DE GANDER PEN STORMS TO VICTORY IN THE KINGDOM

Barry Drake

DE GANDER PEN set the standard in the opening round of the John & Mary Killeacle Dowling Memorial in the Kingdom on Friday night.

Trained by Pat Buckley for owners the Ore-Yont-Syndicate, the 1-2 favourite delivered a paw-perfect display to clock a wonderful 30.99. In front early, the impressive winner displayed huge pace throughout as he came home alone. A top-class winning display.

Local trainer Donal O'Mahony enjoyed a good night. Heat two went the way of MILLRIDGE LILY. The 2-1 second favourite showed plenty of early pace and she kept on well to beat Saleen Ollie, by three-quarters of a length, in 31.37.

In the following heat, it was a Millridge double after MILLRIDGE BRYCE returned to winning ways. Tracking well around the opening corners, the 4-6 favourite ran on strongly to beat Loher Ron, by a length, in 31.47.

It was three on the night for the Millridge team after MILLRIDGE ZARA came home in front in the fifth heat. Hitting the front at the second corner, the 6-4 joint favourite pulled away to beat Saleen Pearl, by four lengths, in 31.23.

SIGN ON ROCKET landed the opening heat for John and Gerard Slattery. Prominent throughout, the 6-1 outsider pulled out all the stops in the closing stages to fend off Disco Pants, by a neck, in 31.39.