FIVE IRISH WINNERS AS SOLE MIO GOES FASTEST AT TOWCESTER
Ian Fortune
The Star Sports/ TRC English Greyhound Derby field was halved once again at Towcester on Saturday night with the Irish again baring their teeth with five of the eight heat winners trained on these shores, while four of those winners were chased home by one of their compatriots.
Race of the night in terms of drama was the clash of Bockos Diamond and Cheap Sandwiches with the pair separated by a just a short head on the line as the former confirmed Irish Derby form with his kennel companion, but honour of going fastest went to the Peter Cronin trained Sole Mio as he took the final heat in superb fashion. Bubbly Charger, defending champion De Lahdedah and Singalong Molly completed the Irish trained five-timer.
BUBBLY CHARGES HOME TO GET BALL ROLLING
There was an Irish trained one-two in Heat 2 as Bubbly Charger lowered the colours of Bombay Pat, although both impressed.
Bubbly Charger was paw-perfect in the second round and it was a similar scenario on this occasion with the Brendan Matthews trained star quickly moving to the head of affairs.
In contrast, Bombay Pat did what he has a tendency to do, leaving himself with plenty to do after a slow start. He raced up the outside of the track to move second on the turn but could never get back on terms despite closing into the third turn.
Bubbly Charger kept on finding out front and would go on to see off his compatriot by three parts of a length in 28.79.
LAHDEDAH STILL GOING STRONG
Defending champion De Lahdedah looked as good as ever in the very next heat. His display was further evidence that he has all the qualities to retain his crown if things go his way.
In what was a red-hot affair, Liam Dowling’s star flashed from three to set the pace into the turn, although Ballinabola Joe was soon challenging despite making a tardy start.
Ballinabola Joe flew into the bend to challenge his compatriot down the back straight but the pair clashed into the third turn. It would effectively end the chances of Ballinabola Joe, who was shuffled back before finding traffic on the final turn.
De Lahdedah overcame the bumping to dictate on the home turn before staying on well to emerge a ready three and a quarter length scorer over No Better Feelin in 28.83. March On Freddie was third. Sadly, both the other Irish trained runners Barefoot On Fire and Ballinabola Joe made their exit.
DIAMOND AND SANDWICHES RENEW RIVALRY
Next it was the turn of Bockos Diamond in Heat 4.
This would develop into an absolutely enthralling affair with Bockos Diamond having to perform a little magic to account for his Kennelmate Cheap Sandwiches. The second named of the Graham Holland trained duo was fluent at traps and held a narrow lead in the early yards.
In contrast, Bockos Diamond seemed to miss a stride as he hit the sand and was forced to quickly move through the gears. Somehow, he managed to squeeze up the inside of Cheap Sandwiches to assert on the corner.
Once doing so, the pair quickly left their rivals chasing shadows. The big two continued to dominate with Bockos Diamond going on to lead by two lengths into the third turn. It was at this point that Cheap Sandwiches began to close in second.
Bockos Diamond was still a length and a half to the good as they turned for home but Cheap Sandwiches was relentless in his pursuit. Inside the final fifty yards he made a big charge to almost join Bockos Diamond on the line. The judge was called in to declare Bockos Diamond a short head winner in 28.84. It was a massive run by both the winner and runner-up. Sadly, Jaytee Craze would exit the competition. He was in fourth into the turn and the perfect position to qualify only to meet bad traffic.
MAGIC MOLLY THE TOP BITCH
Ireland had to wait for another two heats to record their fourth winner on the card with Singalong Molly showing great pace and determination to run down Faypoint Harvey.
The Irish duo really did dominate proceedings with Faypoint Harvey setting a strong gallop after a flying start from the inside of the track, while Singalong Molly was third into the turn.
She would quickly move past Cooliogold on the second turn before setting her sights on Faypoint Harvey. There was three lengths between the pair at this point but the Pat Buckley trained Singalong Molly was soon closing the gap. By the third turn, just a length separated the pair with Singalong Molly switching to the middle of the track to challenge.
Side by side entering the home straight, Singalong Molly dug in to get the better of her rival by a half length in 28.86. In victory, Singalong Molly became the sole bitch to enter the quarter final draw.
SOLE MIO GOES FASTEST
Sole Mio and Dynamic Force ended the evening in style for the Irish, racing clear of the remainder as the former posted a fastest of the round 28.64.
Churchfield Syd was sent to traps the 15-8 favourite for the home team but his fate was sealed with Sole Mio and Dynamic Force both came away racing to get up his inner.
Sole Mio displayed fine early speed to get first run but was forced to pull out all the stops by Dynamic Force. Dynamic Force pushed him hard throughout but Sole Mio kept finding to eventually score by three parts of a length.
DIEGO A GOOD SECOND
Hello Diego was Ireland’s other qualifier when storming home to finish a close second to warm favourite Droopys Trade in Heat 6.
Hello Diego went up a little faster than he had done in the previous rounds and moved second as they hit the back straight. Despite closing all the way to the line, he would fail by just a short head.
NO LUCK FOR TIBET AND SUSIE
Earlier on the card, Ballymac Tibet and Faypoint Susie made their exit in Heat 5.
Neither carried much luck in a race won by Droopy Aladdin.