KOBE STRIKES AS GRAHAM HAS TOWCESTER FIVE-TIMER

Ian Fortune

The Other Kobe returned from a 246 day layoff to make a winning return to action at Towcester on Sunday afternoon, highlighting his claim in the upcoming Star Sports/ TRC English Derby. It was a tremendous display from the brilliant son of Ballymac Best, only bettered by his handler Graham Holland and his Riverside Kennels operation who sent out five winners on the day.

KOBE IMPRESSES

Race after race, Holland’s stars were thoroughly professional but it was The Other Kobe that understandably attracted the most attention. Racing from a tough draw in five in the second division of the Derby Trial Stakes, he was typically sharp at traps and made every yard.

Posting a rapid 3.99 sectional, he eventually saw off the always second Cooliogold by two lengths in 28.97, some thirty eight spots faster than his trial a week earlier. There is clearly better to come from The Other Kobe but this display would have sent out a clear warning that he means business and is ready for the English Derby challenge.

HARVEY GOES FASTEST

Recent Juvenile Championship winner Faypoint Harvey was the fastest of Holland’s five winners when running out a facile winner of division three. Sent to traps the 8-13 favourite, he flew from boxes to post a sizzling 3.96 before making all to beat Keefill Rocky by five lengths in 28.85. Given his profile, his rapid rate of improvement, the Munster Juvenile winner is set to be a big player in the Derby.

STEEL GETS THE BALL ROLLING

Romeo Steel also won at odds on for Holland, capturing the opening race on the card, Division six of the Derby Tial stakes. The 1-2 favourite was in charge from the outset, making the most of his inside draw to come home a mile clear. At the line he had over eight lengths to spare over Droopys Croker in 28.97.

SUSIE CONTINUES LOVE AFFAIR WITH TOWCESTER

Long before joining Graham Holland, Faypoint Susie had impressed around Towcester on more than one occasion last year. It was like she never left when watching her win Division five. Again sharper than her rivals in the early yards, she went on to make all to see off Keefill Goose by six lengths in 29.06.

TREND GOING THE RIGHT WAY

Laurels champion High Trend looked lost in his previous outing at Towcester but he is certainly getting the hang of the Northamptonshire venue if his run in the top division of the Derby Trial stakes is anything to go by.

Again flashing from the inside box, he ran a much better corner than seven days earlier to make every inch. He was challenged into the third turn to rallied on the run in to emerge a near five length winner in 29.07. Off all the winners on the afternoon, he was the one that looks set to improve most or further experience of Towcester.

NO LUCK FOR CRYSTAL

Remarkably, Bockos Crystal was the 8-13 favourite to give Holland victory in every one of the Derby Trial Stakes but she wasn’t at her best. Despite racing prominently into the bend, her usual dash wasn’t there and she faded out of contention to finish last. Hopefully, all is right with the Boylesports Derby runner-up.