NO ROOM FOR ERROR IN NEWBRIDGE DERBY

Ian Fortune

Last weekend’s opening round of the Friends of Newbridge A1 Derby only served to highlight just how competitive the valuable competition is. The four second round heats dominate tonight’s card at the Kildare venue and it may not be a happy hunting ground for punters with each heat looking very open.

LEELOO GETS THE NOD

Leeloo set the standard in the opening round with a 30.05 return and that will be enough to see her start favourite in the first of the four heats, although she will again need to be every bit as sharp at trap rise with a few of her rivals also capable of going up fast.

Make Me Queen was dominant in her opening round victory and she will bid to get off the front from trap two. Burgess Bolger is also moves well throughout, while How Ye Taz represents in the in-form kennel of Keith Powell.

Much will depend on the opening exchanges but slight preference is for Leeloo over Make Me Queen.

PADDY TO ARRIVE LATE

The second heat is no less competitive. Grouchos Finn, Lodgefield Mag and Southfield Duke will need to dictate the pace, while Coonough Paddy and Burgess Champ will both be motoring from the second turn. It could get tight at the finish but the nod goes to Coonough Paddy to take charge late for Barry Clancy.

LIGHTS TO SHINE BRIGHT

Neon Lights will again bid to come from off the pace to land the spoils in Heat 3 but he could be vulnerable to one getting loose of the front. None of his rivals went overly fast in the opening round, however, and one suspects Neon Lights can come through the pack to take charge ion the closing stages.

A REAL CONUNDRUM

The final heat is perhaps the most intriguing of the four. Genuine claims can be made for most of the runners. Southfield King has a kind draw on the fence and will bid to set a strong gallop, but he will need to contain Da Quiet Syd into the turn.

If either are to win, they will need to set the pace to the third turn as a couple of their rivals will be finishing fast. Kennel companions Catunda Ciaran and Harlequin James both impressed for Scott Phelan last week and seem certain to have a big say in the outcome.

Catunda Ciaran is likely to be popular in the ring but there was something about the opening round victory of Harlequin James that would suggest he can go even faster. The son of Confident Rankin is a tentative choice to emerge on top.