IRISH STILL EYEING AN ENGLISH DERBY VICTORY

Ian Fortune

The news of the Swords Rex withdrawal from the quarter finals of the Star Sports/ TRC English Derby came as a real blow to the competition as a whole and the Irish challenge but his compatriots can continue to fly the flag this evening at Towcester.

Each of the four heats feature at least two Irish challengers and there is reason to believe over half of the semi-finalists will represent these shores.

NEMO, GORDEN AND DUKE BID TO TOPPLE SHIVOO

Defending champion Gaytime Nemo will bid to go one step closer to a remarkable English Derby double in the opening heat. The Graham Holland trained star has tiptoed through the competition to this point being quietly impressive both in victory and defeat.

He is drawn on trap two, the same box where he won the Derby from last year, but will need to come away racing as the Pat Buckley trained Superfast Gorden is drawn on his inner in one. Superfast Gorden has obvious claims, especially if starting on terms.

Grouchos Duke has been flying for John Byrne. It’s clear he came into the classic undercooked but has improved notably for each outing and can again take a step forward. He will need to, however, as a trap five draw leaves little room for error especially with the likely hot favourite Crafty Shivoo drawn on his inside in three.

The latter has been in absolutely brilliant form in recent weeks and is a worthy favourite. She will be hard to beat but Superfast Gorden, Gaytime Nemo and Grouchos Duke are seen as the main dangers.

IRISH QUARTET FACING A TOUGH TEST AGAINST MEMPHIS

Should Crafty Shivoo come home in front, King Memphis will be an odds-on favourite to complete a quick double for the home team in Heat 2. The Derby favourite is drawn on the fence for the second week running and looks set to continue his winning path through the classic.

Ireland’s hopes in this contest rest on the shoulders of Ballymac Gizmo, Ballymac Finn, Hawkfield Abbie and Ballinabola Ed. All four are very talented but need to be at their very sharpest to progress. Ballinabola Ed is slowly returning to his very best but needs to come through the bars. Ballymac Finn is running well and is capable of racing prominently, while Ballymac Gizmo is very strong but needs to improve his starting. Hawkfield Abbie probably needs luck to get involved.

KOBE CHOSEN TO SLAM DUNK ON RIVALS AGAIN

The Other Kobe may be into his fifth year but he has looked as good as ever in recent weeks and is chosen to come home in front in Heat 3. The 2023 Boylesports Derby champion is drawn in three and is set to dominate from the outset.

The presence of the Ginger McGee trained Hawkfield Blue in two is a slight concern but, should he come away racing, Kobe can assert in the opening yards. Hawkfield Blue is worthy of plenty of respect, while Ballymac Slick will be finishing fastest and could also potentially make the frame for the Irish.

LAHDEDAH TO SHOW HIS CLASS

Ireland’s De Lahdedah and Boylesports Bob dominate the betting in Heat 4 and hopefully both can progress with little fuss. De Lahdedah was one of the stars of the third round in defeat, narrowly going down to Crafty Shivoo.

With a similar start to last week, the brilliant son of Lenson Bocko could go extremely fast and he is chosen to come home clear. Boylesports Bob overcame a slow start and early traffic last week, flying at the finish to qualify in third. Obviously, he can go up far faster and is seen as the main threat to De Lahdedah. The pair are chosen to finish first and second.