ACE LEADS THE WAY FOR IRELAND IN TOWCESTER
Ian Fortune
Three of Friday’s opening session of second round heats in the Star Sports English Greyhound Derby were won by Irish trained trackers with John Kennedy’s Epic Ace landing the headlines with a record equalling 28.37 return in Heat 2.
The other Irish trained winners on the night were the Liam Dowling trained duo of Ballymac Ralf and Ballymac Stud, although many more of the raiding party ran extremely well in defeat including Ballymac Deniro and Lennies Eddie.
A total of 11 Irish trained greyhounds took their chance on the night with 10 of them progressing, the only exception being Gaytime Joachim as he finished only fifth in Heat 7.
RECORD EQUALLING ACE
Epic Ace was the first Irish trained winner of the night, showing fine early speed after a moderate start to lead before the turn.
It was all very much a procession thereafter with John Kennedy’s hugely talented son of Signet Ace and Free From Desire racing to a facile eight and a half length victory over Droopys Sort in 28.37.
In victory, he became the second member of his litter to hold the 500m track record with his brother Lennies Desire holding the honour for almost a year until it was broken last weekend.
RALF TOO STRONG FOR GREEN
There was an Irish 1-2 in Heat 4 with Ballymac Ralf outpointing Tote Gold Cup winner Coloursaregreen.
Both were sharp at trap rise with Coloursaregreen leading to the turn only to leave enough room for Ballymac Ralf to join and head him at the second turn.
Once going to the front, Ballymac Ralf drew right away to win by almost four lengths (3.75l) in 28.47. The pair were clear of 9-4 favourite Slick Sentinel in third.
STUD LEADS HOME DYNAMIC
The final Irish trained winner on the card was Ballymac Stud, a kennel companion to Ralf, as he dominated in Heat 6.
Lennies Dynamic disputed the lead to the bend only to allow 1-2 favourite Ballymac Stud assert on the turn, although the former ran well in defeat to ensure another first two finish for Ireland.
Taking over on the bend, Ballymac Stud opened up by three lengths and held on to see off the persistent Lennies Dynamic by a length and a half in 28.68. Opened bend traffic ended the Derby challenge of Gaytime Joachim as he eventually finished fifth.
DENIRO PERFORMS WELL BEHIND HEIRESS
Ballymac Deniro produced a superb display in the opening heat of the round, chasing home Proper Heiress.
This contest was effectively over from the opening yards as Proper Heiress broke faster than his rival but Ballymac Deniro flew into the bend to challenge before pushing his rival throughout.
Proper Heiress would stay on just a fraction better than Ballymac Deniro to win by a length and three quarters in a rapid 28.42, but the runner-up displayed enough in defeat to suggest he is a lading fancy for Derby glory.
TANK SAFELY THROUGH
Lennies Tank failed to get off the front in Heat 5 with Droopys Aladdin going up fast on his inner, forcing the Paul Hennessy trained star to steer a middle to wide path but he ran well to progress in third.
The powerful Droopys Graph got up the inside of Lennies Tank to take second but the latter safely progresses in third, just two lengths behind Droopys Aladdin.
SAM IN THIRD
Donishall Sam also made it safely through in Heat 6’
Overcoming early crowding to finish four lengths and three parts of a length behind Salacres Lock Up and Zenith Jimbombom.
EDDIE AND SILENT INTO THIRD ROUND
Lennies Eddie and Glengar Silent made it through in the final heat of the session.
Finishing second and third to Underground Gold. Both greyhound actually ran very well in defeat with Lennies Eddie having to ride a couple of bumps on the turn before pressing the winner throughout.
Glengar Silent was last in the early yards after a slow start but powered home to take third. Lennies Eddie was just two lengths behind Underground Gold, who stopped the clock in 28.96, while Glengar Silent finished just three parts of a length further back.