DERBY SECOND ROUND REVIEW

In comparison to the first round, this weekend’s 16 heats were a less frantic affair. Times were generally slower with no track records and just two hounds breaking 29.00 compared to 10 the previous week.

Swords Rex has shortened by half a point to 9-2 outright favourite. Ballymac Marino is the new second favourite with Clona Duke drifting to 7-1. Seven of the eight Graham Holland entries have made the third round and with Romeo Magico a 12-1 chance to retain his title, the Tipperary based Dorsetarian has three of the top four in the betting.

One of the most remarkable races of the two days involved Clona Duke whose Derby involvement looked to be in serious jeopardy after walking from the boxes.

Clona Duke (T3) trails the field on the run to the bend

Now that is what you call a gap! Panic over as the track record holder (T3) chooses his own path at the first bend.

Needless to say, the 3.98 split record from the heats, was followed more a less notable 4.41, as he duly produced the slowest winning time of all the qualifiers, 29.58. Just 20 minutes later, the unfortunate Ballyhimikin Nell finished a half length fourth clocking 29.36 and was eliminated.

It was a bad round for Patrick Janssens who saw former record holder Lautaro retired to a sofa after sustaining a broken hock. Also eliminated were Slick Sartoga, Conquistador, Deelish Frankie and Slick Sakina. Matt Dartnall’s Barley Panther also failed to complete the course having hit the hare rail in his previous outing.

Winning traps: T1–4 T2–2 T3–6 T4–2 T5–2 T6–0

CLICK ON RESULTS TO SEE VIDEOS

SIGNET GOOFY kicks off the second round heats wth 29.19 Photo: © Steve Nash

INNFIELD BILLY (t1) leads home kennelmate Links Top Gun (t4) to land the heat 2 forecast for Tom Heilbron, and first leg of a notable double on the night Photo: © Steve Nash

ROMEO COMMAND (t3) leads home Burj Khalifa (t6) in 29.05. Photo: © Steve Nash

HURRY UP JORDAN (t5 left of shot) gets up to win by a head from Blackhouse Harry (t1) with early leader Fabulous Azurra (t4 far right) qualifying in third Photo: © Steve Nash

BRINKLEYS MAGIC (t2) beats Romeo Hanzo (t4) to complete a big price double for Tom Heilbron Photo: © Steve Nash

Fastest of Friday night’s 2nd Round heats, reigning champ ROMEO MAGICO (t2 rails) tracks Undulation (t4) around the opening turn before going on to a 28.97 victory. Photo: © Steve Nash

BOYLESPORTS GIFT (t1) leads early to take heat 8 by five lengths in 29.11 for Paul Hennessy Photo: © Steve Nash

FAYPOINT SUSIE (t3) crucially denies Brookside Richie (t4) the rail at the first bend in Saturday’s opening heat 9, before going on to beat Gaytime Nemo (t1) Photo:© Steve Nash

BALLYHIMIKIN LEO is another Graham Holland winner (heat 11, 29.21) leading home Untold Zloty (t6) – in the background Slick Sakina (t5) misses out. Photo:© Steve Nash

So close to a shock in heat 12 as CLONA DUKE (t3 right 2/5 fav) holds 28-1 SAVANA TITAN (t2) by a short head. Photo:© Steve Nash

The signs are there…2022 finalist Savana Beau and Diane Henry – who enjoyed an excellent evening, also seeing Savana Titan and Savana Bailey qualify for the 48 stage – might well be eyeing up another big challenge after a typical strong running victory in heat 14. Photo:© Steve Nash