ANOTHER FINE NIGHT FOR IRISH AT TOWCESTER

Ian Fortune

Of the total 27 Irish trained runners to take their place in the opening round of the Star Sports/ TRC English Derby, just three failed to progress to next week’s second round.

In Saturday’s concluding session of opening round heats, there was a further two Irish trained winners with both Ballymac Joey and Beepers Lariat coming home in front, while only the luckless Fernandes made his exit.

JOEY BACK TO WINNING WAYS

Ballymac Joey gave the Irish a perfect start, coming home clear in the first of the eleven heats.

Liam Dowling’s star hadn’t won a race since September, albeit he had been taking on the best in Ireland, before coming home clear in Heat 23.

The well bred son of Ballymac Bolger and Ballymac Arminta was prominent into the turn, riding a bump to slip around a close second to Hopes Woofwoof. Staying close to the fence, he took charge as they hit the second bend. It was the decisive moment in the contest.

Hopes Woofwoof and the favourite Lautaro attempted to get after Ballymac Joey but he was too strong. Maintaining a powerful gallop to the line, the September ’20 whelp emerged a comfortable two and three quarter length scorer in 29.17.  

A NOTABLE RUN ROM BEEPERS LARIAT

There was a wonderful result for Ireland in the very next heat as Jack Kennelly sent out his exciting prospect Beepers Lariat to see off a top-class field that included the ante-post favourite Fromposttopillar.

This was far from a straightforward success for Beepers Lariat with the son of Droopys Sydney and Beaming Smasher getting nothing easy. Savana Bailey broke smartly and led the field up the inside of the track.

Beepers Lariat and his fellow Irish raider Fernandes did all they could up the middle of the track to find a challenging position. Despite finding himself surrounded by rivals. Beepers Lariat slipped around in second with Fernandes third.

The race was now on. Showing fine determination and pace into the third turn, Beepers Lariat made his move up the inside of Savana Bailey, moving fluently to take up the running. Sadly for Fernandes, he was clipped from behind from the advancing Fromposttopillar, costing both a place in the next round.

Beepers Lariat stayed on well to then contain the rallying Savana Bailey by a half length in 29.53.

KHALIFA AND RAVEN PROGRESS

Both Irish runners, Burj Khalifa and Tullig Raven, progressed from Heat 24 although neither had an answer to Cochise.

The latter flashed from traps to make all, while Tullig Raven and Burj Khalifa gave chase in second and third into the back straight.

Burj Khalifa stayed on well to take second some seven and a quarter lengths behind the winner, while Tullig Raven finished another length back in third.

LEO QUALIFIES

The only other Irish runner on the card came in the very last heat with Ballyhimkin Leo running well to take second behind Droopys Google.

Despite being forced wide around the turn, Ballyhimikin Leo entered the back straight in third before moving second at the third turn. he then stayed on strongly to be beaten just four and a half lengths in 29.07.