Star Sports, Arc and LPS Derby First Round
Saturday June 22nd Semi-finals
We're down to six and the annual pilgrimage across the pond will see the Irish with four runners to cheer come next Saturday night.
We had six going to traps and with the draw, it was possible to the get five through to the final but that was reduced to a possible four when Ballyanne Sim failed to lead in the opener before eliminated as Priceless Blake produced a stunning finish to qualify from a near impossible position at the top of the back-straight.
Our big highlight however was filling the three qualifying places in the second semi-final as Clonbrien Prince and Skywalker Logan served up a thriller while the wonderful Ballymac Tas ensured that she will be the only bitch in the final when again qualifying from a horrendous draw.
We started with 37 runners which was less than 1/5 of the field and going into the final, we now have 2/3 of the runners. Our survival rate has been ahead of our percentage runners in every round, a brilliant display from our team and the ominous factor now is that all four looked as good tonight, even in defeat, as they have been throughout.
I'm still on the fence about this delayed final draw but a few days to settle after all we have seen will at least give me time to print the boarding pass and find the correct size carry-on. Here's hoping we all need a second carry-on full of Ben Keith cash for the flight home! Come On Ireland!!
1st semi
1 Droopys Expert
2 Magical Bale
3 Dorotas Wildcat
4 Ballyanne Sim (Mark Robinson)
5 Priceless Blake (Paul Hennessy)
6 King Sheerhan (w)
2-1-5 29.42
Oh well, our hopes of getting two through here were always going to be ambitious and although Sim trapped well enough, he was immediately looking to go left and the Wildcat wasn't for shifting. A brush between those meant that they could never wish to live with Magical Bale who again got it all right from trap rise and was dominant for the fourth week in a row. He had already taken the captain's armband for the UK team and is going to prove difficult to contain in the final.
A man that knows how to get the job done in the final however has guided the first of his semi-finalists through here and it was a simply superb performance from Paul Hennessy's Priceless Blake to qualify in third. Very slow to stride, he would move markedly left on the run to the bend when behind runners, so much so that he struck the rail, but despite advancing to fourth at the top of the back-straight, he really was out with the washing and given the class of runner ahead of him, he was out!
Closing on Droopys Expert to the home-straight was laudable enough in itself but his sustained effort would see him closing further on that rival and the defending champ close home before eliminating the Wildcat when gaining an unlikely third place.
A wonderfully game performance from a bad draw in a hot heat. Please, please reward him with more fortune in the drum this week. Disappointing for Sim but given the way the heat panned out, it deserves an Irish Oi Oi. We will have a minimum of two Irish in the final at the very least.
2nd semi
1 Skywalker Logan (Pat Guilfoyle)
2 Queen Beyonce
3 Clonbrien Prince (Graham Holland)
4 Roxholme Glory
5 Ballymac Tas (Liam Dowling)
6 Jaytee Taylor (w) (Paul Hennessy)
3-1-5 29.40
Oi Oi Oi, The Irish tri-cast in a thrilling contest where the first two crossed the line practically in unison and the tenacious Tas held off Taylor for third.
We finally got the better of Queen Beyonce who exits the Derby with the admiration of the entire greyhound world and it was a bang break from the Prince which effectively won the heat and he presented so fresh while leading to the opening turn.
Logan was in the process of the defending his rails pitch to follow him around and the inside was the place to be with practically a line of five behind the leader. The five were in slow motion at the first bend as the concertina effect saw all suffer some manner of a bump but it did leave the four Irish runners in the forward positions to the back-straight.
Prince was away and gone with Logan about five lengths behind so that was the forecast sorted and the only question really was if Taylor could run down Tas from a length behind to claim third.
Out front, Logan was admirably reducing his deficit with every stride from halfway and for a brief moment going to the line, it looked as if he would overhaul Prince in the photo. A brilliant performance from the winner who got everything right and equally brilliant from Logan who in reality is probably the only runner in training who could make that kind of ground on Prince.
In behind, Tas gamely held off the attentions of Taylor and in fairness to Taylor, she was a real wrong runner to have in front, especially after taking such a heavy bump at the first bend. However, this was quality from Ballymac Tas who will now be the only bitch in the final and her passage has been nothing short of astounding. The class that she has been required to display in this event from repeated poor draws, it's bordering on the incredulous and that class gives her a chance in the final if she can eventually get a favourable draw because we know she can go to a bend.
Filling the trio here is just wonderful for the Irish challenge and gives us four runners from four different kennels next week. It's going to be a saucy draw with the seeded runners gone but Prince was faster than Bale this week, a significant difference from last week, so although the UK team will have the favourite, are ours tiring less? Or even coming forward? A week to ponder it all! Come On Ireland!!
_______________________
Saturday June 15th Quarter-Finals
It's getting more difficult each week, as it should, but the Irish team have increased the percentage of runner remaining each week so far and now we stand at 50% of the semi-final line-up. With Rab McNair's runners, that's more than the English! Oi Oi.
For the most part, our night was spent battling for places and we only claimed one heat win as Priceless Blake took the opener in brilliant fashion. He is showing pace all around the Nottingham circuit and is no longer a Hennessy dark-horse but a real contender.
We saw improvement from Jaytee Taylor despite defeated again tonight as his trainer maintains an ominous presence, a comment that could also be thrown at Skywalker Logan who qualified from the same Heat 4 when all but eliminated at the second bend.
Clonbrien Prince lost his unbeaten tag in Heat 3 but Graham Holland will have been delighted with his performance and although we had to give best to Queen Beyonce once again, Ballyanne Sim bouncing back to near his best was a real highlight, even if it did chiefly account for the cruel exit of Paganini Show.
We lost some leading hopes tonight, which was inevitable but six through from 10 is good work. Now three in each semi please.....Come On Ireland!!
Heat 1
1 Roxholme Jim
2 Priceless Blake (Paul Hennessy)
3 Roxholme Glory
4 Droopys Verve
5 Wildfire Jimmy
6 King Sheeran (w)
2-6-3 29.49
Oi Oi. We're off and running with a brilliant performance from the young Hennessy star and how brave he was to strike the front at the crown of the bends.
Out-trapping Jim to his inside was always going to be crucial and contesting the lead with Glory to his outer, it looked as though he would have to settle for chasing that rival around but Glory left a gap and Blake needed no second invitation to power clear while impressively galloping the bends at pace.
He still had Glory chasing to the closing bends but stronger than that runner, he pretty much had the race in the bag while again staying stoutly to the line as King Sheeran finished with his customary flourish to take 2nd.
A big blow for the UK team with Verve duly finding plenty of traffic from his complicated draw but this was all about Blake. A brilliant start for the raiding party! Come On Ireland!!
Heat 2
1 Lemon Shane (Gerry Holian)
2 Ballymac Tas (Liam Dowling)
3 Droopys Expert
4 Dower Rory
5 Magical Bale
6 Worseforwear (m) (Peter Cronin)
5-3-2 29.14
Well it was always going to be a tough heat for the Irish and we were made to settle for just one qualifier from our three runners and that was mainly down to breaking.....the brilliant break from Magical Bale and the very disappointing breaking from our trio.
Hats off to the winner, it was Bale at his best and he reduced what could have been a very complicated draw to a very simple task. Immediately in command at trap rise, he reduced the race to a procession. A proven competition racer, he could be taking the captain's arm-band from the Wildcat fairly soon.
As for our eliminated duo, neither Worseforwear or Lemon Shane landed a blow after tardy starts and it was very disappointing that they were never in a position to give their running. However, the wonderful Tas performed with great credit and taking her chance to seize third at the bend, she ran strongly in behind thereafter. Please, please reward her with a draw. She still hasn't produced her best a Nottingham yet....but, she's there and her best can still rattle this.
A tough one to swallow, especially for yours truly being invested in Worseforwear and a big fan of Shane, but we have two through from four, not a disaster yet.
Heat 3
1 Front Edge
2 Queen Beyonce
3 Paganini Show (Pat Buckley)
4 Ballyanne Sim (Mark Robinson)
5 Clonbrien Prince (Graham Holland)
6 Antigua Romeo (m)
2-5-4 29.56
Ooooooh! I thought for one brief moment that we could get the dream tricast and we did what we needed to do, we led the Queen but before we even discuss the Irish, you just have to pay homage to the canine definition of X-factor......Beyonce is a rockstar!
We got two through and Ballyanne Sim answered the call in a big way this week. He had to get back to his good breaking and show that brilliant early pace. Once he did, he predictably led and it was in fact Prince following him to the corner. We couldn't quite cut Beyonce off however and she would power around on the rails to chase Sim down the back.
Prince was ahead of Paganini Show in the battle for third when passing halfway but as the field began to tighten at the closing bends, any result was possible. Sim was all out to stay in front as Beyonce joined him in the straight while Show and Prince were in an almighty battle themselves while drawing ever closer to Sim.
The astounding Beyonce asserted close home and is now the only unbeaten runner. The scramble in behind needed a photo to sort our our trio as Prince just collared Sim on the line while the last Buckley runner was run-out of a place despite running an absolute cracker after early trouble.
All three ran brilliantly but someone had to lose out. 2 for 3 is good in terms of the overall Irish picture and we now have four through from seven.
Heat 4
1 Nice Charmer (Graham Holland)
2 Skywalker Logan (Pat Guilfoyle)
3 Master Reed
4 Dorotas Wildcat
5 Lemon Ronald (m)
6 Jaytee Taylor (w) (Paul Hennessy)
4-6-2 29.38
Yeah, yeah, we'll take this. We didn't get the winner but this was encouraging from our two qualifiers behind the defending champion.
Firstly, this was brilliant from Wildcat and no matter what happens from here on, this has been an awesome defence already from the the 4-year-old. Just a level break, but he drew clear on the run to the bend and led throughout. He's back on the clock from last week but still, he is a big big player.
The encouragement for our duo however is clearly evident with Jaytee Taylor much more forward on the run to the bend this time and getting around without any major interference when brushing off Nice Charmer, he made up plenty of ground on the Wildcat from halfway when advancing from third, to be beaten by only a length. Two through for Hennessy and that man knows what it takes!
Predictably, Logan would struggle to clear Nice Charmer and he duly got in bother at the opening bends. He was all but eliminated off the second bend with a host of strong runners ahead of him. He had closed to the bottom bends but still had a wall of runners in front and taking aim at Lemon Ronald, passing that rival to qualify was no mean feat.
Both our qualifiers here are going to need a final line-up that suits as there remains runners who will lead them to the corner. But how many early pacers will reach the final?? If not many, these two are huge players. Two from three....we'll take that and it makes six in the semis! Come On Ireland!
SEMI DRAW
1st semi
1 Droopys Expert
2 Magical Bale
3 Dorotas Wildcat
4 Ballyanne Sim
5 Priceless Blake
6 King Sheerhan (w)
2nd semi
1 Skywalker Logan
2 Queen Beyonce
3 Clonbrien Prince
4 Roxholme Glory
5 Ballymac Tas
6 Jaytee Taylor (w)
___________________________________
Considering that we had five drawn in one heat last week, we certainly can't be complaining about the more pleasing spread of runners across the quarter-final draw for the ten-strong Irish team that remain in the Derby.
It is in fact possible to get all ten Irish through to the semi-finals as we have no more than three in any heat, Ha, what price that happening?!!
Still, we had less than 20% of the runners in this event so our survival rate has been well above the averages throughout and a realistic target now should probably be to get six through to the semis, hitting what would be a very impressive 50% of the remaining twelve.
Heat 1
1 Roxholme Jim
2 Priceless Blake (Paul Hennessy)
3 Roxholme Glory
4 Droopys Verve
5 Wildfire Jimmy
6 King Sheeran (w)
All hopes in the opener will be with Priceless Blake as one of two Paul Hennessy survivors and although his draw is not without complications, we must believe that he will advance with anything approaching a clear run. Yes it could get tight on the run-up as both Keightly runners on either side can go well to the corner, never mind Verve further out, but Blake's qualification is not dependent on leading.
Verve will have his own problems in trying to clear all three to his inner, especially if he doesn't reproduce last week's improved start and at least Blake only has one to clear to his inside, and, of the two Roxholme's, Jim is probably the one you would prefer in there. A word of caution though, Jim gave the first bend a wide berth last week and doesn't look assured to scrape paint! So maybe Blake needs to clear him for safe passage.
Could do Worse than take a Nap
Heat 2
1 Lemon Shane (Gerry Holian)
2 Ballymac Tas (Liam Dowling)
3 Droopys Expert
4 Dower Rory
5 Magical Bale
6 Worseforwear (m) (Peter Cronin)
My word Heat 2 is vicious and an Irish tri-cast here should probably be about 1000/1 against! Bale will probably have to get it wrong at traps to be contained on the run to the bend but he'll be looking to go left and the NAP of the night here has to be Worseforwear as far as I'm concerned........because, he's around 7/2 right now and I believe he's 50/50 to win the heat.
He's showing the early pace and running a good line to the corner from middle draws so far. I suggest he's 50/50 to win because firstly, he is going to have complete freedom on the run-up as Bale moves left. Secondly, and here's the deciding factor, the inside is going to be like a a concertina because Lemon Shane is going to move right out of Trap 1. It could be five dogs getting squeezed into the width of two traps by halfway to the bend.
If Bale bombs away and clears the runners to his inside, he most likely wins in dominant fashion once more but if he fails to get across without interference, the race should and probably will be presented to Worseforwear on a plate! He would be much shorter than 7/2 if I was brave enough to make a book!
Win or not, Worseforwear qualifies here in my predictions but it won't be so simple for the other two. All connected to Shane will tell you that he has his box now. It really suits him because when he breaks and retains command of the rails, his edge right sees him swing the bend at speed and invariably sees him at his brilliant best. With the way I think the race will run, it gives him every chance to qualify given that the inside will be such a help when the bumps do come.
I feel aggrieved for Tas here because she has been struggling through poor draws so far and now when she did get closer to the rail, she has the real wrong runner to her inner. I have been waiting for her to get loose and show the UK audience why I believe that she is a monster of greyhound racing but excepting a bang break, I don't see how she can get clear room here. It really does look like she will be the meat in the Shane and Expert sandwich but such is my admiration, I'm unwilling to fully count her out because in fairness, this heat is just as scary for Expert and Rory to her outer.
Sim key in Heat three
Heat 3
1 Front Edge
2 Queen Beyonce
3 Paganini Show (Pat Buckley)
4 Ballyanne Sim (Mark Robinson)
5 Clonbrien Prince (Graham Holland)
6 Antigua Romeo (m)
Right, it's time now for our own Derby champion to put the pedal to the metal and get back on the bunny, not only for his own chances but if Ballyanne Sim can produce his best to the first bend, I'd suggest that he would help his fellow Irish runners in the process.
Beyonce will probably be favourite here and why wouldn't she be?! She's an absolute diamond and the one UK runner in the Derby that I am truly covetous of. That said, it's about time we gave her something to think about on the back-straight, ie. get in front of her! Harder to do than say!
The likeliest to do that would be Ballyanne Sim if he broke well to sweep across in front of her to the first bend. Beyonce could then be in a world of hurt, especially if checked or crowded because apart from Romeo and Front Edge, she would have a pair of strong Irish runners who would make her battle for qualification.
Why I emphasise Sim here is because if he does get it right at traps and use his quality early pace to lead, he would be giving Clonbrien Prince a gorgeous tow to the back-straight and in that scenario, Prince would win, surely?! If this materialises, then the scramble is on for the places in a major way.
How long will Sim last out front?! And, where will Beyonce be in relation to Paganini Show? The latter Buckley runner is strong and while I don't expect him to match Beyonce early, I do believe his strength from halfway gives him every chance of qualifying at the very minimum.
The other side of the coin is, Beyonce leads on the inner, fends off Sim and Prince for command of the rail and scoots away to remain unbeaten. In that case, I still see Prince qualifying and/or challenging her for the win, and, it still remains entirely possible that Prince leads Ballyanne Sim himself, such has been his recent displays.
Getting three through is dependent on Sim leading I believe. If Sim gets it wrong, I think it's a match with Prince and Beyonce while Paganini Show can have realistic claims to qualify in either scenario, given his strength from halfway. Not simple!
Three into two won't go?!
Heat 4
1 Nice Charmer (Graham Holland)
2 Skywalker Logan (Pat Guilfoyle)
3 Master Reed
4 Dorotas Wildcat
5 Lemon Ronald (m)
6 Jaytee Taylor (w) (Paul Hennessy)
A dangerous heat for the Irish with the defending champ doing everything right at present and all bias aside, he looks a banker for the UK team as even Logan would have a job on to pick him up beyond halfway, and, it's going to be very hard to stop him leading.
The draw is everything here however and I would suggest that it has worked out ideally for two of our three runners. Nice Charmer may not blow everyone away on the clock but I've said it time and again throughout his career, he is a wonderful competition greyhound. Pace at all points over 550 yards, reinforced while holding off Tas last week, and is not that far off the best of them in the early stages.
As a fan of Charmer, you have to believe that he can at least match Logan to the first bend and if retaining control of the rails throughout, he will prove extremely difficult to keep out of the places, regardless of what Wildcat does.
There has been some utterances of concern about outside runners in this Derby but not about Jaytee Taylor. He's not showing enough on the run-up in this event but neither did Jaytee Jet and the crucial thing about his running is that his wide path is keeping him safe where he is strongest, at the bottom bends and in the home-straight.
It won't be simple coming from off the pace this time however with both Master Reed and especially Lemon Ronald able to finish strongly. They are two UK runners who could possibly complicate the latter stages for Taylor and throw in Skywalker Logan, the easy late pickings will be much slimmer this time. That said, Taylor's power has every claim to see him through with the draw a big bonus.
So, what about the fastest runner of the Derby so far?! It certainly is not ideal for Skywalker Logan to have Nice Charmer to his inside now but that shouldn't immediately have him in bother. Logan can go to a bend, 4.99 and 5.02 don't lie! It was not his fault that he failed to get around safely last week when Volcanic Reef nearly shunted him out of the Derby and who knows what he would have done without that interference.
Nice Charmer absolutely has to fend Logan off to qualify, but it's not the same assertion the other way around. There is the worry of Wildcat sweeping across in front of both but Logan surely only needs to match Charmer to the bend for safe passage?! Charmer will rail, and thus, we shouldn't see a repeat of last week's scary thump for Logan.
If we're gong to get Wildcat beaten here, it's Logan who can do it, by leading Charmer for control of the inside and what a sight it would be to see him and the Wildcat neck-n-neck down the back. Overall though, Wildcat surely takes a place in the next round because there isn't the early either side to get him into any kind of bother to the bend. So it looks like two from three for Ireland at best.
___________________________
Heat 1
1 Roxholme Jim
2 Priceless Blake (Paul Hennessy)
3 Roxholme Glory
4 Droopys Verve
5 Wildfire Jimmy
6 King Sheeran (w)
Heat 2
1 Lemon Shane (Gerry Holian)
2 Ballymac Tas (Liam Dowling)
3 Droopys Expert
4 Dower Rory
5 Magical Bale
6 Worseforwear (m) (Peter Cronin)
Heat 3
1 Front Edge
2 Queen Beyonce
3 Paganini Show (Pat Buckley)
4 Ballyanne Sim (Mark Robinson)
5 Clonbrien Prince (Graham Holland)
6 Antigua Romeo (m)
Heat 4
1 Nice Charmer (Graham Holland)
2 Skywalker Logan (Pat Guilfoyle)
3 Master Reed
4 Dorotas Wildcat
5 Lemon Ronald (m)
6 Jaytee Taylor (w) (Paul Hennessy)
Third Round
Friday June 7th
Hard to believe that we are down to 24 runners already and following a simply brilliant session of racing from a high-class Derby field, the Irish are in a very good position ahead of the quarter-finals.
We entered the round with 13 runners following the withdrawal of Braveheart Bobby and with the make-up of the draw, we could qualify a maximum of 12 runners.
On a night of repeated brilliance, we managed to get ten through to the last 24. Now that is a very impressive survival rate. In all, we contested six of the eight heats and won 3!
Earning our highlight of the night this week is Clonbrien Prince and he certainly looks at home on the circuit. Remaining unbeaten, he posted a brilliant 29.19 as Ballyanne Sim battled bravely to qualify in behind.
Heat 5 was somewhat of a heat of death with four of the five runners while assured to lose at least one but we filled the tricast here with Paul Hennessy overcoming his horror draw as the admirable Priceless Blake led home Jaytee Taylor with Worseforwear third.
A further forecast came in Heat 7 when the thoroughly likable Nice Charmer got the better of a cracker with Ballymac Tas as both qualified safely.
Overall, a brilliant session for the raiding team as we reinforced our designs on the premier UK event.
Come On Ireland!
As it happened..........
Heat 1
1 Droopys Expert
2 Dorotas Wildcat
3 Bockos Doomie
4 Roxholme Glory
5 Cooneen Jack
6 Dorotas Woo Hoo (w)
2-4-1 29.28
No Irish in the opener but the defending champion is really warming to his 2019 task and it was his powerful pace to the corner which secured safe passage from what could have been a precarious draw.
Breaking on terms, he drew clear for a one length lead upon turning when followed through by Roxholme Glory ahead of Droopys Expert as this pair exchanged a bump at the second bend. That order would remain the same to the line but this really was all about the winner who if continuing to break adeptly, will not surrender his crown to easily. Confirms his place as captain of the home team, impressive!
Heat 2
1 Emers Cookie
2 Master Reed
3 Droopys Verve
4 Raise The Stakes
5 Desperado Dan
6 Antigua Romeo (m)
3-6-2 29.14
The big guns for the home team are firing on all cylinders so far and the first two home last year now take the first two heats tonight.
Verve broke well and only for Skywalker Logan, he would have claimed a track record when two spots under the previous of 29.16 which belonged to Sawpit Sensation. From a level break he displayed smart early pace and comfortably outpaced those to his inner and while Antigua Romeo broke well, he was never going to match last year's runner-up.
From that point, it was very straightforward but as easy as it was, it was hugely impressive. The class of 2018 are as good if not better in 2019. Track is running fast!!!
Heat 3
1 Seaglass Phantom
2 Bull Run Button
3 Clonbrien Prince (Graham Holland x2)
4 Roxholme Jim
5 Ballyanne Sim (Mark Robinson)
6 Droopys Trapper (m)
3-4-5 29.19
Woohoo, Woohoo!! The Irish roar into action in Round 3 and it could hardly have gone any better in a sizzling clock from Clonbrien Prince who left traps on a perfect stride before dominating on the run to the bend.
From there, it was the procession that we would expect and he reduced the heat to a virtual solo trial. Everything should have suited Prince heading to Nottingham and still unbeaten in the Derby he is proving that this circuit is right up his street. Couldn't have been more impressive.
Behind Prince, we had a sweat with Ballyanne Sim but he ran a cracker from a nightmare draw and proves, as he did when reaching a Produce Stakes final at home and his Derby winning campaign, that it is never over in competition terms just because he doesn't lead.
Connections would have bitten your hand off for third here and having suffered a bump on the run-up while all the time waiting for an opportunity to move towards the rail, he gratefully got across in third when turning. Remaining in that position to halfway, a couple threatened to eliminate our Derby hero but he was resolute on the run home and gamely defended his qualifying spot, earning his place in the draw for a chance to get that coveted red jacket next time.
This deserves a big Oi Oi! Come On Ireland!
Heat 4
1 Liberty Hawk
2 Swift Jim
3 Volcanic Reef
4 Skywalker Logan (Pat Guilfoyle)
5 Dower Rory
6 Headford Maurice (m)
5-2-4 29.99
Phew! I'll confess, I was screaming track record halfway to the bend here when Logan poked his head in front following a level break. Edging across to the inside on the approach to the corner, he found the monster that is Volcanic Reef impossible to budge and heavy bumping looked as if it could have ended Logan's participation when well adrift while disputing fourth to the back-straight.
Up front, Swift Jim was the beneficiary when sneaking through on the rails to lead down the back but he had Dower Rory breathing down his neck in the home-straight......but he didn't welcome it and turned his head to let Rory know same!
In behind, Logan was recovering with his powerful back-straight pace getting him into contention for a place at the closing bends and he duly powered up the home-straight when eventually going down by less than half a length at the line. A brilliant battling effort when it had looked so, so dangerous.
In the wake of victory, Swift Jim was disqualified for his indiscretion close home and just two will qualify from this heat. Three from Three into the next round for Ireland. Come On!!
Heat 5
1 VACANT (Braveheart Bobby out)
2 Priceless Blake (Paul Hennessy x2)
3 Plaza Lep
4 Ballymac Anton (Liam Dowling x2)
5 Worseforwear (m) (Peter Cronin x2)
6 Jaytee Taylor (w) (Paul Hennessy)
2-6-5 29.41
Oi Oi Oi....We were always going to lose a runner from this heat and crowding on the approach to the turn done for Anton when forced to check and he had the real wrong dog behind when chased by Taylor to the back-straight.
Gaining the trio here is huge for our challenge and offered the freedom of the inside, Priceless Blake did everything right when defending the rail against Worseforwear at the first bend. The latter had lost his hind legs a touch when breaking and would probably have led otherwise but forced to go the long way around Blake at the bends, he would cede ground as Blake powered down the back.
Priceless Blake maintained a powerful gallop throughout when continuing to draw clear of the Cronin charge on the run to the line and last of the five runners off the second bend, Jaytee Taylor stayed very strongly once more to ensure a Hennessy forecast when collaring Worseforwear close home.
Plenty to be encouraged about for all three qualifiers but Blake the boss tonight and highly impressive while doing it. Come On Ireland. It was only possible to have six qualified at this stage....and we do!
Heat 6
1 Wildfire Jimmy
2 Queen Beyonce
3 Lemon Shane (Gerry Holian)
4 Ballymac Osby
5 Knockduff Declan (m)
6 Lemon Express (w) (Peter Cronin)
2-1-3 29.49
This could have been better because we have lost our second runner of the night but we did gratefully get Lemon Shane through when things definitely did not go his way.
It was a little surprising to see him move to the right when drawn where he was and that move earned him a bump on the run-up while arguably costing him the heat because he would most likely have led around the first bend if he had run straight.
Instead, he allowed the brilliant Queen Beyonce up his inner and that led to a heavy bump for Shane upon turning. He had to battle and recover his stride to retain second to the back-straight, which was no simple task.
The win claims were gone at this stage because the Queen was out on her own as she again displayed the brilliance that makes her the best bitch in the UK and again proves that the boys will not bully her. She completed in the manner of a real Derby contender and is only adding to her fan base with every outing....pure class!
Shane was run out of second in the home-straight here but in fairness he had plenty done by that stage and fully deserved his qualifying place. Lemon Express made his exit and it was his struggles with breaking at Nottingham which cost him, even though he did run a cracker after his awkward start. We'll take it. Seven through at this stage from a possible eight!
Heat 7
1 Slaheny Star
2 Front Edge
3 Nice Charmer (Graham Holland)
4 Ballymac Tas (Liam Dowling)
5 Antigua Sands (m)
6 King Sheeran (w)
3-4-6/2 29.42
Oi Oi!! An Irish forecast and we had this sorted on the run to the bend as Charmer & Tas disputed the lead.
In the many, many articles I have penned in which Nice Charmer featured, I have always maintained that he is a wonderful competition runner and he never lets it down. Here, he repelled Tas on the run-up and the draw was essentially the difference between the pair.
Charmer led round and had poached nearly two lengths approaching halfway before Tas began to close. Forced to stall her challenge when headed to the third bend, Tas would wait to deliver a challenge on the inside of Charmer late on but the Holland charge was not for passing. Three parts of a length will probably be the distance but we care little because we got the forecast in safe manner. Woohoo!
In behind, King Sheeran and Front Edge dead-heated for third and I believe both will advance to the next round given that there is a vacant box available following the disqualification of Swift Jim. **Confirmed...both will go through!
Nine through from a possible ten. That'll do!!
Heat 8
1 Paganini Show (Pat Buckley x2)
2 Jelly Flood
3 Magical Bale
4 King Dylan
5 Lemon Ronald (m)
6 Droopys Davy (w) (Pat Buckley)
3-1-5 29.22
Pat Buckley is well used to the ups and downs of English Derby contention and he had more here. It was Magical Bale who dominated and moving inwards, crowded Jelly Flood to his inner before powering clear to the bend. He would completely dominate the race once securing that lead and he appears back to his brilliant best having now gone back-to-back in fast times.
The young Paganini Show must take huge credit however after early bumps for he bravely defended his inside pitch to turn in second place and he did in fact close ground on the winner from halfway as he continues to grow within the event. As for Davy, he actually took a step inward in the early strides which didn't help but when Lemon Ronald ran off the corner to deliver a bump, he was left in a desperate position to halfway with that strong stayer in front of him.
It could have been worse I suppose and overall we have got ten through from a possible 12. That sounds right good in anyone's language!
___________________________________
Second Round
Saturday June 1
10 Irish tonight and we got six through to the next round in what was another turbulent session of highs and lows.
We're Okay so far having guided 14 of 23 second round runners through to the last 48. Not quite up to our 66% survival rate of last week but it's far from a disaster.We won four of the eight heats tonight and having contested only seven, that's highly acceptable.
Highlights tonight were Priceless Blake and Worseforwear who confirmed promising Round 1 efforts with emphatic displays to resoundingly enter serious Derby contention while the victories of Skywalker Logan and Jaytee Taylor were absolutely thrilling while confirming that they are going to be extremely difficult to eliminate.
The deeper we go, the lower the lows are going to be but none will be as depressing as that for connections of Wolfe when distracted and slamming on the brakes at the third bend in Heat 12.
It was a Derby session that had pretty much everything but we are left with a team of 14 talented Irish stars. Come on Ireland!!!
Heat 9
1 Ballymac Anton (Liam Dowling x2)
2 Dower Rory
3 Droopys Expert
4 Uncle Wexford (Mark Robinson)
5 Windmill Rover (m)
6 Martinstown Hope (w)
3-2-1 29.42
3-2-1 29.42
It could have been worse! We got Anton through and boy he had to work for it. Moderately away, he was forced to check in the early strides as the eventual second moved inwards and he was in no-mans-land approaching the turn.
His one saving grace was that he was on the inside and he got some sort of run to the back-straight and although victory claims were gone, he ran very well from halfway to run down the six dog for third place.
Everything went fairly smoothly for the winner and Expert was rewarded for last week's battling performance with a cleaner passage and a dominant success, even if the second closed powerfully in behind.
Uncle Wexford, well, it was disappointing to see him make little impact on the run to the bend despite breaking Ok and his Derby was over when belted at the first turn. It could have been better from an Irish point of view but open to improve as much as any in the event, Liam Dowling will be happy with qualification. It's getting tougher and tougher here!!
Heat 10
1 Bockos Rory
2 Skywalker Logan (Pat Guilfoyle)
3 Droopys State
4 Cooneen Jack
5 Headford Maurice (m)
6 Conors Blake (m)
2-4-5 29.97
Oi Oi! We know not to panic when Logan is led and this victory was much like his performance in the Cesarewitch final. It will come as little surprise to us on these shores to see him being ponderous at a bend and it was actually more obvious at the bottom bends this time. He had of course been tapped for a bit of early toe here after quite a decent start but tucking in towards the rail when it became available, he got a lovely run to sit second at the top of the back-straight.
He closed up on Cooneen Jack's tail at the third bend but was wondering which way to go until eventually deciding on the inside off the final turn and he quickly settled the verdict when drawing out a length advantage at the line. Well back on the clock but we'll be bothered none about that. We're off the mark with Logan reaffirming that he can do it both ways. Come On Ireland!!
2-4-5 29.97
Oi Oi! We know not to panic when Logan is led and this victory was much like his performance in the Cesarewitch final. It will come as little surprise to us on these shores to see him being ponderous at a bend and it was actually more obvious at the bottom bends this time. He had of course been tapped for a bit of early toe here after quite a decent start but tucking in towards the rail when it became available, he got a lovely run to sit second at the top of the back-straight.
He closed up on Cooneen Jack's tail at the third bend but was wondering which way to go until eventually deciding on the inside off the final turn and he quickly settled the verdict when drawing out a length advantage at the line. Well back on the clock but we'll be bothered none about that. We're off the mark with Logan reaffirming that he can do it both ways. Come On Ireland!!
Heat 11
1 Swan Style
2 Seaglass Phantom
3 Macaroon Cruz (Graham Holland)
4 Priceless Blake (Paul Hennessy)
5 Payyaway Kane (m)
6 Antigua Romeo (m)
4-2-6 29.52
This will do! Two on the bounce for Ireland and Blake backed-up last weeks brave display with a hugely deserved victory. Running a good line to the bend, he bravely held strong when drifting into the corner while brushing against the eventual second and driving on to a decisive lead.
From there it remained hugely impressive throughout and the clock confirms that Blake is a real contender! Unfortunate to lose Macaroon Cruz here, a runner I thought could hang around for a while but he was tapped for a touch of early and in trouble while fourth on the back-straight, his second half strength fell just short. We'll take the hit given how impressive the winner was. Come On Ireland!!
4-2-6 29.52
This will do! Two on the bounce for Ireland and Blake backed-up last weeks brave display with a hugely deserved victory. Running a good line to the bend, he bravely held strong when drifting into the corner while brushing against the eventual second and driving on to a decisive lead.
From there it remained hugely impressive throughout and the clock confirms that Blake is a real contender! Unfortunate to lose Macaroon Cruz here, a runner I thought could hang around for a while but he was tapped for a touch of early and in trouble while fourth on the back-straight, his second half strength fell just short. We'll take the hit given how impressive the winner was. Come On Ireland!!
Heat 12
1 Master Reed
2 Wolfe (Graham Holland)
3 Roxholme Jim
4 Wildfire Jimmy
5 Born To Achieve (m)
6 King Diamond (m)
3-1-4 29.67
Oh Holy f***! Just when you think we're on a roll it comes to a crashing halt. Wolfe rode a bump out of traps, flew to the corner but didn't handle it and let the winner up his inside. A length second at the top of the back-straight, he lost more ground when almost running into the back of Jim. However, he was primed to qualify so no great worries until he slammed on the breaks at the third bend. Don't know why and we'll wait to hear from team Holland if there is indeed an explanation. Suffice to say, this was a sickener!!
Fair play to the winner, he was offered a chance to win and grabbed it with all four paws. His fellow qualifiers battled bravely as both suffered crowding in behind.
Heat 13
1 Lenson Whelan
2 Ballymac Osby
3 King Idol
4 Dorotas Wildcat
5 Forest Alan (m)
6 Antigua Sands (m)
4-6-2 29.43
No Irish but a big player laying down a market after his conqueror from the week before went out in the previous heat. It was only a moderate break but he got to the front with slick early dash and leaving trouble behind, he powered clear for a decisive success.
The tri-cast was that order at halfway and little changed thereafter. Pretty much all about the winner, big big player for the home team.
4-6-2 29.43
No Irish but a big player laying down a market after his conqueror from the week before went out in the previous heat. It was only a moderate break but he got to the front with slick early dash and leaving trouble behind, he powered clear for a decisive success.
The tri-cast was that order at halfway and little changed thereafter. Pretty much all about the winner, big big player for the home team.
Heat 14
1 Honour Turbo
2 Kilara Tain Bo
3 Raise The Stakes
4 Ballymac Tas (Liam Dowling)
5 Droopys Trapper (m)
6 Onedin Paradise (m) Non Runner.
5-4-3 29.59
Apart from backing Tas in the heat, this will do nicely as there wasn't much went her way here and I would suggest that a dodgy inside seeding for the two dog cost her a serious winning chance as that runner just came wider and wider on the run-up. She had plenty of traffic to contend with on the run-up and did well to be in a battle for second at the top of the back-straight.
She safely secured that second spot at the closing bends and ensured safe passage thereafter. Fair play to the early paced winner who could only go and win when offered a glaring opportunity and he did it well. In 29.59, he is a player as he will have claims to lead in many heats going forward.
A good outing for team Ireland but I'm just bursting for Tas to get a decent draw and wise-up the UK crew as to her true and astounding abilities.
5-4-3 29.59
Apart from backing Tas in the heat, this will do nicely as there wasn't much went her way here and I would suggest that a dodgy inside seeding for the two dog cost her a serious winning chance as that runner just came wider and wider on the run-up. She had plenty of traffic to contend with on the run-up and did well to be in a battle for second at the top of the back-straight.
She safely secured that second spot at the closing bends and ensured safe passage thereafter. Fair play to the early paced winner who could only go and win when offered a glaring opportunity and he did it well. In 29.59, he is a player as he will have claims to lead in many heats going forward.
A good outing for team Ireland but I'm just bursting for Tas to get a decent draw and wise-up the UK crew as to her true and astounding abilities.
Heat 15
1 King Turbo
2 Sporting Dave
3 Plaza Lep
4 Knockduff Declan (m)
5 Holdem Zidane (m)
6 Jaytee Taylor (w) (Paul Hennessy)
6-3-4 29.84
Oi Oi! Back on the winning trail and it came in thrilling fashion. Highly impressive from the third bend to home, the win was not without it's concerns however. We didn't expect him to lead in this heat or anything like it but he was plumb last approaching the turn after a poor break and a very tight battle amongst early pacers saw some runners out with the washing as Taylor nipped into third.
He did seem to be drifting wide down the back but he was relegated to fourth by Sporting Dave passing halfway and I would certainly not have expected to see him outpaced at that point. The early paced leaders were dying out front and Sporting Dave was desperately unlucky when finding the door shut. Plaza and Knockduff benefited from that but they we forced to give best when Taylor powered to the line around the outside.
The time is a touch concerning here too and while he is going to be very difficult to eliminate, he is going to have to sharpen up sooner rather than later. Like I say, the excitement is just tempered by seeing him done for foot by Sporting Dave down the back. Still, we'll take it all day long! Come On Ireland!!
Heat 16
1 Swift Jim
2 Badminton Jet (Peter Cronin)
3 Roxholme Glory
4 Worseforwear (m) (Peter Cronin)
5 Droopys Nadal (m)
6 Droopys Nirvana (w)
4-3-1 29.56
Oi Oi! A night of mixed fortunes ends in brilliant style for a cracking young star in our Derby team. Level away, he battled his way to the front like a bully before pulling out a length on the runner-up upon turning.
Not repelling that same Trap 3 runner ultimately put paid to Jet's chances as he suffered big style at the first bend while his companion led to the back-straight. Fair play to Roxholme, he briefly threatened Worseforwear at the third bend but he shut the door on that challenge and powered to the line thereafter. Mixed fortune for Peter Cronin but he has a proper contender here who is as open to improve as any in the event. Great end to the session! Come On Ireland!!
_________________________________
Oooh the ups and downs of a Derby. Our team had them all tonight and while he had some major disappointments, we also had some very heartening results.
The big highlights do go to the home team tonight however with Magical Bale at his brilliant best while reversing Irish Derby final form with Ballyanne Sim and you just have to love Queen Beyonce!
Clonbrien Prince was the chief highlight for our challenge in a fast 29.42 but Braveheart Bobby also improved to remain unbeaten in the event while Lemon Shane again displayed a love for Trap 1 and looked a real contender in 29.56.
On the other side of the coin, our losses were significant. From 13 runners tonight we lost five, and, five right ones! Ribchester, Blue East, Totos Park, Lenson Blinder and the desperately unlucky Boylesports Xtra.
So eight through with five out is not too bad a survival rate, or at least it wouldn't be without so much talent among that five. We won three of the eight heats and with a runner in each one, it further emphasises to the likes of myself who believe we can bring it home, this Derby will be hard won for any of our team.
Come On Ireland!!
Friday May 31
Heat 1
1 Droopys Verve
2 VACANT (Jacks
Tornado withdrawn)
3 Liberty Hawk
4 King Dylan
5 Ribchester (m) (Brendan Matthews)
6 Itsur Mate (w)
3-4-1 29.67
A disappointing start for the Irish challenge and despite stepping out quite Ok, Ribchester was brushing with Itsur Mate in the initial stages and with King Dylan leading him to the bend, along with fast starting leader Liberty Hawk, it was always going to be a huge ask to qualify given that Verve was recovering from a poor start in behind.
The winner was a bit of a shock but it was very straightforward, out and gone. A very decent performance and if repeated would make him competitive in any heat. King Dylan had every chance in second but was again very solid, however, Verve was making ground on both from halfway. Verve won't get away with a start like this again though and whereas last week was a brilliant battling effort, this week he was very lucky with this being a five runner heat.
Damn It!
Heat 2
1 Paganini Show (Pat Buckley x3)
2 Savana Volt
3 Emers Cookie
4 Clonbrien Prince (Graham Holland x7)
5 Arthur Noodle (m) NR
6 Newinn Banger (w)
4-1-3 29.42
Oi Oi! We're off the mark and with a forecast no less. No denying that having a non-runner helped our cause but this was class from Clonbrien Prince. He broke on terms and although he did take a step towards the rails, so did those inside him and he got a lovely run, which he took full advantage of.
Leading at the first bend, he did what we would expect thereafter and impressed while drawing clear on the back-straight. The two dog did move markedly towards the rail out of traps and himself and Paganini Show were doing some heaving bumping in the early stages. The rails pitch helped to stay in contention for second and he gamely battled to secure the Irish forecast thereafter.
More of this please! Come on Ireland!!
4-1-3 29.42
Oi Oi! We're off the mark and with a forecast no less. No denying that having a non-runner helped our cause but this was class from Clonbrien Prince. He broke on terms and although he did take a step towards the rails, so did those inside him and he got a lovely run, which he took full advantage of.
Leading at the first bend, he did what we would expect thereafter and impressed while drawing clear on the back-straight. The two dog did move markedly towards the rail out of traps and himself and Paganini Show were doing some heaving bumping in the early stages. The rails pitch helped to stay in contention for second and he gamely battled to secure the Irish forecast thereafter.
More of this please! Come on Ireland!!
Heat 3
1 Desperado Dan
2 Nice Charmer (Graham Holland)
3 Busters Bullet
4 Blue East (Graham Holland)
5 Kingsbrook Glyn (m)
6 Lemon Express (w) (Peter Cronin x3)
1-6-2 29.76
Ooh a tough heat and even though we didn't get the winner, we have to be happy with getting two of three through. It was Blue East who lost out and having looked like it might be a dream run soon after breaking, it quickly became a very unlucky passage.
He just couldn't get across in front and probably brushed his companion on the way across to the rail before he met the early paced winner on the approach. He left a gap on the rails upon turning and that was taken by Nice Charmer and these were not helping each other as Charmer made his way into second on the back-straight.
Lemon Express was again not too well away on the outer but bump free, he really impressed along the back-straight to pass Charmer for second at the closing bends. Fair play to the winner, our boys couldn't reel him in. He didn't set the world alight on the clock though and our qualifying duo will have to improve but in fairness to Charmer, he had plenty of bumping and Express has yet to find his trapping boots.
Heat 4
1 Ballyanne Sim (Mark Robinson x2)
2 Bockos Tiger
3 Front Edge
4 Magical Bale
5 Totos Park (m) (Graham Holland)
6 Hero To Zero (w)
4-1-3 29.30
An object lesson in the art of qualifying and given that Magical Bale got everything right here, we should probably be happy enough to even get one through. Although Sim wasn't all that well away, his early pace ultimately secured a safe passage, even if it didn't match the winner this time. He chased around well enough to satisfy supporters and he can't lead next week unless he qualifies this week, so, job done!
Big well done to the ex-pat winner, he was class here and maybe Nottingham will suit him after all, I wasn't fully convinced before this! A great clock and no surprise from one of the best in training. We lost Toto and in truth, he didn't look to be on top of his game because in a tussle for third at the closing bends, he dropped out on the run to the line which is unlike him.
The double Derby dream is still alive! Come On Ireland!!
4-1-3 29.30
An object lesson in the art of qualifying and given that Magical Bale got everything right here, we should probably be happy enough to even get one through. Although Sim wasn't all that well away, his early pace ultimately secured a safe passage, even if it didn't match the winner this time. He chased around well enough to satisfy supporters and he can't lead next week unless he qualifies this week, so, job done!
Big well done to the ex-pat winner, he was class here and maybe Nottingham will suit him after all, I wasn't fully convinced before this! A great clock and no surprise from one of the best in training. We lost Toto and in truth, he didn't look to be on top of his game because in a tussle for third at the closing bends, he dropped out on the run to the line which is unlike him.
The double Derby dream is still alive! Come On Ireland!!
Heat 5
1 Lemon Shane (Gerry Holian)
2 Slaheny Star
3 Addis Abebba
4 Lenson Blinder (Graham Holland)
5 Lemon Ronald (m)
6 Leemount Venus (w)
1-2-5 29.56
Oi Oi!! What a pleasing performance by Shane and could he possibly be finding a streak of consistency which has been the one thing lacking in this powerhouse's career. No debates about seeding after this, he was gun barrel straight to the corner and needed to be while defending his position against three runners to his outer.
Being on the outside of that battle did not help Blinder when shuffled back but he did not really spark as you would have expected on the back-straight. Up front, Shane led off the second bend and piled on the pressure throughout. A good clock and remains high up the Irish challenge. Come On Ireland!!
1-2-5 29.56
Oi Oi!! What a pleasing performance by Shane and could he possibly be finding a streak of consistency which has been the one thing lacking in this powerhouse's career. No debates about seeding after this, he was gun barrel straight to the corner and needed to be while defending his position against three runners to his outer.
Being on the outside of that battle did not help Blinder when shuffled back but he did not really spark as you would have expected on the back-straight. Up front, Shane led off the second bend and piled on the pressure throughout. A good clock and remains high up the Irish challenge. Come On Ireland!!
Heat 6
1 Bockos Doomie
2 Braveheart Bobby (Pat Buckley)
3 Ballymac Miscula
4 Pink Osteria
5 Stoneparkwarrior (m)
6 Dorotas Woo Hoo (w)
2-1-6 29.57
Yes Yes! That'll do. Bobby was out and gone again. Probably just as well that he broke so swiftly because he was moving to the right again but he resoundingly outpaced his rivals on the run to the bend. He streaked clear thereafter and appeared to be staying better up the home-straight than he was last week.
He kept a very talented Uk runner at bay here and team Buckley must be delighted. They're going to have a job on to stop him leading and Bobby can make his own luck going forward after that very decent clock. Come On Ireland!!
2-1-6 29.57
Yes Yes! That'll do. Bobby was out and gone again. Probably just as well that he broke so swiftly because he was moving to the right again but he resoundingly outpaced his rivals on the run to the bend. He streaked clear thereafter and appeared to be staying better up the home-straight than he was last week.
He kept a very talented Uk runner at bay here and team Buckley must be delighted. They're going to have a job on to stop him leading and Bobby can make his own luck going forward after that very decent clock. Come On Ireland!!
Heat 7
1 Boylesports Boom
2 Queen Beyonce
3 Bull Run Button
4 Bayview Gerry
5 Droopys Gold (m)
2-3-6 29.54
Phew, we got away with that! Davy seemed to react well enough at trap rise but he was not quick to stride and he looked in bother on the approach to the bend.
The big story of the heat however is the winner and what a bitch Rab has on his hands. She didn't trap too well here either but she rocketed to the bend and bossed the heat once turning in front. Not as fast as she was last week but was equally as impressive and she is a real Derby player. Big respect.
When Davy was in arrears along the back-straight, we could have been forgiven for thinking he was going out because the runners in front were quite strong types. Fair play, he got himself out of trouble when staying well on the home-straight. The school report will say "could do better", but, he's in the next round and retains the capability of big runs.
Heat 8
1 Volcanic Reef
2 Boylesports Xtra (Paul Hennessy x3)
3 Roxholme Butt
4 Pond Adonis
5 Jelly Flood (m)
6 King Sheeran (w)
6-1-5 29.71
Damn it! I could say it much more vulgar than that and this was a sickener to end the night. It all looked good as Xtra came away well and was contesting the lead with the eventual second to his inside. There was bumping and in fairness to Xtra, he was running straight but a jostle or two saw Volcanic Reef defend the inside and I couldn't rightly see why, maybe his was clipped from behind, but Xtra's race was taken away from him when he completely lost his legs at the turn and he was out with the washing when gratefully completing the journey.
The winner picked-up Volcanic Reef at the third turn before narrowly repelling his late rally. Decent efforts from the front two but a rotten end for a talented Irish challenger! :(
________________________________________
A total of 23 runners from Ireland contested the second round of the Derby with the unfortunate withdrawal of Peter Cronin's Jacks Tornado who picked up an injury in his first round victory.
14 of our team will seek repeat victories but at least four of those are assured to lose their unbeaten tag given the draw as some face will face off against each other.
We will have a presence in all but one second round heat as Heat 13 on Saturday is the only all UK contest.
The betting at present is very tight with a UK winner firm at 5/6. An Irish winner is priced identically for the most part but with 10/11 available. Come on Ireland!!
__________________________________________________________
Saturday May 25
So we had 22 Irish runners contesting the Saturday heats of the Derby at Nottingham and it was another brilliant night for the raiding party when guiding 14 through to the second round draw.
We again had seven winners to match the Friday haul and as near as makes no difference, maintained our 66% survival rate. The figures are very very good and when considered that over both nights we had the bulk of the fastest winners, I would suggest that we are well ahead at this early stage.
The highlight on Saturday was an easy pick with the Ferrari like power of Skywalker Logan jetting him to a new track record in an astounding performance, posting 29.05! The Guilfoyle superstar simply lit up Nottingham. Oi Oi!
Next best for us on the clock was Lenson Blinder in the last and his 29.46 at that late hour was top class amidst a night of mixed fortune for team Holland. Peter Cronin had a very pleasing night with wins for Jacks Tornado and Lenson Express while Badminton Jet ran a cracker for second in a fast heat.
Also registering a double, which might not dominate the headlines given the exploits of Logan, was Paul Hennessy and while Boylesports Xtra was highly impressive, Jaytee Taylor looked every inch the Derby contender when scoring a strong running victory in heat 22 and must stay very high on our list going forward. Priceless Blake also ran very gutsy in defeat in Heat 18.
Last but by no means least, one of the most enjoyable performances of the entire round had to be Ballyanne Sim when landing Heat 29. Heartening to see our Derby champ in such good form, he led home a Mark Robinson forecast when chased to the line by Uncle Wexford. Magic stuff!
Over the two nights we got 24 of 37 through to the second round. That is very satisfactory indeed while claiming 14 of 32 heats. Well done team Ireland!!!
Heat 17
1 Wildfire Legend
2 Droopys Verve
3 Ballymac Miscula
4 Desperado Dan
5 Slippy Cian (m) Graham Holland
6 King Lennon (m)
4-3-2 / 29.65
A disappointing start for the Irish and a big big fancy gone for team Holland. Cian didn't break well enough and was the meat in a canine sandwich at the corner. With the more fancied runners also battling for the third qualifying place it made it very difficult for him to deliver a telling late surge even though he did close....not ideal that it was Verve he was trying to run down.
The result overall was a bit of a shock with King Lennon also gone but you can take nothing from the winner in a very decent time relative to last night, at least until we see how the rest of them clock, he did get it all his own way tonight though.
Heat 18
1 Priceless Blake Paul Hennessy (x4)
2 Killieford Banjo
3 Front Edge
4 Ballydoyle Misty
5 Oi Oi Upenalty (m)
6 Kingsbrook Glyn (m)
3-1-6 / 29.77
Not a win but we'll take this. Kevin Hennessy on the box explaining how little racing he had coming into the event and this outing will surely bring Priceless Blake on a mile. He came away well enough but fair play to the winner he had the pace to lead him up and when sweeping across Blake upon turning, he poached his crucial lead as Blake ran off as a consequence, ceding a couple more lengths. He looks highly likely to relish the venue however as he reduced his deficit all the way to the line when beaten less than a length in 29.77.
The winner will hold claims to lead in more heats going forward but even with bias aide, Blake is the one to take from the heat. Almost worthy of an oi oi..........!
Heat 19
1 Liberty Hawk
2 Shaneboy Pascal
3 Move Over Padre
4 Roxholme Butt
5 Loher Honey (m)
6 Arthur Noodle (m)
1-6-4 / 29.73
No Irish but a bit of a touch landed with the winner well backed all day and despite only a moderate start he landed the odds when battling well on the run to the bend before bullishly hitting the front. He has a flying split in a trial so this fellow merits respect going forward. Queries about the seed for the second are probably right and the third will have to keep closer order as he meets better opposition but does stay strongly.
For now at least, the track seems to be running pretty much the same as last night.
Heat 20
1 Deanridge Ashton
2 Antigua Vows
3 Badminton Jet Peter Cronin
4 Droopys Nadal (m)
5 Forest Alan (m)
6 Maries Darkie (w)
4-3-5 / 29.32
We're still waiting on a winner but again, we'll take this very pleasing placed effort from Jet. The winner absolutely bolted from traps and the Cronin charge did some serious moving to be on his tail off the second bend. He did briefly threaten to go up the winner's inside approaching the third but leveled out thereafter and in fairness, he had plenty of running done and just look at the clock!
The fastest of the Derby so far and if Peter was bothered about getting beat, which I doubt, he would have been well buoyed when hearing that time. So congrats to the winner who confirms himself a big player on this evidence and having been approx three lengths behind him early, so is Jet. A word for the third, he stayed better than the mother-in-law to qualify and could continue to pick up places going forward.
Heat 21
1 Seaglass Phantom
2 Ballymac Anton Liam Dowling
3 Queen Beyonce
4 Kilmessan Puma (m)
5 Getting Up (m) Gary Loughnane (x1)
6 Trade Fudge (w)
3-1-2 / 29.27
Mixed fortune and firstly we must admire the winner who many consider the best bitch in the UK. She trapped well enough and flew to the corner to dominate throughout in the fastest time so far.
Anton was sluggish enough away and with a big early pacer to his inner, that was not ideal. He had plenty of bodies around him and in front when turning but skipped around to the back-straight in third and showed enough thereafter to be encouraged if indeed he does progress and come away better.
Getting Up simply didn't come away well enough and behind Anton to the bend, he was in no man's land with a wall in front of him.
The track is warming up so hopefully we can get one of ours loose from the boxes and be first to lower the record??!!
Heat 22
1 Swift Jim
2 Ballymas Tas Liam Dowling
3 Sidaz Jet
4 Ballymac Memory
5 Quantum Leap (m)
6 Jaytee Taylor (w) Paul Hennessy
6-1-2 / 29.75
Oi Oi!! We're in the winner's enclosure eventually and the heat turned out very well having looked like a nightmare on the run to the bend. We'll start with the winner and a big fancy for us, Taylor paced up well to the bend before things got tight and although almost upsides, he was shuffled to third at the top of the back-straight. At that point, we Irish were confident in what he could produce to the line and he duly obliged when powering to the front at the closing bends for an impressive win. Team Hennessy will be over the moon with this display which oozed class.
Tas, how the hell she qualified is almost beyond comprehension. She was away well enough but the four dog was pushing the three who ended up leaning on Tas and refusing to be bullied, she jostled back on the run to the corner. All this had her in a horror spot at the bend and she was out with the washing off the second. She did however show her class when closing to the third bend but when it looked good to sneak a place, she got cut off again. She has to take big praise from the heat for the way she battled up the straight to somehow claim a place and hopefully we'll be looking back at this in a month's time thinking how a prospective winner got out of a horrible situation. Come On Ireland!!
Heat 23
1Ballymac Reds
2 Skywalker Logan Patrick Guilfoyle (x1)
3 King Idol
4 Holdem Zidane (m)
5 Romeo Rumble (m) Graham Holland
6 Swift Sabbath (w)
2-4-3 / 29.05 Track Record
Oi Oi Oi Oi!!!!! Get in there Logan! We're getting on a roll and this was as good we could have hoped for from the enigmatic Guilfoyle star who just BUSTED the clock!
The new Nottingham record holder was well away by his standards and defended the inside against the early paced Holdem Zidane. Tit-for-Tat off the second bend with Logan on the inner, the job was Oxo and Logan was racing against the clock. Fair play to the runner-up, he ran a cracker in defeat but we're all about one dog here, especially after Romeo came away too slowly, and if Logan finds a streak of consistency then this Derby is well within his capabilities. Come On Ireland!!
Some trolls have said many things about this fellow and let them off.....class, class, class!
Heat 24
1 Ballydoyle Frank
2 Lenson Whelan
3 Rockmount Ozzy
4 Pond Ricardo (m)
5 Stonepark Warrior (m)
6 Droopys Nirvana (w)
2-6-5 / 29.78
No Irish but a warm favourite worked hard to get to the front on the run to the bend and the ex-Buckley runner ran a styler once securing control of the rails. The clock confirms just how good the new record is as the winner here was very smart around Shelbourne. The second stayed on well but none of three qualifiers will shake up the market too much.
Heat 25
1 Pink Osteria
2 King Turbo
3 Comeonyoubees
4 Jelly Flood (m)
5 Bramble Milburn (m)
6 Formidable (w)
2-4-1 / 29.76
A good buckle to the closing bends amongst an all UK line-up and the winner had it put to him early by the early paced runner to his inner. It was a daring move at the third bend which saw him claim the lead on the inside and he skipped readily clear to the line. The dodge looked genuine enough to me??!! Given the time, the winner is probably the only one to concentrate on.
Heat 26
1 Magical Bale
2 Master Reed
3 Slaneyside Sylvy
4 King Dylan (m)
5 Geelo Blissful (m)
6 Burgess Doc (w) Pat Buckley
4-1-2 / 29.87
A messy affair and Doc was just too slow away before being checked upon turning. Still in with a shout of qualifying off the bottom bend, the five dog swinging wide into the straight did him no favours. Unlucky enough.
The story of the race is the winner however. A strong runner who was prominent behind the leaders before disputing the lead to the second bend, he got clipped before passed by Magical Bale, who had himself been cut off at the first turn. The manner in which he reeled-in and passed that favourite thereafter however was impressive while confirming a suspicion of mine that this circuit may be on the testing side for the Irish Derby runner-up.
Heat 27
1 Pond Adonis
2 Jacks Tornado Peter Cronin
3 Braveheart Bobby Pat Buckley
4 Clonbrien Swift (m) Graham Holland
5 Innocent Times (m)
6 King Cash (w)
2-3-1 / 29.69
Oooooh, never write off Cronin in the English Derby, whatever the price they are! This looked in the bag for team Buckley as Bobby appeared to have the hard work done when leading up and well in command to halfway. At that stage the Irish were looking likely to fill all three places as Jacks Tornado chased the leader while Clonbrien Swift was battling for third at the closing bends.
Bobby began to paddle on the run to the line and got mugged by Jack and apart form anyone who had Bobby backed, that was fine for us but the dream scenario was ruined by the gutsy Pond Adonis who held off Swift in a photo for third. Encouraging for our qualifiers even if more will be needed going forward. Another winner for Ireland...Oi Oi!!
2-3-1 / 29.69
Oooooh, never write off Cronin in the English Derby, whatever the price they are! This looked in the bag for team Buckley as Bobby appeared to have the hard work done when leading up and well in command to halfway. At that stage the Irish were looking likely to fill all three places as Jacks Tornado chased the leader while Clonbrien Swift was battling for third at the closing bends.
Bobby began to paddle on the run to the line and got mugged by Jack and apart form anyone who had Bobby backed, that was fine for us but the dream scenario was ruined by the gutsy Pond Adonis who held off Swift in a photo for third. Encouraging for our qualifiers even if more will be needed going forward. Another winner for Ireland...Oi Oi!!
Heat 28
1 Bubbly Cougar
2 Craigland Jack
3 Affane Buck
4 Payyaway Kane (m)
5 Roxholme Jim (m)
6 Dorotas Woo Hoo (w)
5-6-4 / 29.97
All UK here and a very impressive battling display from a well backed favourite who had company at almost every point of the track. Led to the bend, he had to work for a run on the outer and ended up delivering his challenge between runners at the third bend. Supporters would have been sweating but he forged to the front in game fashion with plenty of room for improvement from this. Slowest of the night so far and although the second stayed well, it was all about the winner.
5-6-4 / 29.97
All UK here and a very impressive battling display from a well backed favourite who had company at almost every point of the track. Led to the bend, he had to work for a run on the outer and ended up delivering his challenge between runners at the third bend. Supporters would have been sweating but he forged to the front in game fashion with plenty of room for improvement from this. Slowest of the night so far and although the second stayed well, it was all about the winner.
Heat 29
1 Doona Buck Gerry Holian
2 Ballyanne Sim Mark Robinson (x2)
3 Uncle Wexford Mark Robinson
4 Cushie Jet (m) John Codd (x1)
5 Lightfoot King (m)
6 Martinstown Hope (w)
2-3-6 / 29.82
Oi Oi Oi!!! What a super performance from the champion of Ireland as Sim bounces right back to his best on the big stage. The really pleasing thing is that he had to work hard for it and held strong in the early strides as Doona Buck moved right to strike him.
He was followed by his companion Uncle Wexford who paced up well off a decent break but we would not fill all three places because Jet got no run after a poor start when having been led, Doona Buck came right off at the bend and belted him.
Sim really impressed with his gallop out front and we should know at this stage not to worry too much about what he is clocking until later in the event. If he keeps showing the early dash, he could possibly mirror his Shelbourne Derby campaign. So, so pleasing to see him win here and big congrats to team Robinson who go home deservedly smug after a perfect result from a nightmare draw. Come On Ireland!!
2-3-6 / 29.82
Oi Oi Oi!!! What a super performance from the champion of Ireland as Sim bounces right back to his best on the big stage. The really pleasing thing is that he had to work hard for it and held strong in the early strides as Doona Buck moved right to strike him.
He was followed by his companion Uncle Wexford who paced up well off a decent break but we would not fill all three places because Jet got no run after a poor start when having been led, Doona Buck came right off at the bend and belted him.
Sim really impressed with his gallop out front and we should know at this stage not to worry too much about what he is clocking until later in the event. If he keeps showing the early dash, he could possibly mirror his Shelbourne Derby campaign. So, so pleasing to see him win here and big congrats to team Robinson who go home deservedly smug after a perfect result from a nightmare draw. Come On Ireland!!
Heat 30
1 Colston Pearl
2 Nidderdale Lark
3 Boylesports Boom
4 Deanridge Kane (m)
5 King Diamond (m)
6 Lemon Express (w) Peter Cronin
6-3-5 / 29.90
That deserves an Oi Oi! I repeat, respect Cronin in this event. Savage early pace from Lemon Express who was really only moderately away but he dug out his one length lead before turning and booted clear. There is questions about his staying ability at the trip but he wasn't going back to them too quickly, visually at least. The clock says maybe he was struggling late on but could he strengthen up as he progresses? And, how many will contain him to halfway? A very interesting runner going forward and the only one to take from the heat i'd suggest. Come on Ireland!!!
Heat 31
1 Macaroon Cruz Graham Holland
2 Heathlawn River
3 Boylesports Xtra Paul Hennessy
4 Salacres Punch (m)
5 Droopys Gold (m)
6 Sparta Master (w)
3-1-5 / 29.62
Oi Oi!! The forecast and two brilliant performances. Team Hennessy will be going home very happy with the night's work and Xtra ran almost precisely to script. Slick early dash, outpaced those to his inner, secured the bend and skipped away.
Macaroon Cruz ran a cracker here too and he is one of ours who will love the track. Third on the inner at the crown, he powered along the back and was closing on the run to the line. He is going to be hard to keep out of the places, especially if securing draws on the fence.
I'd suggest that this was a right good clock for the time of night with conditions cooling so you can only label this as highly impressive from both. Come On Ireland!!
3-1-5 / 29.62
Oi Oi!! The forecast and two brilliant performances. Team Hennessy will be going home very happy with the night's work and Xtra ran almost precisely to script. Slick early dash, outpaced those to his inner, secured the bend and skipped away.
Macaroon Cruz ran a cracker here too and he is one of ours who will love the track. Third on the inner at the crown, he powered along the back and was closing on the run to the line. He is going to be hard to keep out of the places, especially if securing draws on the fence.
I'd suggest that this was a right good clock for the time of night with conditions cooling so you can only label this as highly impressive from both. Come On Ireland!!
Heat 32
1 Bull Run Button
2 Panther Paul Hennessy
3 Lenson Blinder Graham Holland
4 Hometown Hero (m)
5 Fieldview Wonder (w)
6 Newinn Banger (w)
6 Newinn Banger (w)
3-1-6 / 29.46
A brilliant performance as Lenson runs a Blinder....Oi Oi!! He hadn't much early pace to contend with here and took full advantage of a chance to shine. As I said already, the track is surely slowing at this late hour so that clock is pure class. Essentially he was doing what we expected but he still had to go and do it and he did it brilliantly. He is going to relish Nottingham.
Poor Panther. This was quite lousy and an unsatisfactory end to the night for the Hennessy team. He wasn't prominent early but we expect that. He was however moving from halfway and looked certain to qualify until repeated bumping with Newinn Banger off the final turn when almost stumbling. The good and the bad to end the night but.......Come On Ireland!!
Friday May 24
So the ball is in and the game is on! Come On Ireland #UpOurSide
Fifteen Irish runners contested the first session of heats in the 2019 English Derby at Nottingham on Friday and having guided ten of those through to the second round, it has to be labelled a successful first exchange in the annual Anglo-Irish tussle.
Highlights of the night must go to Droopys Davy who was fastest in a battling Heat 9 win posting 29.46, Lemon Shane who was back to his brilliant best to take Heat 6 in 29.59 while the session ended in classy fashion as Wolfe went next best on the clock while repelling the defending champion in 29.54.
As suspected, many of our team displayed a liking for the circuit which requires much less adapting to than Towcester and overall the Irish look highly likely to bring it home after an encouraging start.
We had the three fastest winners, a pleasing show from Ribchester while in need of the race, Clonbrien Prince looking completely at home and a sneaky fancy of my own, Worseforwear, running very well in defeat. Throw in the victories of confirmed competition performer Nice Charmer and hugely promising Paganini Show, I'd suggest that we're well on top.
There was some low points of course with Burgess Bucks looking like he has again picked up an injury and Da Head Hunter, along with Akleware, being very unlucky in running. Similar comments can be made about our other brace of eliminated runners, Good Champ and Ballydoyle Valor, who got no room after poor starts.
Still, a 66 % survival rate and seven of the 16 winners is not shabby. We're far ahead on the averages, here's hoping we stay well ahead tomorrow! Come On Ireland!
Fifteen Irish runners contested the first session of heats in the 2019 English Derby at Nottingham on Friday and having guided ten of those through to the second round, it has to be labelled a successful first exchange in the annual Anglo-Irish tussle.
Highlights of the night must go to Droopys Davy who was fastest in a battling Heat 9 win posting 29.46, Lemon Shane who was back to his brilliant best to take Heat 6 in 29.59 while the session ended in classy fashion as Wolfe went next best on the clock while repelling the defending champion in 29.54.
As suspected, many of our team displayed a liking for the circuit which requires much less adapting to than Towcester and overall the Irish look highly likely to bring it home after an encouraging start.
We had the three fastest winners, a pleasing show from Ribchester while in need of the race, Clonbrien Prince looking completely at home and a sneaky fancy of my own, Worseforwear, running very well in defeat. Throw in the victories of confirmed competition performer Nice Charmer and hugely promising Paganini Show, I'd suggest that we're well on top.
There was some low points of course with Burgess Bucks looking like he has again picked up an injury and Da Head Hunter, along with Akleware, being very unlucky in running. Similar comments can be made about our other brace of eliminated runners, Good Champ and Ballydoyle Valor, who got no room after poor starts.
Still, a 66 % survival rate and seven of the 16 winners is not shabby. We're far ahead on the averages, here's hoping we stay well ahead tomorrow! Come On Ireland!
Heat 1
1 Sporting Dave
2 Sunray Minor
3 Savana Awesome
4 Pennys Luna
5 Antigua Sands (m)
6 Itsur Mate (w)
1-5-6 / 29.71
No Irish here and with the favourite battling well to win despite bumping at both the first and third bends, we would all probably have preferred to see him with a clear run so that we could get a solid benchmark on the clock. Still, a very decent performance from a top class UK performer and Dave has all the hallmarks of a dog that could continue to qualify round on round. The third confirmed his staying abilities late on but you'd have to say that the bitch, Antigua Sands, had every chance and even though keeping her lead to the third bend, was markedly outpaced by the winner down the back.
1-5-6 / 29.71
No Irish here and with the favourite battling well to win despite bumping at both the first and third bends, we would all probably have preferred to see him with a clear run so that we could get a solid benchmark on the clock. Still, a very decent performance from a top class UK performer and Dave has all the hallmarks of a dog that could continue to qualify round on round. The third confirmed his staying abilities late on but you'd have to say that the bitch, Antigua Sands, had every chance and even though keeping her lead to the third bend, was markedly outpaced by the winner down the back.
Heat 2
1 Kilara Tain Bo
2 Hitachi Hoban
3 Ela Juliet
4 Raise The Stakes
5 Ribchester (m) Brendan
Matthews (x1)
6 Salacres Vincent (w)
5-1-4 / 29.98
5-1-4 / 29.98
Great start for the Irish challenge and no better kennel to kick start our winning action. Damien Matthews suggested that he would need this first four bend race for nine months and while he will need to lower the clock, I'm sure all connected were delighted with the performance.
Not breaking well, he displayed slick early pace which suggested that he may match any to the corner, (waiting on the split) and despite ceding ground in the home-straight, will be open to as much improvement as any in the event. He really could be an Irish sleeper in the Derby. Oi Oi, come on Ireland. First runner, first winner!
The black n` amber breeding connections of the second will have been pleased with Kilara Tain Bo's effort and he can possibly find heats in which he can lead going forward while the third, a runner I did have a small investment in at long odds, is very strong and could continue to sneak places if securing crucial clear passage going forward.
Heat 3
1 Meet Me
2 Volcanic Reef
3 Saving Sonic
4 Plaza Lep
5 Droopys Trapper (m)
6 Droopys Biker (w)
5-4-2 / 29.60
No Irish here but a gutsy and very pleasing winner who rode an early bump at the opening bend before battling well down the back. All round pace and with the clock affected, this has to merit plenty of respect as he was solid all the way along the tough home-straight. He's probably the only one you'd take out of the heat but the second is an early paced runner who would definitely complicate draws going forward. Disappointing to see our old favourite Biker showing very little spark after a missed break.
Heat 4
1 Lostrigg Barney
2 Taydal Boy
3 Bayview Gerry
4 Slaheny Star
5 Totos Park (m) Graham
Holland (x11)
6 Killinan Fury (w)
4-5-3 / 29.89
A pleasing one for the Irish even if we didn't get the winner. Toto was only going down by half a length to a solid benchmark who got the complete run of the race. A touch shied out at the opening bend, he may even have been struggling to get fully balanced when ceding ground off the second turn, However, he showed his strength from halfway when reducing a three length deficit all the way to the line and this being a first look at the circuit, surely he can only improve. Two runners for the Irish and two through with a very pleasing start for the big Holland team!
Must hand it to the winner in fairness, did everything right and can clearly be a factor going forward in almost any heat. Still, we surely have the ammunition to contain him. Oi Oi!!
4-5-3 / 29.89
A pleasing one for the Irish even if we didn't get the winner. Toto was only going down by half a length to a solid benchmark who got the complete run of the race. A touch shied out at the opening bend, he may even have been struggling to get fully balanced when ceding ground off the second turn, However, he showed his strength from halfway when reducing a three length deficit all the way to the line and this being a first look at the circuit, surely he can only improve. Two runners for the Irish and two through with a very pleasing start for the big Holland team!
Must hand it to the winner in fairness, did everything right and can clearly be a factor going forward in almost any heat. Still, we surely have the ammunition to contain him. Oi Oi!!
Heat 5
1 Honour Turbo
2 Clonbrien Prince Graham
Holland
3 Colston Havana
4 Forest Mike
5 Sunset Ranger (m)
6 Headford Maurice (w)
2-1-6 / 29.70
Oooh yeah, this was a nice marker laid down by the Prince at a venue that should be, and is going to be, right up his alley. He had a smart early pacer to contend with to his inside and showed good dash to match him as things got tight upon turning. Refusing to cede any ground despite racing on the outside to the back-straight, he stamped his authority from halfway in a manner we would have expected. Hard to believe he drifted so markedly before the race and ended up a very attractive 4/5. Couldn't have asked much more of him and we have 3 through from 3 runners to this point! Come On Ireland, Oi Oi!
Not much to take out of the heat otherwise I'd imagine. The second is going to be an early paced complication going forward, especially if drawn on the rails.
Heat 6
1 Lemon Shane Gerry
Holian (x2)
2 Ballymac Osby
3 Colston Aero
4 Good Champ John
Kennedy Jnr (x1)
5 Blythe Basil
6 King Sheeran (w)
1-2-6 / 29.59
1-2-6 / 29.59
Oi Oi. Great to see Shane in this form and this was hugely pleasing given that he had the company of a top class opponent all the way to the closing bends. You could hear them in commentary discussing his drift away from the rails and in fairness they were right but when he needed to rail he did...ie. when turning.
He showed plenty of dash on the run-up and was always likely to appreciate the testing circuit which was confirmed in his powerful gallop to the line. It will be interesting to see if management have a say regarding the seeding because even though it may not be wholly suitable for everyone else, the red jacket could be a big aid in securing clear runs.
A word for the third, he would definitely have needed this run and was unlucky to run into Shane who was constantly denying him the lead he needed. He will merit big respect in any draw next time.
Heat 7
1 Paganini Show Pat
Buckley (6)
2 Seaglass Tiger
3 Man Twenty One
4 Farloe Falcon
5 Onedin Paradise (m)
6 Leemount Venus (w)
1-5-6 / 30.02
Oooh Yeah!! You really have to hand it to such a young dog and what could have been a straightforward win turned into an almighty battle, mainly because he had his backside belted and hind legs clipped on the run to the bend. A little unbalanced when reaching the bend, he could be forgiven for giving up command of the rails and if you had him backed, you would have been worried when third to the back-straight.
From that point however, he deserves every praise for battling brilliantly to strike the front off the closing bend and he was staying plenty well enough, especially given his passage throughout the race. It's going to be a tough place to develope his racing skills but there's no denying his pace. Oi Oi, Buckley off the mark! The margins were tight but if they ran again, our boy would surely be odds on. He is the one to take from the heat. Slowest so far but that is irrelevant in context.
Heat 8
1 Wildfire Jimmy
2 Bubbly Bonaza
3 Blue East Graham
Holland
4 Emers Cookie
5 Megatone (m)
6 Bojangles (m)
4-1-3 / 29.72
Phew! That could have been a disaster for Blue East but he got away with it. In fairness, none of it his own fault bar a poor-ish break. He's got good early dash and he showed it behind the fast trapping, early paced winner. I was quite happy with my punt on Blue East heading into the second bend but not only had he a tail waving in his face, he got clipped from behind and was in real danger of elimination while gathering himself to the closing bends.
It was a gutsy effort to fill third and he can't be judged off this defeat. Just thankfully he got away with what probably should have put him out.
The winner is one that many will want to avoid going forward, especially if early paced and in the time, this was rock solid so maybe she would have held off Blue East anyway?! Still, another one through for the raiding party.
Heat 9
1 Sharpys Junior
2 Ballydoyle Valor Graham
Holland
3 Bockos Rory
4 Nadurra Dutch
5 Antigua Romeo (m)
6 Droopys Davy (w) Pat
Buckley
6-5-3 / 29.46
Oi Oi Davy!! Clearly progressing from his trial, this was impressive and when matched for early pace, Davy did his usual, steering quite wide around the crown and second bend. Required to battle from halfway, the Buckley team couldn't have been happier with the way he came up the home-straight, asserting late on against more Kilkenny breeding. This was a gutsy show and if he keeps breaking as adeptly as tonight, we all know that he can be real contender.
Have to give big kudos to the second when considering that he led for so long in the fastest heat of the round so far. As for Valor, it was just the slow start, which was a worry, brought too much trouble in the early stages and he could never get free to deliver a proper late charge.
Heat 10
1 Adis Abebba
2 Salacres Barley
3 Distant Rain
4 Newinn Missile
5 Windmill Rover (m)
6 Hero To Zero (w)
1-6-5 / 29.71
1-6-5 / 29.71
No Irish here but the first two home haven't left us very long. A bit of trouble in the middle traps helped the ex-Liam Dowling winner to get clear on the run up and he was a comfortable scorer thereafter. Solid on the clock, he is the one to take from the heat as although powering from halfway, Hero To Zero who has just recently switched from Pat Curtin's, is going to have to produce more on the run to the bend to extend his presence.
Heat 11
1 Pinpoint Rocco
2 Dower Rory
3 Cooneen Jack
4 Busters Bullet
5 Burgess Bucks (m) Pat
Buckley
6 Sharpys Rocket (m)
3-4-2 / 29.70
Arrrggh, a big hit to the challenge here and it all looked Ok out of the boxes. The Buckley team will have known all about the winner (Scottish Derby runner-up) who broke well and fair play, he dominated in impressive fashion. Bucks did himself no favour by leaning inwards on the run-up when just a half down on the approach to the corner and was the cause of his first bump which shuffled him back but before reaching halfway, it was obvious that something was amiss as he dropped out tamely when clearly not striding out properly. #damnit
Heat 12
1 Savana Volt
2 Da Head Hunter Peter
Cronin (x6)
3 Piemans Star
4 Roxholme Glory
5 Worseforwear (m) Peter
Cronin
6 Wichita (m)
4-5-1 29.62
I think we have the three dog to blame for costing Peter Cronin a runner here. The winner was out and gone and fair play, an impressive showing but having been led by him, both Worseforwear and Da Head Hunter were battling well on the run to the bend with the latter constantly taking bumps from Piemans Star who was desperately seeking the rails. When he did get across in second, he found the winner in his eye-line and switched markedly wide which carried a rallying Da Head Hunter into his kennel companion.
You have to hand it to Worseforwear at this point for keeping his legs going forward and he gamely made his way to second on the back-straight. His companion however had his challenge pretty much ended and even when threatening to rally for a place at the third turn, he got mullered again!
It was a good show from a winner who we all know having scorched around Shelbourne before heading to Keightley's but Peter can be happy with what was a very good performance from Worseforwear when showing pace at all points. Some frustration but also plenty of hope for a talented Cronin youngster.
Heat 13
1 Baldoin
2 Noelles Phelpso
3 Bockos Tiger
4 Nice Charmer Graham
Holland
5 Conors Blake (m)
6 Sharpys Jimmy (m)
4-5-3 / 29.96
Oi Oi!!! We're back on the winning trail. One of the most likable racers over the past 18 months at various venues around Ireland, Charmer had to work in the early stages and was not found wanting. A bump shortly after leaving traps had him in a touch of bother when on the outside of a tight tussle to the corner but with runners inside bumping, he gamely drove the bend and had the race settled before reaching the back-straight. He was chased all the way by a game runner-up who could have more to offer going forward but this was all about the Charmer and his unlimited heart. Another through for Holland and Ireland back on the rostrum.....Come On Ireland!
4-5-3 / 29.96
Oi Oi!!! We're back on the winning trail. One of the most likable racers over the past 18 months at various venues around Ireland, Charmer had to work in the early stages and was not found wanting. A bump shortly after leaving traps had him in a touch of bother when on the outside of a tight tussle to the corner but with runners inside bumping, he gamely drove the bend and had the race settled before reaching the back-straight. He was chased all the way by a game runner-up who could have more to offer going forward but this was all about the Charmer and his unlimited heart. Another through for Holland and Ireland back on the rostrum.....Come On Ireland!
Heat 14
1 Haggswood River
2 Bockos Doomie
3 Dantes Inferno
4 Droopys State
5 Lemon Ronald (m)
6 Distant Sailor (m)
5-2-4 / 29.61
No Irish and fair play to the RPGTV boys who both napped the winner against the odds-on 2nd. The second had shown smart early pace as the young pup recovered from only a moderate start. The winner however is a very strong runner who powered from halfway and will be one who could certainly continue to progress round on round. An interesting heat as any could be without one of our own to shout for, especially considering the very decent clock.
5-2-4 / 29.61
No Irish and fair play to the RPGTV boys who both napped the winner against the odds-on 2nd. The second had shown smart early pace as the young pup recovered from only a moderate start. The winner however is a very strong runner who powered from halfway and will be one who could certainly continue to progress round on round. An interesting heat as any could be without one of our own to shout for, especially considering the very decent clock.
Heat 15
1 Hagglers Hawk
2 Akelawre Liam
Dowling (3)
3 Droopys Expert
4 Swan Style
5 Knockduff Declan (m)
6 Ballymac Devon (m)
4-5-3 29.87
Arrrgghhh, frustrating! The winner was away well and ultimately dominated. Just about a length in advance of Akleware approaching the turn, his sweep to the corner forced the Dowling runner to switch outside and around his backside in search of the hare which cost him much ground. Still occupying a qualifying third, he would then be carried wide when impeded off the second bend and that was seemingly that. He did however rally and was flying off the final turn but his late surge would fall just short and Liam Dowling will be hoping for better luck going forward.
It was a decent show from the winner but most eye-catching of the qualifiers was undoubtedly Droopys Expert who battled brilliantly after a poor start with bumps at both the first and third bends. He was lucky to survive but now that he did, he's a player again.
Heat 16
1 Wolfe Graham
Holland
2 Dorotas Wildcat
3 Brinkleys Poet
4 Savana Tuftys
5 Bellebob Zuri (m)
6 Born To Achieve (m)
1-2-6 / 29.54
The Wolfe takes down the Wildcat! The prodigy lands a first blow against the master. Oi Oi for a performance of real substance from a serious outright contender for the Holland kennels.
Great to see the champion return a smart performance as he attempts to defend the title but how encouraging this is for Wolfe who very conceivably can progress through the event. He matched the Wildcat on the run-up and yes, the inside was a huge advantage in the context of the race but he held off a superstar at every pressure point as the pair did battle all the way to the final turn before Wolfe fully asserted. The clock was good enough for anything and confirms that he will indeed relish the circuit. Come On Ireland!!!
1-2-6 / 29.54
The Wolfe takes down the Wildcat! The prodigy lands a first blow against the master. Oi Oi for a performance of real substance from a serious outright contender for the Holland kennels.
Great to see the champion return a smart performance as he attempts to defend the title but how encouraging this is for Wolfe who very conceivably can progress through the event. He matched the Wildcat on the run-up and yes, the inside was a huge advantage in the context of the race but he held off a superstar at every pressure point as the pair did battle all the way to the final turn before Wolfe fully asserted. The clock was good enough for anything and confirms that he will indeed relish the circuit. Come On Ireland!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment