Maireads Ivy will be looking to add a Ladbrokes Kent Cesarewith to two Boxing Day Marathons and a Kent St.Leger, though none will compare to the bizarre heats on Tuesday night.
The withdrawals of Cuties Bullet (season) and Sniffing Out (lame) had already reduced the field to four runners. At traprise Mays Monalee (2-1) took the lead and was pursued by Sunfire Penny. Maireads Ivy (1-3f) was close up but Cooladerry Lid was well off the pace. The favourite took up the running and was eight clear with a lap to go.
At the ninth bend, Mays Monalee broke down leaving Cooladerry Lid who was ‘half a track’ behind to run on for third place. The winner got home by 23 lengths in a very respectable 56.36 (+40). [Ivy’s two Boxing Day Marathon wins were timed at 56.67 (N), and 56.31 (+100)]. Third placed Cooladerry Lid was beaten so far that she didn’t record a time.
The second semi final was more straightforward with Dorando Marathon winner catching Ian Beauty on the final half lap to win by three in 56.70 (+40).
The final sees Jean Liles and Pete Witchell both double-handed. So what is the situation with Cooladerry Lid and Mays Monalee?
Colin Creighton, assistant to Jean Liles and owner of Cooladerry Lid said: “There is nothing the matter with her. We will get her checked over by George Drake but basically she is just ‘one of them’. If she doesn’t fancy it and they get too far in front, she just downs-tools. If she decides that she fancies it next week, she is capable of giving them a run.”
The news was less optimistic on Mays Monalee. Trainer Martyn Wiley was on his way to the vet’s on Wednesday morning.
He said: “It is a broken hock but we won’t know much more until we have seen the x-rays. I am particularly sad for the owners who are lovely people.”
