TEN IRISH THROUGH TO ENGLISH QUARTER FINALS

Ian Fortune

The UK challenge for the Star Sports/ TRC English Derby finally came alive at Towcester on Saturday evening with the likes of Romeo Command, Brinkleys Magic and Distant Podge going fastest for the home team but Ireland still managed to send out half of the eight heat winners with Swords Rex maintaining his position as the favourite for outright honours.

Unfortunately, defending champion Romeo Magico made his exit but Ireland will had ten representatives in the draw for the quarter finals.

REX SETS THE TONE

Swords Rex gave Ireland the perfect start, displaying exceptional early speed to race clear of a talented field in the opening heat.

Ballymac Finn was seen as the main danger to Swords Rex but could never really get going before eventually clinging on to qualify in third.

Swords Rex was the easiest winner of the night, however. The brilliant Easter Cup champ pulled further and further clear of those in pursuit. Ballymac Finn initially gave chase but couldn’t hold Romeo Top Gun, who eventually came through for second, albeit a long way behind the winner.

Swords Rex emerged a very easy eleven and a half length scorer over Romeo Top Gun in 28.93.

Sadly, Ballymac Bronze missed the start and failed to qualify in last.

MARINO PAW PERFECT

Ireland had to wait until Heat 4 for a second winner with Liam Dowling’s Ballymac Marino fully justifying odds of 2-7.

The Juvenile Classic champion dominated from the start to come home four and a half lengths clear of Hopes Rhino in 29.24. The time seemed strangely slow but there were inconsistencies with the going on the night and it’s perhaps best ignored.

HANZO ALWAYS IN CONTROL

Romeo Hanzo provided Graham Holland with a double in Heat 5, leading early to win at odds-on for David Firmager.

Drifting off the fence from an inside draw, the son of Romeo Recruit and Fabulous Mila was soon in complete control.

It was all very straightforward for the 4-6 favourite as he saw off Aero Arran by three and three quarter lengths in 29.19. 

BURJ WITH A TOWERING DISPLAY

The final winner of the night for the raiding party came in Heat 7 as Burj Khalifa ran out a ready winner for Brendan Matthews.

An insulting 20-1 during the week, he went to traps a far more respectable 8-1 from the outside box and those that took the fancy odds were soon in clover.

Predictably Signet Goofy went up fast from trap five to lead the field into the turn but he wasn’t as far clear as many expected. Cochise and Burj Khalifa were right on his heels and when the former was hampered by Maree Champion, Burj Khalifa was left a clear second.

The massive son of Soul carried plenty of momentum into the back straight and charged past the pace-setter into the third turn. Clearly loving life out front, Burj Khalifa eased right away to score by five lengths in 29.14. he wasn’t the only Irish qualifier in this contest. Despite missing the kick and finding traffic on the bend, Jacktavern Bella picked her way through the pack before flying home to grab second.

DUKE PROGRESSES IN SECOND

Clona Duke and Beepers Lariat were in action for Ireland in Heat 2 but sadly, only the former progressed when finishing second to the Tom Heilbron trained Brinkleys Magic.

The latter is actually owned by Irishman Leonard Kinsella and was at his very best as he flashed from traps to make all for a 28.79 success.  

Clona Duke was always second but really had no answer to the winner, eventually finishing some seven and a half length adrift. Beepers Lariat was never a factor after missing the start. He found traffic on the turn and eventually finished fifth.

GIFT RUNS BETTER THAN RESULT SUGGESTS

Boylesports Gift was beaten a long way into third in Heat 3 behind a rampant Romeo Command, who set the standard with a massive 28.75 return, but he ran a far bigger race than the result would suggest.   

Romeo Command shot from traps and was never threatened but Boylesports Gift found traffic on more than one occasion and actually ran very well to qualify. He eventually came home almost two lengths behind the runner-up Signet Otis, who in turn was beaten almost nine lengths by the winner.

Savana Hero made his exit in this contest, missing the start and eventually fading out of contention to finish fifth.

NEMO ONLY IRISH TO ADVANCE FROM HEAT 6

There were high hopes for the Irish challenge in Heat 6 with Gaytime Nemo, Undulation and As I Say in action.

Unfortunately, only Gaytime Nemo progressed behind trap to line winner Distant Podge. Both Brendan Matthews trained runners Undulation and AS I say found traffic in the early stages, eventually finishing fifth and sixth. 

Gaytime Nemo was never too far away, turning second but he was picked up by last year’s finalist Savana Beau. He was eventually beaten two lengths and a length behind Distant Podge, who stopped the clock in 28.96.

LEO THROUGH AS MAGICO MAKES HIS EXIT

The Irish carried little luck in the final heat which went to Fabulous Azzura.

Defending champion Romeo Magico was installed favourite but he walked from traps and was always struggling to get involved thereafter.

He rushed into the turn where he found crowding, also badly hampering Mcneill. Ballyhimkin Leo also missed the start but improved his position to turn third. That was where he was to remain. Both Romeo Magico and Mcneill stayed on strongly but it wasn’t meant to be. Magico finished just three parts of a length behind Ballyhimkin Leo in fourth with Mcneill the same distance away in fifth.