Sliabh Liag clocked the fastest time in the second round of the Irish Laurels over 525 yards at Cork on Saturday.

Karol Ramsbottom’s bitch, who was runner-up in last year’s Juvenile Derby, flew out of the boxes and went clear. She eventually held the challenge of Doona Buck by a length and a half in 28.01sec.

Easter Cup winner Clona Blaze came back to top form in heat five. Graham Holland’s dog flew out and made all to hold kennelmate Newinn Lester by two and a half lengths in 28.09sec. 2018 Irish Derby winner Ballyanne Sim was third.

Produce Stakes winner Grangeview Ten was beaten at odds of 1-3 in the first qualifier. The race went to Kieran Lynch’s Comrades who led and came again to beat him by a short head in 28.48sec.
Lynch had a double with defending champion Rockybay Foley who led off the second turn only to fade on the run-in and eventually dead-heat with Clona Dream in 28.44sec.

Arclight Rumble came from last to first in the second qualifier to deny Fainne Chiarrai by a neck in 28.35sec.

Mossie O’Connor’s Joey I Said was soon clear in heat four to run out a three length winner over Lebudgiesmuggler in 28.43sec.

Draw for third round:

First semi:
1 Moonbeg Bakayoko
2 Doona Buck
3 Scart Jim
4 Clona Dream
5 Arclight Rumble
6 Newinn Lester

Second semi:
1 Coolykereen Hero
2 Grangeview Ten
3 Cherkezova
4 Slaibh Liag
5 Lebudgiesmuggler
6 Clona Blaze

Third semi:
1 Ballyanne Sim
2 Rockybay Foley
3 Could Be King
4 Fainne Chiarrai
5 Coconut Comrades
6 Joey I Said