CHARLIE THE DERBY STAR AT MULLINGAR

Ian Fortune

The Kilbride Kennels Midlands Derby got underway at Mullingar on Saturday night and the undoubted star of proceedings was the rampant Phoenix Charlie as he came home a mile clear in the first of the six heats, posting a fastest of the round 30.89 in the process.

In fact, Billy Reilly’s charge was the only heat winner to dip under the 31 second barrier and was a full five lengths quicker than the next fastest qualifier Muffin Mikado.

Sent to traps the 2/5 favourite for the opening heat, the Ian Reilly trained son of Ballymac Best and Lemon Ariana couldn’t have won any easier. Going to the front before the corner, he eased right away to beat Whodoyoucollar and Cagey Billy by ten and a half lengths and a length in 30.89.

A DOUBLE FOR REILLY

Ian Reilly would complete a double in the very next heat with Noirs Best taking charge off the final turn before going on to score.

The son of Ballymac Best and Hoof It Katie would ease on to win by two and a half lengths in 31.42.

A SWEET SUCCESS FOR MUFFIN

The aforementioned Muffin Mikado won in similar fashion, leading early to see off her rivals with relative ease in Heat 5.

David Hanlon’s daughter of Dorotas Wildcat and Muffin would cruise home five and a half lengths clear of Ballycowen Leon. A Thousand Faces would finish three lengths further adrift in third. 

DAISY RALLIES TO SCORE

Oakwood Daisy was just a spot when winning the final heat for Brian Reilly.

A regular scorer around Mullingar, the daughter of Broadstrand Bono and Ardevan Jewel led early before being headed by Bunkers Pass. Oakwood Daisy would rally on the run in, however, getting back up to score by a length in 31.25.

A KILLESHIL DOUBLE FOR VINCENT

Vincent Lynch’s Killeshil Messi (Superior Panama/ Killeshil Beauty) was strongest in Heat 3, racing prominent from the start before outstaying Marias Bar on the run in for a length verdict in 31.31.

Some fifteen minutes later, Vincent Lynch completed a double with Killeshil Ranger winning in very similar fashion to his litter brother. Staying on strongly, he would come through on the run in to beat Aulton Jim by two lengths in 31.37.

The draw for the second round is available here: https://www.grireland.ie/racing/upcoming-race-cards/upcoming-race-card-summary/?track=MGR&id=110744&date=22-Feb-2025