IRISH AGAIN TO THE FORE AT TOWCESTER

Ian Fortune

The Irish had another great night at Towcester on Saturday evening, again highlighting the strength of the raiding party. Five of the eleven heat winners were representing these shores, while there were also a number of big displays in defeat. 

 

EXILE GETS THE BALL ROLLING

Road Exile gave the Irish and Pat Buckley a great start, justifying favouritism with a typically professional display of front running. Opening a commanding lead to the third turn, he did come back to the field before holding on by a rapidly diminishing length from Droopys Vivacity in 29.14.

 

MARTHA LIKE A BULLET FROM A GUN

Glengar Martha won in remarkably similar fashion to her kennel companion Road Exile in Heat 23. The Pat Buckley trained daughter of Droopys Sydney absolutely flew from the outside box to dominate.

Aero Convey stayed on for second but Glengar Martha was in a different league to her rivals, winning by five lengths in 28.75. Incidentally, her 3.90 opening sectional was the fastest of the entire opening round. Da Bold Falcon carried no luck in this contest, missing the start to sit off the pace throughout. He would eventually finish fifth of five.

 

TREND A REAL PRO

High Trend was at his professional best when winning Heat 25 although he needed to be as Ballinabola Ed ran a fine race on comeback to finish a good second. High Trend shot from trap two and made all to contain Ballinabola Ed by two lengths in 29.09.

 

SLICK OPENS ACOUNT

Liam Dowling’s Ballymac Slick finally lost in maiden status and in some style in Heat 27. Despite missing the kick (4.30 sectional) and finding himself off the pace around the corner, he worked his way into contention by the third turn before storming up the home straight to win by three parts of a length from the long-time leader Keefill Goose in 29.14.

 

SENAN TOO SHARP

Liam Dowling later completed a double with Ballymac Senan dominating in the penultimate heat. There were three Irish runners in this contest but sadly Bens Teddy didn’t look himself and finishing tailed off. In contrast. Merits Inclusion ran well for much of the way.  

Ballymac Senan was always in control, leading Merits Inclusion into the back straight before going on to score by almost four lengths. Queen Leona stayed on well for second with Merits Inclusion taking third.

 

GIZMO RUNS WELL IN DEFEAT

Ballymac Gizmo was second in Heat 26, despite taking a slight stumble at trap rise. He recovered well, running on well to grab second some five and a half lengths behind impressive winner Barntick Bear in 28.68.

 

CRAZE CATCHES THE EYE

Jaytee Craze ran a huge race to finish second in Heat 28. Paul Hennessy's charge challenged for second into the turn but found plenty of traffic to fall back to fifth. He moved fourth as they entered the back and drew closer with each stride thereafter.

Moving third before the final turn, he charged home to grab second in the closing yards. Clona Kody won the race in 29.31 but Jaytee Craze was the big eye-catcher in second, just a length back.

 

GORDEN PICKED UP LATE

Superfast Gorden ran well in the final heat making most of the running only to be picked up by the very strong King Combs. Superfast Gorden was sharpest in the early yards, comfortably leading his rivals to the turn but the writing was on the wall when King Combs turned closer than normal in second.

King Combs took over on the run in to beat Superfast Gorden by three parts of a length in 28.86.

 

RUSHY AND TRINITY OUT OF LUCK

The most disappointing result of the night for the Irish came in Heat 23 as Rushy Meadows and Trinity Junior finished at the tail of the field after looking certain to dominate after leading the field into the turn.

Rushy Meadows went up fastest and was a length or more in front on the corner but ran wide, clashing with Trinity Junior. The latter then found further traffic between the opening two bends, effectively ending his hopes. The pair would finish fifth and sixth behind lucky winner Droopy Priority.

 

ENGLISH DERBY DRAW AT 12.30

The second-round draw for the Star Sports/ TRC English Derby is set for 12.30pm this afternoon. With such a massive Irish challenge remaining there is sure to be keen interest and anyone wishing to view the draw live can do so at: https://www.starsportsbet.co.uk/draw24/