CHARLIE AND FINFIN FASTEST MIDLANDS DERBY

Ian Fortune

For the second week running Phoenix Charlie set the standard in the Kilbride Kennels Midlands Derby at Mullingar, only this time he had to share the honour with Finfin with both wining their respective assignments in 31.03.

Finley Hanlon’s Finfin was installed joint favourite for the opening heat but was only fourth into the bend. Way To Paradise got loose off the second turn to set a strong gallop but the rapidly improving Finfin began to move through the gears at halfway. Charging into the third turn, the David Hanlon trained son of Dorotas Wildcat and Muffin moved second before slipping up the inside of the pace-setter on the final bend. He would go on to beat the rallying Way To Paradise by a length in 31.03 (rated .50 slow). Killeshil Ranger was another four lengths back in third.

CHARLIE TOO STRONG FOR MARIAS

Phoenix Charlie would win Heat 3 in similar fashion.

Off the pace in the early yards, he displayed early speed to move second before the corner. Marias Bar went up fastest and would prove a tough nut to crack.

Ian Reilly’s Phoenix Charlie flew down the back straight to strike the front on the third turn but he steered a wide passage off the final bend, allowing Marias Bar to go back to the front. It was short-lived, however, as Phoenix Charlie ran hard up the home straight to assume control in the later stages for a length verdict in 31.03 (.50 slow).

BUNKERS FINISHES AT SPEED

It was a case of copy and paste in the final heat as Bunkers Pass also came from off the pace, taking charge on the third turn before powering clear of her rivals on the run in.

Trained by David Murray for the Lakeside Rockets Syndicate, the daughter of Broadstrand Bono and Minnies Hazel was fifth into the turn but really did move through the gears down the back straight to slip up the inside of Killeshil Messi at the third turn. She would go on to win by four lengths from Killeshil Messi in 31.13.

LEON TAKES HIS CHANCE

As was the case in the other heats, Ballycowen Leon came from a long way back to win Heat 2 for Ned Barry, Joseph Gaffey and handler Tommy Kerrigan.

Last into the turn, the son of Ballymac Anton and Ballycowen Lola was left fourth between the opening two bends and he would close with every stride thereafter.

Going third into the third turn, he was handed the initiative between the last two bends as Noirs Best ran wide, carrying Muffin Mikado with him. Ballycowen Leon quickly seized his opportunity, staying on well to beat Muffin Mikado by a length and a half in 31.29. Noirs Best was a further length back in third.

The draw and full form for next week’s semi-finals is available at: https://www.grireland.ie/racing/upcoming-race-cards/upcoming-race-card-summary/?track=MGR&id=110799&date=01-Mar-2025