MISSION CONTROL LEADS THE WAY IN LENNIES DERBY QUARTERS

Ian Fortune

The quarter-finals of the Lennies Derby produced four fascinating contests at Kilkenny on Friday night, with Mission Control emerging as the fastest winner of the round.

The Mick English trained tracker produced a powerful display to land Heat 3 in 28.91, while Kilgraney Nike, Kilgraney Bob and Cracking Cody also booked their semi-final places with victory.

Indeed, Kilgraney Nike and Kilgraney Bob provided their handler Thomas Buggy with a superb double.

NIKE EDGES KUDOS

Kilgraney Nike, owned by the Wheresdaharegone Syndicate, showed plenty of determination to land the opening quarter-final, getting the better of favourite Kishlawn Kudos.

The latter seemed a certain scorer when turning close to the pace before edging on early in the back straight.

However, early pace-setter Group Chick got back up her inside at the third turn with Kishlawn Kudos looking a bit flat. Group Chick led the field into the home straight but Kilgraney Nike was now drawing closer.

Coming between the front two to launch his challenge, the son of Ballymac Best and Carrigeen Wren outstayed his rivals to eventually strike the line a half-length in front of Kishlawn Kudos in 29.50.

Mystical Ranger stayed on well to take third, just another half-length adrift.

BOB FINDS PLENTY LATE

Kilgraney Bobproduced a strong staying performance to land the second quarter-final, completing the double for Thomas Buggy.

Mary Buggy’s charge came from off the pace to deny Foyle Milo in the closing stages.

The pair raced side by side into the bend but Foyle Milo stayed tight to the fence to assert on the bend. Kilgraney Bob remained close enough to challenge and gradually closed the gap.The son of Ballymac Cashout and Flaminhasntabobdrew closer to challenge off the final turn before getting up on the line to score by a head in 29.31.

Group Silverstar ran another solid race to take third, staying on well to finish a length and a half behind the principals.

MISSION CONTROL GOES FASTEST

Mission Control produced the standout performance of the quarter-finals, powering to victory in Heat 3 in a rapid 28.91.

The Michael English trained son of Daves Mentor and Highview Mission was always travelling with purpose and moved through the gears rom halfway to take command.

Rallying Billy showed his customary early speed from the fence and set the pace in the opening exchanges but he was closely followed by Droopys Honor. The pair were on the same racing line, however, leaving Droopys Honor with nowhere to go. In contrast, Mission Control steered a middle to wide path to move from fifth at the second turn to third at halfway. He continued to charge forward and was just behind the front two at the third turn.

Maintaining his racing line, he got the better of Droopy Honor before taking over from the pace-setter on the run in. Owen Dooley’s hugely consistent son of Daves Mentor and Highview Mission would race to a two-length victory over Rallying Billy with Droopys Honor another length back in third.

CODY SPRINGS A SURPRISE

Cracking Cody produced the surprise of the round in the final quarter-final, winning at 6-1 as he contained the late charge of Oriental Diamond in a thrilling finish.

The Paul Hennessy trained son of Serene Ace and Flaming Sahara was away fast and quickly established himself in front.

Da Bould Johnjoe was always close enough to challenge and Oriental Diamond also moved into contention, setting up a wonderful conclusion to the contest.Gerry and Mirium Meaney’s Cracking Cody refused to surrender his advantage, however, holding on to score by a head from Oriental Diamond in 29.10. Da Bould Johnjoe was another two lengths away in third.