LUCIUS FASTEST IN NEWBRIDGE DERBY

Ian Fortune

Prince Lucius continued his unbeaten passage through the Friends of Newbridge A1 Derby with a superb semi-final display on Friday evening.

Staying on strongly to lead late he set the standard with the opening heat going to Lightfoot Impact who displayed wonderful tracking ability to find himself in front down the back straight.

LIGHTFOOT MAKES AN IMPACT

Lightfoot Impact was slowly into stride by his usual standards and was only fifth into the turn behind All About Magic, the fast-starting Russmur Special, Boderan Tiger and Mendelson. Victory seemed highly unlikely but the complexion of the race changed on the bend.

All About Magic flew into the turn to hold a narrow lead over Russmur Special but the latter edged off the fence ever so slightly. It left a gap for Lightfoot Impact to drive through, while also holding up All About Magic.

Moving to the front on the second turn, Lightfoot Impact quickly built a race-winning advantage. Boderan Tiger gave chase passing halfway but Mendelson came with a big charge into the third turn to move second. He in turn failed to contain the fast-finishing Al About Magic, who came through late to take the runners-up spot.

Lightfoot Impact was not for catching, however. Trained by Dylan Brennan for Tony Brennan, the son of Droopys Noah and Bredas Cindy came home two and a half lengths to the good in 30.34.

LUCIUS TOO STRONG

Prince Lucius was 4-7 to come out on top in the second heat and he was always close enough to keep his supporters happy.

Despite a couple of small bumps around the corner, the Ollie Bray trained son of Crash and Limini was challenging for second into the back straight behind Only A Number.

Once getting the better of Russmur Shane to move second on his own at the third turn, Prince Lucius was always going to pick up the pace-setter. Owned by the BMS Syndicate, Prince Lucius flew up the home straight to take over for a length and a half success in 29.92. Russmur Shane was the same distance away in third.