RECORD BREAKING ACE AS IRISH IMPRESS AT TOWCESTER
Ian Fortune
A total of twelve Irish trained greyhound progressed from the third round of the Star Sports & Orchestrate English Derby at Towcester on Saturday night but the headlines had to go to Epic Ace as he lived up to his name with the most incredible track record breaking display.
There were five Irish trained winners in the eight heats with Ballymac Ralf, Ballymac Duffle, Lennies Eddie and Gaytime Clyde also impressing but none could match the display of Epic Ace as he sent out a loud warning to his rivals.
AN EPIC PERFORMANCE AS ACE SMASHES CLOCK
Epic Ace was at his sensational best in Heat 6.
Producing one of his better starts, it was immediately evident he was going to justify long odds-on and few would have too surprised to see him smash the track record.
Flying to the turn, it was clear he was on his way to a facile success, but this was more than just an impressive front-running display. By halfway he was out of sight and, still, he was relentless.
John Kennedy’s brilliant son of Signet Ace ran right through the line to win by seven and a half lengths. Bubbly Hogan and Texas Jack were chasing shadows in second and third and it really was no surprise when the winning time came up. Not only had he bettered the track record of Ballymac Duffle, he smashed it. Clocking a sensational 28.14, he took a full seventeen spots off the previous best to send out a clear warning to his rivals in the classic.
ALL VERY EASY FOR RALF
Next fastest heat winner was Ballymac Ralf as he too dominated to win Heat 7 in brilliant fashion.
Liam Dowling’s star flew from traps and was in command from the outset. Hackney Corner was soon in chase and did all he could to stay in touch but Ballymac Ralf was ruthless, powering his way to a four and three quarter length victory in a rapid 28.36.
EDDIE PROVIDES IRISH WITH PERFECT START
There was an Irish clean sweep in the opening heat with Lennies Eddie leading home Getup The Boy, Lennies Tank and Swords Style.
The last named was typically professional at boxes but couldn’t clear the turn and was always under threat when Lennies Eddie forced his way up the inner to go to the front as they hit the second bend.
Lennies Tank initially gave chase but Getup The Boy moved with purpose into the third turn to go second between the last two turns. He would stay on well behind Lennes Eddie but Paul Hennessy’s star wasn’t to be picked up.
Lennies Eddie ran right to the line to open his account in the classic, seeing off Getup The Boy and Lennies Tank by a length and three parts and two and a quarter lengths in 28.66. Sadly, Swords Style made his exit in fourth.
CLYDE TOO HOT TO HANDLE
Gaytime Clyde was a good winner for the second heat, making it two from two for the Irish.
A well-backed favourite, he justified odds of 8-13 to emerge an easy winner despite making a moderate start.
Naochra flashed from five to lead up but Gaytime Clyde flew into the bend and drove through the gap on the fence to take over. Once doing so, Gaytime Clyde was always in command. The Graham Holland trained star eased on before seeing off the staying on Goldcash Warrior by three lengths in 28.69.
DUFFLE AMAZES
Ballymac Duffle was the shortest priced favourite of the round after two track record breaking displays in the previous fortnight but he had to pull out all the stops to get up on the line in Heat 4.
That said, in victory, he displayed the most incredible pace and strength to come from what seemed an impossible position, again highlighting his incredible ability. Slick Sentinel flashed from the outside box to make the running for over 499m but it wasn’t enough.
Ballymac Duffle walked from the inside box and found himself last to the turn. What was to follow was extraordinary. Showing wonderful pace, determination and track craft he cut through the pack like a hot knife through butter.
He still had plenty of work to do off the final turn when moving past Droopys Sort to go second, taking a bump in the process, but he flew up the straight to join and head the long-time leader to win by a short head in 28.75.
HEIRESS FINDS A WAY
The first winner for the UK came in Heat 3 with proper Heiress justifying odds-on favouritism, albeit in less impressive fashion than most expected.
Faypoint Harvey broke fastest and led early but Proper Heiress joined him on the turn and squeezed around in front despite taking a bump.
Once entering the back in front, many would have thought Proper Heiress was going to pull clear but he struggled to get daylight on his rivals. Priceless Romeo came through to take second for Paul Hennessy and Donishall Sam third for Graham Holland but it wasn’t until he turned for home that Proper Heiress started to increase his lead.
He eventually hit the line two and a quarter lengths in front in 28.79. The Irish lost Faypoint Harvey, Garfiney Warrior and the luckless Lennies Dynamic in this contest.
NO LUCK FOR IRISH AS SCOOBY DOMINATES
Minutes later, Scooby The Lady made light work of her task in the red-hot fifth heat, flashing from boxes to make every inch.
This was not a good heat for the Irish with the well-fancied Glengar Kane and Glengar Silent making their exit after both missed the kick and found traffic.
Instead, Ballymac Iroko was the only Irish qualifier in third, behind Scooby The Lady and Underground Gold. Scooby The Lady won by three parts of a length in 28.73. Ballymac Iroko was just a length back in third.
SKYE STRIKES WITH DENIRO IN SECOND
After the successes of both Ballymac Duffle and Ballymac Ralf, Liam Dowling was hoping to complete a treble in the final heat where he was doubly represented by Ballymac Deniro and Ballymac Stud.
Strike It Skye had other ideas, however. Salacres Lock Up and Droopys Aladdin went around first and second but Strike It Skye was in the perfect position to strike as they hit the back straight. Ballymac Deniro was just behind her in fourth. The pair advanced on the leaders with Strike It Skye emerging a good winner in 28.57 but Ballymac Deniro also ran with great credit two lengths back in third. It was the end of the road for Ballymac Stud as he could only finish fourth after opening bend crowding.