Ballymac Cooper looked back to his best in the second round of the Dublin Coach Juvenile Derby over 525 yards at Shelbourne Park on Friday.
Liam Dowling’s runner forged clear on the run-up in the opening qualifier and came home ten lengths clear of Clonbrien Flash in 28.07sec, the fastest time of the competition.
The time was equalled in the second heat by Skywalker Canny. Michael O’Donovan’s runner forced his way to the front on the opening turn and came home four lengths in front of Glenlara Ace in 28.07sec.
Graham Holland, who saw Clonbrien Flash qualify for the next round earlier, had success with Knocknarea Run in the third qualifier.
The son of Swift Hoffman made all the running to deny Deanridge Sirius by a length in 28.18sec.
Broadstrand Bono lowed the colours of the favourite Droopys Hutch in the last eliminator. John Linehan’s runner led off the penultimate turn to hold the late challenge of the favourite by three quarters of a length in 28.13sec.
Draw for the semi-finals:
First semi:
1 Ballymac Wisdom
2 Go On Jacko
3 Skywalker Canny
4 Glenlara Ace
5 Clonbrien Flash
6 Droopys Hunch
Second semi:
1 Knocknarea Run
2 Deanridge Sirius
3 Jaytee Storm
4 Broadstrand Bono
5 Newline Darn Hot
6 Ballymac Cooper
