NARROW VOTE GOES TO ARCHY IN A1 KASKO DERBY DECIDER

Barry Drake

The €6,000 to the winner A1 Kasko Derby Final is the feature race at Curraheen Park on Saturday night.

In what looks like a wide-open decider, a narrow vote goes to Ballycowen Archy for Debbie Doyle and Dean Harpur. 

A most impressive winner in the opening round when clocking 28.47, he was below that form last week, after a much slower start. He's drawn well in trap two, and there's no doubt he will need to produce his quickest start. In doing so, he should go very close.

Cill Dubh Cothal, trained by Michael Donnelly for owner Michael Bergin, set the standard last week, clocking a top-class 28.27. He looks an outstanding prospect after a couple of eye-catching performances in top puppy company in Kilkenny. The best is yet to come; however, he has a tricky-looking draw, out in five. Another explosive start will be needed to slip around in front. In saying that, he looks capable and another big run is on the cards.

Of the others, Patterdale Timmy is not without a chance for Sally Mounsey. He's got a big engine, and if he puts his best foot forward, he's a real player. Ivo is drawn well along the inside of the track, and he comes in here in great form for John O'Connor.

The sextet is made up of Happy Me, for trainer Shane Murphy, and Air Hostess, for Brian Loughnane. The first-named ran well in the Lee Strand and needs to return to that form, while Air Hostess will need plenty of luck from the wide outside.

In race six, Portrush Ben lands the nod. Trained by Pat Kiely for owner Adrian McGarry, the selection brings strong form to the race, and he impressed around course and distance two runs ago, beating Fahee Phantom in 17.62. He backed that up with another fine run last time out, and he rates banker material on the night.

In the fifth race, Shutinthedark is the pick for trainer Kieran Lynch and owners Eoin Ivers and Fintan Lawlor. A good second on his most recent outing, this rates a drop in class and he is expected to take advantage by returning to winning ways.

€4,000 A3 GALLOPING STAKE

The semi-finals of the €4,000 A3 Galloping Stake is another big attraction on the card.

Bushpark Lennie, who is trained by Graham Holland for the Bushpark Family Syndicate, caught the eye in the opening round, winning in 28.53, and he should be hard to beat in the opening heat.

In the second semi-final, Epic Jack should go close for John Kennedy Jnr. He will need a better start to reverse form with the Graham Holland-trained Knockglass Joe; however, he looks capable.