It should be a big night for the Irish with six of the eight heats fancied to go to the raiders which include the joint ante post favourites Swords Rex and Clona Duke who will both start at odds-on for their heats.
The UK challenge is headed by Brookside Richie who will start as favourite for the opening heat.
Latest betting: 7-4 Brookside Richie, 3-1 Gaytime Nemo, 5-1 Faypoint Susie, 5-1 Distant Podge, 14-1 Thunder Black, 25-1 Who Needs Wings
The draw swings the opening heat of Saturday firmly in favour of Graham Holland’s GAYTIME NEMO. There is plenty of early in the race but Nemo has a nice draw on the rail which should see him turning in a very handy position. Whoever leads and it’s not totally inconceivable that he could himself will be looking over their shoulders to see where he is as he will be mowing them down as they turn for home. Brookside Richie is running out of his skin at present and Jimmy Fenwick’s dog looks to main danger should he once again ping out and get clear.
Latest betting: 1-2 Swords Rex, 5-1 Beepers Lariat, 8-1 Jet Stream Wind, 10-1 Bellmore Cricket, 25-1 Chelms Greatest, 33-1 Broadstrand Noah
SWORDS REX might have lost his track record around here last weekend (for now at least) but that will not concern Graham Holland and his team one bit. He was once again superb in landing his first-round heat and showed why he’s very much a leading contender for outright honours. Rex will once again very much take the beating but for those looking to add a little bit of juice to their returns playing Jack Kennelly’s first round winner Beepers Lariat to chase him home in second and fill the forecast spot wouldn’t be the worst bet in the world.
Latest betting: 3-1 Magical Kyle, Untold Zloty, 7-2 Slick Sakina, 11-2 Ballyhimikin Leo, 6-1 Barley Panther, 20-1 Aero Aran
Graham Holland’s BALLYHIMIKIN LEO quietly impressed behind Droopys Google last week and may well find himself better off draw wise now that Slick Sakina is on his outside. If Magical Kyle gets off to a good start then Leo could have a lovely pitch from which to work and you would have to fancy him to come through powerfully in the latter stages to take the spoils. Sakina is much better than last week’s showing and from this draw she could get clear and show it. Untold Zloty was impressive in winning last week’s first round heat he’s just reached 2-year-old but is lightly raced and still has plenty of improvement in the locker.
Latest betting: 4-7 Clona Duke, 5-2 Ballymac Finn, 10-1 Mustang Sam, 25-1 Romeo Mission, 33-1 You Two, 40-1 Savana Titan,
Liam Dowling’s BALLYMAC FINN hasn’t been at his best around here yet but he’s a hugely pacey sort who will be a danger to all when it does click. From a running position trap 1 isn’t ideal but if he does trap and now that he’s been around a couple of times you would hope he will then he is going to be an extremely tough dog to get across as they head to the bend. He can do just that and once around in front can set about his business. Clona Duke is the obvious danger he was again sensational in setting a new track record last week and isn’t opposed lightly but he might just find Finn in his way this week.
Latest betting: 5-4 Mcneil, 5-2Ballyhimikin Mel, 6-1 Hopes Woofwoof, 8-1 Mystical Mario, 14-1 Whitings New Era, 22-1 Newinn Ranger
MCNEILL was probably the biggest eye catcher of the whole of the first round with a stunning performance in defeat. He received much in the way of buffeting rounding the first two bends but once in the clear along the back straight set about reducing the deficit in behind the Mustang Jet and Havana Bale Out. He closed it down from many lengths back to just half a length and a short head before pulling clear to the pick-up. Now admittedly Jet has since been pulled out lame so the distance covered late on that rival may have flattered slightly but Bale Out is no mug and McNeil made her look almost pedestrian late. Anything like a clear and McNeil wins this and wins it well but a notable mention is given to Barry Denby’s Ballyhimikin Mel who kept up the kennels rich vein of form to win superbly from off the pace in a top-class time last week.
Latest betting: 9-4 Goldies Perryman, 3-1 Jacktavern Bella, 5-1 Bens Lad, 7-1 Savana Beau, 10-1 Sogna In Grande, 14-1 Famous Eight
This race could very well be set up nicely for one of the stronger runners to come through late and though that would well suit last year’s finalist Savana Beau it would also very much play into the hands of Graham Holland’s JACKTAVERN BELLA. The early paced duo of Goldies Perryman and Bens Lad are likely to set a ferocious pace upfront and that will suit Bella ideally who can claim the pair on the run for home.
Latest betting: 11-4 Ballymac Joey, 3-1 Havana Bale Out, 4-1 Stevie Knows, 5-1 Cochise, Savana Hero, 125-1 Deanridge Anton
Liam Dowling’s BALLYMAC JOEY might not have come over to England as one of his main hopes of landing a first English Derby but there was plenty to like about last week’s heat victory. Brave at the bend in against good class opposition he ran the bend with pleasing authority. Once in front he took a little while to warm to his task but began to pull clear on the run in. He can get around in front once again and follow up. Richard Rees Cochise would rate a big danger to the selection if breaking in similar fashion to last week but he’s far from certain to trap in quite the same fashion.
The final race of the second round and BALLYMAC MARINO who was simply awesome for Liam Dowling in a wide margin first round heat win can follow up. Nicely drawn he should soon be setting the fractions upfront in another race against the clock.
Latest betting: 8-15 Ballymac Marino, 3-1 Ballymac John, 6-1 Forest Icon, 20-1 Kaluki, 25-1 Chasing Tommytee, Savana Bailey
