopp landed the opening claimer under Colin Keane. Registering his fourth win, the Belardo gelding, trained by Ger Lyons, raced in third and got a nice tow into the race. He came with a steady run in the straight to lead over a furlong out and never looked in danger thereafter as he accounted for the staying-on Rocky Dreams by a length. Akmaam, a former stablemate of the winner, ran his best race in Ireland so far in finishing third at a big price, a further three parts of a length away. Assistant trainer Shane Lyons said:- “He was entitled to do that. It's the last claimer on the programme, he's a genuine 84 horse and he's served us well. “I'd presume he will be claimed and wish the new party the best of luck. “He's a very genuine horse that loves it around here and loves good ground during the summer.” The winner was indeed claimed for 15,000 Euros by Patrick Sweeney to be trained by Dick Donohoe while runner-up Rocky Dreams was claimed by James McAuley for the same price. The latter's Prioritise (fifth) was acquired for 12,000 Euros by John McConnell who also claimed fourth home Halcyon Spirit for 5,000 Euros. Quotes from Gary Carson
