DERBY ACTION THE HIGHLIGHT OF WONDERFUL KILKENNY CARD

Ian Fortune

There is a wonderful card on offer at Kilkenny this evening.

The ten race card at the St James’ Park venue is largely made up of sweepstake action but the undoubted highlights are the semi-finals of the Lennies Derby.

DIAMOND TO SHINE

Both semi-finals are very competitive and could go right down to the wire.

Second round heat winners Kilgraney Nike and Mission Control take their place in the opening heat where they will be joined by the early paced duo of Rallying Billy and Foyle Milo and the strong running pair of Oriental Diamon and Mystical Ranger.

Rallying Billy is perhaps the most likely pace-setter from an inside draw but he will come under severe pressure from the third turn. Oriental Diamond and Mission Control are perhaps best equipped to come through in the latter stages with much depending on which of the pair gets first run.

Slight preference is for Oriental Diamond but this could go right to the wire.

CODY JUST GTS NOD IN WIDE-OPEN AFFAIR

Just under a half an hour later, the second semi-final is also hugely competitive.

Cracking Cody and Kilgraney Bob will also attempt to follow up on their second round victories, but neither will get things easy.

Indeed, each of the remaining quartet are capable of making a bold bid. Da Bould Johnjoe has an ideal draw on the fence and is rarely out of the frame. Droopys Honor was impressive in the opening round and again ran well last week despite failing to secure racing room.

Kishlawn Kudos isn’t fully firing at present but can finish at speed, while Group Silverstar is long overdue a second victory and has a favourable draw in two. Picking a winner is far from easy but if Cracking Cody gets first run again, he may be hard to pick up.