SEVEN UP FOR IRISH AT TOWCESTER

Ian Fortune

Ireland had yet another memorable night at Towcester on Friday night, sending out seven of the ten heats winners in the second session of opening round heats of the Star Sports/ TRC English Derby.

Fastest of the seven was the exciting Antigua Hawk, while Graham Holland had a wonderful five-timer, which included victories for Swords Rex, Clonbrien Treaty and defending champion Gaytime Nemo.

TREATY SETS THE TONE

Clonbrien Treaty got the ball rolling for Ireland and Graham Holland in Heat 11, the first of the evening. The three time classic winner was remarkably sent off the 10-3 second favourite behind Queen Joni but it was pretty much a one-dog contest long before the corner.

With the favourite finding traffic in the early yards after a missed start, Clonbrien Treaty flew into the bend after a moderate start to lead fellow Irish runner Hopes Hurricane into the back straight. The latter would eventually fade out of contention allowing El Tornillo and the winner's kennel companion Faypoint Sean to progress. Clonbrien Treaty went on to hit the line almost five lengths clear in 29.12.

STEEL SEES OFF DAPPER

Romeo Steel was the second leg of the Holland five-timer when holding off Ballymac Dapper in a desperately tight finish to Heat 15. Moving off the fence after a fast start, Romeo Steel moved across Ballymac Dapper to get first run.

Ballymac Dapper did all he could to get back on terms but Romeo Steel had just enough in hand to score by a short head in 29.07.

REX RUNS RIOT

Next it was the turn of Swords Rex as he justified odds-on favouritism to win Heat 16. He did have to work harder than many expected with Druids All Go keeping him honest throughout. Swords Rex was under pressure off the final turn but kept going to secure a half-length verdict over his pursuer in 28.99. Coolavanny Otto, the second Irish runner, was out of luck, finding traffic on the turn before finishing out of the frame.

SUSIE SHARPEST

Faypoint Susie was a straightforward winner of the penultimate heat of the night, making it four for Graham Holland. Flashing from traps, she was always in charge before going on to see off her kennel companion Newinn Port by three and a quarter lengths in 29.03.

DEFENDING CHAMP SCORES

Defending champion Gaytime Nemo completed the set for Graham Holland and his Riverside Kennels operation when coming home in front in the last heat of the evening. The son of Droopys Sydney struggled to get loose but forced his way to the front as they turned for home.

Once striking the front, Gaytime Nemo stayed on strongly to emerge a near three length scorer in 29.14.

HAWK FLIES

Antigua Hawk was the fastest of Ireland’s representatives on the night as he opened his account at the fourth time of asking, showing tremendous early speed to make a big impression in Heat 18. Pat Buckley has long believed the son of Droopys Sydney was a star and, once going to the front, he was never under any pressure.

Wolf Moon chased hard throughout but Antigua Hawk was too good as he ran out a ready three and a quarter length scorer in a rapid 28.81. The Ginger McGee trained Hawkfield Abbie also qualified for Irish, almost three lengths further back in third.

BLUE BOUNCES OUT TO DOMINATE

Hawkfield Blue was most impressive as he provided Ireland with their second winner on the night in Heat 13. The Ginger McGee trained star was sharpest at traps and proceeded to dominate before emerging a thoroughly deserving two and a half length winner over Droopys Pivotel in 28.82. Sadly, both Bockos Crystal and Ballinabola Bill made their exits in this heat.

FINN SECOND TO MEMPHIS

2022 Irish Derby runner-up Ballymac Finn qualified in second on Heat 12, although there was no stopping the ante-post favourite King Memphis as he took off, after a fast start, to equal the track record with a six-length victory over Ballymac Finn in 28.58.

MR CHELM PROGRESSES

Mr Chelm returned to Towcester to qualify in third for Peter Cronin and Kevin O’Brien in Heat 17. The 2022 English Derby runner-up was crowded in the early yards but recovered well to finish four and a half lengths behind Wrighty, who stopped the cock in 29.11.

BOB GRABS THIRD

Rapido Bob, a kennel companion to Mr Chelm, also qualified in third in Heat 14. He looked destined to make his exit for much of the way after early crowding but ran on well to grab third on the line behind Droopys Supply.