ANOTHER DRAMATIC NIGHT FOR IRISH AT TOWCESTER

Ian Fortune

It was a case of copy and paste for the Irish runners at Towcester on Saturday evening as they encountered mixed fortunes for the second night running as the opening round of the Star Sports & Orchestrate English Derby came to a conclusion.

The biggest shock of the evening was the elimination of Ballymac Setanta in Heat 16. A missed start and bad traffic throughout saw Liam Dowling’s star finish back in fifth.

Setanta would show big pace to put himself in a challenging position at the turn but he suffered bad crowding on the inside of the track before finding more traffic on the second bend.

In what was his first look at Towcester, he never looked comfortable thereafter and was picked up for fourth in the latter stages, crashing out in fifth.

SANDWICHES JUST SNEAKS THROUGH

Irish Derby champion Cheap Sandwiches seemed likely to suffer a similar fate in Heat 17 when left completely flat-footed at boxes.

A bad last early, he had plenty of luck on the turn when left fourth. Romeo Arran would come at him late but he clung on by a head to qualify in fourth.

In the same heat, former Towcester 500m track record holder Lennies Desire qualified in second for Paul Hennessy. Third into the turn, he got up on the line to take second, some three and three quarter lengths behind 28.96 winner Droopys Berries.

BRIAN SETS THE STANDARD

While Cheap Sandwiches needed plenty to go right to even qualify, his kennel companion Slippery Brian initiated as double for Graham Holland when coming home in front in the opening race on the card, Heat 15.

One of three Irish trained runners in the heat, he was the only one to get involved. Ello Ello and Uncle Keith both missed the start and found traffic before finishing out of the qualifying spots.

In contrast, Slippery Brian forced his way to the front into the bend and held the late charge of Ballymac Kobe to win by a head in 28.69, which would turn out to be the fastest time of the second session.

ALL VERY EASY FOR CLYDE

Gaytime Clyde made light work of his task in Heat 18.

Breaking on terms, the Rural Kennels Open Unraced winner shot up the inside of Zenith Jimbombom to dictate at the turn. From there he proceeded to open up before seeing off Soapy Suds by four lengths in 28.78.

CORNER A BIG PLAYER

Hackney Corner looked every inch a Derby contender in Heat 20 when lowering the colours of the UK’s fastest female Strike It Skye.

Pat Buckley’s star didn’t fly from traps but flew into the turn to assume control. Despite a small clip from behind approaching the bend, he slipped around in front and then comfortably contained the best efforts of Strike It Skye to win by a length and a half in 28.83.

DENIRO SHOWS AWESOME PACE

Ballymac Deniro was one of the more impressive opening round winners when coming home alone in Heat 22, although his odds-on backers had reason to feel concerned when he walked from trap four.

Thankfully, the Juvenile Classic champion displayed big pace and wonderful track craft to stay wide of the field and enter the back straight within striking distance. Charging into the third turn, he took over from Alright Twinkle before powering clear to win by an ever-increasing four and a half lengths in 29.08.

Sadly, Low Profile had less luck in this contest, running into blind alleys on a couple of occasions before finishing fourth in what was a three-to-qualify heat.

TANKS SENDS OUT A WARNING

Lennies Tank sent out a clear warning in Heat 26 that he could yet be a big player in the classic.

There were questions asked as to how he would handle Towcester but he answered them in emphatic fashion.

Despite a slow start, his pace and track craft carried him to the front before halfway. Running a true line on the banked bends, he eased on before seeing off Romeo Empire by two and a half lengths in 28.92.

IROKO BRINGS THE CURTAIN DOWN IN STYLE

Ballymac Iroko ended the opening round on a real high for Liam Dowling and the Irish.

He hadn’t impressed in his trial but looked more than happy in his first assignment at Towcester. Moving second into the turn, he cut down the early leader Carrick Fergie, taking over as they turned for home before easing on to win by two and a half lengths in 28.86.

JOACHIM AND WARRIOR THROUGH IN SECOND

Garfiney Warrior was favourite for Heat 19 but ultimately he needs further and struggled to stay close to the pace in the opening half of the contest before running on strongly to take second behind Kellies Emerald.

Gaytime Joachim safely progressed in second in Heat 21. He may have gone close to winning but for leaving a gap on his inner for Goldcash Warrior to slip through between the opening two bends. He stayed on to take second, some two and three quarter lengths behind Goldcash Warrior.

DYNAMIC SNEAKS INTO SECOND ROUND

Lennies Dynamic snuck through in fourth in Heat 23, but sadly Down Tothe Wire made his exit in this contest.

Lennies Dynamic missed the start but paced up well to move into a qualifying position. Despite failing to challenge, he less than five lengths behind Irish Derby finalist Proper Heiress, who won in 28.76.

OLLIE ALSO PROGRESSES

Yorkie Ollie also progressed in Heat 25.

The 11-10 favourite, he was never far off the pace but finished third, beaten less than a length by Rebel Alaska.