We have five through to the semi finals of the Larry O’Rourke sponsored Produce Stakes at Clonmel on Friday, split three and two.
There are six inside runners in the first semi final and ours are drawn four, five and six. I understand that Newinn Session is the new ante post favourite and with six wins from six and a 28.15 run in the last round, it looks well merited.
All our three are middle to rail, rather than pure railers, so I am not too bothered by the draw. It is what it is. The two is a very quick trapper and fast into his stride, though I would hope our trio would be up with him by the bend and we will take our chance. But I am very happy with the form of Romeo Speedy and Doolin Duke and would hope they will both get reasonably clear runs.
As far as the second semi is concerned, I could ask for any better in all honesty. Rathcoole Fox is ideally drawn in red and should get a clear run on the rails. Newinn Taylor is still unbeaten after 10 races and the only wide seed from trap six. He didn’t trap in the last round but had enough early pace to get clear and is staying on better as he gets fitter. The form is there for everyone to see.
We have two in the Boylesports Champion Stakes Final on Saturday night and what a race it should be; it could easily be an Irish Derby Final.
There are three middle seeds in the final and we have drawn the four and five with Ballyhimikin Jet and Lenson Bocko.
I am absolutely delighted with the form of both dogs but the semi final form shows that there is very little between all six. I would expect Pestana to lead again, though he doesn’t quite see out the trip. I would hope that our two could be on his shoulder at the bend.
I think Bocko is the most open to improvement among the six as he has only had one race back, but there is so little between him and Jet who used to be a bit ‘hit and miss’ in his trapping but has definitely become more consistent. The way I see it, if Bocko was second to Pestana off the second bend, I would expect him to get past. But if found himself behind Jet, I’m not convinced that he could.