FRIDAY night was expected to produce the best of the action and so it proved. As in the first round, the Irish were firmly to the fore and came away with a 5-3 majority of winners.

Star of the night, in terms of the clock, was Superfast Gorden who stepped up four lengths on his first round run to win in 28.71. However there were only seven spots between the four fastest heat winners.

Visually, the three most impressive winners included the pair with the quickest sectionals, the golden oldies Swords Rex and The Other Kobe with 3.97 splits. Completing the cast for a Riverside Kennels hosting of Last of the Summer Wine was defending champ Gaytime Nemo with a 28.76 run.

In terms of overall performances, the Dowling kennel can only have been thrilled with the performance of De Lahdedah who suffered the sort of trouble that might once have suggested difficulties to qualify. He did better than that – and some – to win in 28.91.

There was another mixed night for the KSS Syndicate with King Memphis winning – albeit in slightly less flambuoyant style than usual. King Combs ran on to qualify as did Havana Top Note though Queen Dusty and the disappointing King Capaldi went out.

The MWD Partnership were less dominant than at Romford on the same night though Newinn Syd was clinically efficient while Coolio Gold kept his unbeaten tag with a replica 29.14 run from the first round.

SATURDAY night’s card offered few big name clashes than the previous night’s racing. It nevertheless produced its own share of surprises along with the quickest run of the entire round.

Had Crafty Shivoo been running graded, trainer Mark Wallis might have had questions to answer after she found 72 spots in a week. In his defence, he might call witnesses who claim there was a short hare in the previous round.

Equally likely – he might not give a damn having seen the Empress Stakes winner become the fastest female over course and distance by going to within one spot of the jointly held track record in 28.59.

Although the MWD Partnership enjoyed a double with Whyaye Man, it was another good night for the Irish who sent out another four winners.

Continuing the theme of the previous night,  the ‘old fellas’ were at it again with veteran Ballinabola Ed reminding punters of his 2022 form; the first leg of a Buckley double completed by the night’s second quickest winner, Antigua Hawk.

Liam Dowling’s Ballymac Finn reached last year’s semis without winning a heat but will have to step up on his 28.99 to keep progressing. This was a heat with a dead heat for third. Savana Jackpot drew the successful lot with Jim By Two standing by as reserve.

Unfortunately Mr Chelm’s third attempt at the event is over. The 2022 final favourite, who went out in the first round last year, finished down the field behind one of the three 29+ second winners, kennelmate, Azurite.

Patrick Janssens’ Edwards held off the hotpot Boylesports Bob by a short head, a victory that his trainer would probably have traded to see Barntick Bear progress from heat 10. He hit the rail and was eliminated alongside the Irish Laurels winner High Trend.

There was no Miracle end to the night either as Janssens’ favourite was reeled in by Never Say No.

THIRD ROUND DRAW

The pick of the third round qualifers would appear to be a toss up between heat six (Crafty Shivoo, Gaytime Nemo, De Lahdedah) and heat seven (King Memphis, Swords Rex, Newinn Syd). But then, The Other Kobe v Clonbrien Treaty makes a pretty good appetiser.

The last 48. Now its getting serious!