A GREAT NIGHT FOR THE CROSSFIELD TEAM WITH MATT GOING QUICKEST INTO THE KINGDOM DERBY

Barry Drake

CROSSFIELD MATT, for Brendan O'Shea, went quickest on the clock in the opening round of the Eric Browne Memorial Kingdom Derby on Friday night.

Magical Keith set the early fractions, and he led the winner by a length and a half to halfway. Crossfield Matt, the 6-4 favourite, always looked dangerous in second, and he battled bravely in the closing stages to land the spoils. Three-quarters of a length the difference, in a top class, 28.16.

Solo And Go, trained by Liam Dowling for the Kingdom Palace Syndicate, put on a fantastic performance to win the opening semi-final. Crossfield Dean exploded from traps to lead, and the 4-6 favourite was trying hard to lead along the inside at the opening corner, but that door was quickly closed. Flying down the back to lead before the third corner, Solo And Go just did enough to fend off the brave Crossfield runner. A head the margin, in 28.21.

Ballymac Tibet delivered a strong finish to win the second heat for trainer Liam Dowling and owners the Metinthehalfway Syndicate. Mid division early as Kerogue Lady led from Crossfield Roman. The 6-4 winning favourite hit top gear from halfway, displaying massive speed, the strong running tracker took up the running before the final corner. Pulling away up front, the impressive winner got the better of Crossfield Roman, by two and a half lengths, in 28.31.

Draw For Next Week's Eric Browne Memorial Kingdom Derby Final

1 CROSSFIELD MATT

2 MAGICAL KEITH

3 SOLO AND GO

4 CROSSFIELD ROMAN

5 CROSSFIELD DEAN

6 BALLYMAC TIBET