ISO SHINES ON BIG NIGHT IN DRUMO

Ian Fortune

Iso Fantastic has long been a hugely consistent tracker for Michael Corr and the shrewd handler would have been delighted to see his son of Iso Octane claim the Billy Hutchinson Memorial & DTSC 525 at Drumbo Park on Saturday night.

It was a wonderful card at the Northern venue but the £2,000 to the winner prize was the undoubted feature. Sent to traps the 1-2 favourite after a fine semi-final success, Iso Fantastic, who has raced over six bends in the past, was always in complete control after a lightning fast start from trap five.

A mile clear at halfway, he continued to gallop on strongly to see off Tullymurry I Am by five lengths in a sizzling 28.32. Sword Of Honour was best of the remainder in third, some nine lengths adrift.

DREAM AND CHIEF IMPRESS IN PUPPY CUP

The semi-finals of the DTSC Ulster Puppy Cup also produced two fine displays with odds-on favourites Bit View Dream and Carefree Chief winning their respective heats from trap two in identical times.

Bit View Dream, trained by Kieran Morgan for June Maguire, displayed immediate acceleration after a slightly tardy start to lead from the opening yards and he went on to score by two lengths in 17.86, maintaining his unbeaten career record in what was just hi second start. Stevie Knows was second with Dromrich Setanta third.

The second heat saw Marina McKeown’s Carefree Chief win in very similar fashion. The Kurtis Bain trained son of Laughil Blake and Carefree Grace didn’t take a flier but did show wonderful acceleration to lead early.

Once gong to the front he eased on to beat Dromrich Bula by three and a half lengths in 17.86. Ogalla Meabh was third.  

SAM BOOKS HIS DERBY PLACE

Kurtis Bain later took the Boylesports Irish Derby Trial Stake with the Liqourice Allsorts Syndicate owned Abigails Sam emerging a good winner.

Ocees Bud led early but was always pressed by Abigails Sam, who took up the running at the third turn. He proceeded to see of his rival by a length in 30.21.