LAHDEDAH SHINES BRIGHT IN TOWCESTER’S FRIDAY DERBY ACTION
Ian Fortune
The second night of the Star Sports/ TRC English Derby belonged to the defending champion De Lahdedah as he sent out a clear warning to his potential rivals in the coming weeks that he really does mean business.
Sent off the 4-7 favourite for Heat 15, the stunningly fast son of Lenson Bocko was absolutely different class to his rivals, producing a flawless display. Rocketing from the inside box, he was in complete control from the very first stride and proceeded to drive further and further clear for a facile eight and a quarter length success in an incredible 28.50. Clona Curly stayed on to take second.
DYNAMIC FORCES THE PACE
Next fastest was Dynamic Force as he made light work of his task for Paul Hennessy in Heat 18.
In contrast to De Lahdedah, he was drawn on the outside of the track but went up every bit as fast. Breaking with real fluency, he quickly assumed complete control and went on to contain the running on Antigua Kestrel by three and a half lengths in 28.86.
SOLE MIO IMPRESSES
Sole Mio gave Peter Cronin a thrill as he won Heat 17 in good style, showing fine early zip to build a clear advantage before containing the big finish of hot favourite March On Freddie.
Sole Mio was last seen running up the Kirby Memorial and it’s clear he will come on for this outing. Despite tying up a little, he held off the advancing March On Freddie by a half length in 29.02.
MORE WINNERS FOR RAMPANT HOLLAND
Normal service resumed for Graham Holland and his Riverside Kennels operation as recorded a superb double with just two runners.
Faypoint Susie handed them a fourth opening round scorer in Heat 13. Back to her fast-starting ways, the talented daughter of Out Of Range flashed from traps to make every inch in a length and a half victory over Droopys Suprstar in 29.05. Sadly, it wasn’t meant to be for Ballinabola Jim who could never get involved before finishing last.
Faypoint Harvey made it two from two for the team in Heat 15, leading early before rallying to deny long-time leader Romeo Steel. Faypoint Harvey flashed from trap two to lead into the turn but Romeo Steel shot up his inside on the bend.
The new leader could never get far enough ahead and Faypoint Harvey took his opportunity on the run in, outstaying Romeo Steel to win by almost two lengths. It means that after two nights of the opening round, Graham Holland has sent out no fewer than five winners.
MOLLY AND BLUE PROGRESS
Boylesports Blue and Singalong Molly performed very well in Heat 16 to progress.
Singalong Molly had no trial at Towcester and did look a little lost on the bend but paced up well after a tardy start to go second entering the back straight. Once doing so, she closed all the way to the line to finish just a length behind 28.90 winner Keefill Goose.
Boylesports Blue ran a remarkable race to qualify in third. He mistimed the start and was forced to check at the turn as the door was closed. He came from a mile off the pace to pick up Kimore Dancer on the line to take third, just over four and a half lengths behind Singalong Molly.