Patchys Kerry’s four race unbeaten sequence came to an end on Tuesday night 
with defeat in the opening (480m) round of the Pinpoint Recruitment Three Steps To Victory, though the pursuit of a second category one event goes on.
Mark Wallis’ brilliant black was short headed by the front running Catrigg Croft (Vans Escalade-Cortaflex Purity, Jul 12). John Sharp’s Croft (T3 7-1) led up (3.24) from the 4-6f (T4) in a relatively trouble free race. Kerry took closer order going into the third bend but then stalled her challenge until coming off the last bend. Despite a strong late challenge Croft held on by a brindle short head in 27.75 (all heats +20). Kerry kennelmate Droopys Achieve (T5 7-1) was third.
The fastest time of the night was credited to the red jacketed Mustang Chick (Taylors Sky-Jodu Fame, Jun 13) in heat five. Carol Weatherall’s evens favourite disputed the early lead with Ribble Aon (T5 5-2) but looked a class apart from the second bend onwards, eventually winning by a comfortable three and three quarters lengths in 27.57. Borna Mindy (T2 5-1) was a further length and a quarter back in third
Roxholme Hottie (Razldazl Jayfkay-Memphis Peach, Sep 13) could not have been more impressive for Hayley Keightley despite a poor break. The white jacketed 11-8 chance was led up by Coolavanny Lass (T4 8-1) but was travelling best from the second bend onwards and won by a nod under six lengths from Lowgate Rock (T2 14-1) with Lass a neck back in third.
The three male heat winners were separated by just two spots. Marginally quickest was Thirteen Bags (Hondo Black-Quarterland Hope, Nov 12) who won clocked 27.88 in the final heat where favourite Pinpoint Boom looked desperately unlucky. Diane Henry’s white jacketed 7-1 chance Thirteen Bags was led up by Droopys Gig (T1 9-2). Boom (T2 4-5f) appeared ‘plotted up’ in third place off the second bend but attempted an overtake through moving traffic and was forced to check before being badly hampered. It was left to Viking Jack (T5 11-2) and Knockbawn Caviar (T4 16-1) to take the remaining two qualifying places – one and three quarters and a half.
The opening heat went to Coolboy Blitz (Vans Escalade-Swift Zest, Dec 12). Russ Warren’s brindle (T5 11-4) gave 7-4 favourite Satin Mark (T2) a start and a half length beating in 27.89. Fabulous Milan (T6 8-1) ran on for third.
Clonkeen Snowy (Slip The Lark-Jodys Revenge, Jun 12) took full advantage of middle crowding to push his way to victory in the second heat. John Sharp’s 6-1 chance was led up by Clever Jamie (T5 4-1) but took the initiative at the first bend and was never headed. In the meantime Some Turbo (T2 7-1), Glenpadden Ace (T3 5-2) and La Maqina (T4 5-4f) jostled each other out of contention. Finish 1-5-3. The winning time was 27.89 and the distances, three quarters and two.
