MORE BIG PERFORMANCES EXPECTED IN THE A1 KASKO DERBY

Barry Drake

The opening round of the €6,000 to the winner A1 Kasko Derby produced some fantastic racing at Curraheen Park last Saturday night and the second round heats are sure to deliver more top-class performances tonight.

In the second heat, Ballycowen Jay, trained by Dean Harpur for Debbie Doyle, can make the most of a fantastic draw out wide. A 28.77 winner last week, the selection has lovely early pace and he can slip around the outside in front. In doing so, back-to-back wins are on the card. Timmys Bucks, for Tim and Olive Cliffe and Sporting Mocha, for trainer Kieran Lynch, should also be in the mix. 

Romeo Falco, trained by Graham Holland for David Firmager, will be expected to make it back-to-back winning performances in the third heat. A 28.56 winning in the opening round, another front-running winning effort is on the cards.

In the fourth heat, recent Cork Cup winner Bambis Lady made her return to winning ways last week. In the care of Breda Boyle and Patrick Sheehy, the selection clocked 28.77 on that occasion and from the rails pitch, she can improve on that time and make it two straight wins. Churchtown Syd, trained by Denis Fitzgerald for Mick Crotty, set the standard in the first round, winning in 28.52 and the powerful performer should be in the mix. Burgess Champ, for Sheila Spillane and JJ Fennelly, was also a winner last time, posting 28.65 and he can't be ruled out.

The opening heat is wide open with a narrow vote going to the Kieran Lynch-trained Move To Soon who has the best of the draw along the inside of the track. That was a good effort in defeat last week and he should make a bold bid from the front.