CRAZE SIZZLES AT TOWCESTER

Ian Fortune

Ireland will have no fewer than four finalists in the KAB Maiden Derby at Towcester on Sunday afternoon after a hugely successful return yesterday afternoon.

The headlines went to the Paul Hennessy trained Jaytee Craze as he posted a fastest of the day 28.88 on his way to a wide-margin success in the second semi-final.

He will be joined in the decider by his kennel companions Barefoot Awesome and Jaytee Etienne after both finished in their respective semis, while Garfiney Blake was a winner for Graham Holland.

CRAZE SIMPLY TOO GOOD

Jaytee Craze was ideally housed on the fence in Heat 2 and quickly took charge at the head of affairs. Once doing so, the powerful son of Ballymac Cashout eased on to win by four and a half lengths from the always second Miami Bullet in 28.88.

BLAKE AND AWESOME PROGRESS

Garfiney Blake won in similar fashion, leading early from a rails draw to see off Barefoot Awesome. The latter found plenty of traffic around the opening and second bends but ran on well. Garfiney Blake hit the line almost seven lengths to the good in 29.47.

ETIENNE SECOND AS ABBIE AND STEEL GO OUT

There were three Irish trained runners in the last of the three semis but Hawkfield Abbie and Romeo Steel were out of luck and finished out of the frame. Glorious Tom made the most of an inside draw to lead at the turn. Jaytee Etienne may have found traffic but recovered well to come through for second, some three and a half lengths behind the winner who stopped the clock in 29.34.

KAB Maiden Derby

Final draw

1 Jaytee Craze
2 Garfiney Blake
3 Miami Bullet
4 Barefoot Awesome
5 Glorious Tom
6 Jaytee Etienne

IRISH IN ACTION IN DERBY TRIAL STAKES

Defending champion Gaytime Nemo had his first start around Towcester since his historic success last July in Division 1 of the Star Sports/ TRC English Derby Trial Stake but luck wasn’t on his side. After a slow start and early traffic he could only finish fourth behind Droopys Doughnut. Hawkfield Blue was third for Ginger McGee in the same contest.

Swords Fudge earlier finished third, beaten just a neck and a head in the opening Trial Stakes. Newinn Port came home in front in Division 3 of the Trial Stakes. The Graham Holland trained son of Kinloch Brae led from the turn to emerge a six and a half length winner in 29.37.