ANOTHER BUSY DAY IN TOWCESTER FOR IRISH

Ian Fortune

It’s going to be another busy day for the Irish in Towcester with Graham Holland and Ginger McGee having runners in the many Derby Trial Stakes, while Michael O’Donovan is set to trial a couple ahead of racing, including his Shelbourne Open 600 winner Ryhope Beach.

Swords Rex is the most interesting runner, however. After a five-month layoff, the former Easter Cup and Kirby Memorial champion returns to the scene of his greatest disappointment as he lines out in one of the many Star Sports/ TRC English Derby Tial Stakes. The Graham Holland trained star went so close to English Derby glory last year, going through the prelims to start a red-hot favourite in the decider.

Sadly, luck deserted the brilliant tracker is back for another tilt at the classic. He will be four in July but connections obviously feel he is capable of doing himself justice.

He wears the blue jacket in the top division of the Derby Trial Stakes and faces a very tough test with the Derby favourite King Memphis drawn on his right shoulder in three. Ginger McGee sends out Hawkfield Blue in the same contest and he too will need to be respected from an ideal draw on the fence.

Swords Rex is just one of seven runners for Graham Holland, who also sends out Faypoint Sean, Riverside Pingu, Romeo Kingpin, Swords Fudge and Newinn Port, while his brilliant Easter Cup champion Clonbrien Treaty will also be on the card. Ginger McGee is double handed as he also sends out Hawkfield Abbie.

Aside from Ryhope Beach, Michael O’Donovan will also trial Pennys Lynx, a new recruit to the yard. We’ll have a full breakdown of how the Irish went in the morning.