IRISH SMILES AT TOWCESTER

Ian Fortune

Ireland had another successful night at Towcester on Saturday with no fewer than five heats winners representing these shores including the outright favourite Swords Red.

He was joined in the winner’s enclosure by his kennel companion Clona Duke and Ballyhimkin Leo, while Ballymac Marino and Mcneill also flew the flag for Ireland, coming home clear in their respective heats.

Aside from the five heat winners, there were five additional Irish trained qualifiers with Ballymac Finn, Gaytime Nemo, Beepers Lariat, Jacktavern Bella and Savana Hero all running with real credit in defeat.

REX TOO HOT TO HANDLE

In terms of the clock, Swords Rex was the standout performer as the sole greyhound to dip under 29 seconds on the night.

In fact, the brilliant Easter Cup champion was over two lengths quicker than the next fastest heat winner as he clocked a rapid 28.95.

This was a very straight forward success for the son of Droopys Sydney as he dominated from the outset to lead home his compatriot Beepers Lariat by four and a half lengths. The latter missed the kick but paced up very well to turn second.

By this point Swords Rex had flown into a clear advantage and was relentless to the line to emerged a facile winner but the runner-up lost nothing in defeat.

LEO TAKES HIS CHANCE

Next to score was Ballyhimikin Leo.

Completing a quick double for Graham Holland. The son of Ballyhimikin Jet forced his way through dogs to sit second on the turn and he was quickly left in front when Barley Panther lost his action on the bend.

Untold Zloty then took up the pursuit of Ballyhimkin Leo, but couldn’t land a telling blow as the new pace-setter powered clear from the third turn to eventually win by four and a quarter lengths in 29.21.

DUKE WINS AS FINN PROGRESSES

It didn’t take long for Graham Holland to complete his hat trick as it came in the very next heat with Clona Duke recovering from a very slow start to win a thrilling battle.

Last from traps, Clona Duke was afforded room up the inside of the track as both Savana Titan and Ballymac Finn went up fast from traps two and one.

Showing fine early speed and track craft, Clona Duke shot up the inside to challenge Ballymac Finn on the second bend with the pair going nose to nose into the third turn. before edging to the front. Clona Duke edged on as they hit the final bend but he still needed to be on his toes as Savana Titan was now in full flight in behind. IN a tremendous finish, Clona Duke held on to score by a short head in 29.58 with Ballymac Finn qualifying in third, a half lengths further back. 

MCNEILL FAR TOO STRONG

The Irish domination continued in Heat 5 as Mcneill justified his lofty position in the betting to score for Paul Hennessy.

Fourth into the turn, he really starter to wind up his challenge into the third turn. Finishing with his normal gusto, the powerful son of Jaytee Jet was second into the home straight before pouncing on the run in for a three parts of a length victory over Mystical Mario in 29.13.

MARINO WITH LITTLE FUSS

Liam Dowling’s Ballymac Marino was the last of the Irish trained winners in the final heat.

Much like his opening round success, this was over from before the turn. Although headed at traps by his former kennel mate Savana Bailey, he quickly moved to the front and eased away to eventually score by almost four lengths in 29.17. 

NEMO IMPRESSES IN DEFEAT

Of course, other Irish trained runners also impressed in qualifying, including Gaytime Nemo who ran a huge race to finish second in the opening heat.

He was second into the turn behind Faypoint Susie but was forced to check wide, finding further traffic problems.

At this stage his chances of qualifying hung in the balance but he had other ideas. Showing massive back straight pace, Nemo was on the heels of the leaders at the third turn and, while he couldn’t find a way around Faypoint Susie, he finished a close second, beaten just a length and a quarter in 29.49. 

BELLA SAFELY THROUGH

Jacktavern Bella found a way through the traffic in Heat 14 to finish second to Savana Beau.

She couldn’t quite hold her position into the turn and was only fifth into the back straight. She was nothing if not game, however, staying on strongly to come through for second.

One of those she overcame to qualify was Sogna In Grande. The Jack Kennelly trained tracker turned second but failed to hold his position and he eventually finished at the tail of the field, ending his English Derby adventure.

HERO THROUGH BUT JOEY OUT

The only other Irish qualifier on the night was Savana Hero in Heat 15.

Prominent from the outset, he actually led briefly into the third turn but had no answer to Cochise, who ran on well to win by five lengths in 29.29. Savana Hero was second. Sadly, Ballymac Joey missed the start and found plenty of trouble spots before exiting the classic in fifth.