Westmead Rossi was beaten – Droopys Who and Bubbly Turbo were eliminated – Lenson Santi went quickest in the first round of the RPGTV Henlow Derby.
Tony Collett’s Lenson Santi (Tullymurry Act-Jaytee Dancer, Dec 13) went to trap four chasing the first hat-trick of his career and dominated from the front. Running off a 3.69 sectional, he dominated from the front as orange jacketed neighbour Bubbly Turbo (7-4f) was crowded on the run-up. Santi was pursued by Stay Loose who got to within three quarters of a length with Quivers Lad outstaying Bubbly Turbo for third. the winner’s time was 27.64. All six heats were run on going rated (-30).
LENSON SANTI (t4) leads early (sect 3.69, fastest of night overall 27.64) from runner up Stay Loose (t1). My Mate Max (t2) also pictured, prominent early but went out. Photo: Steve Nash
The best buckle of the night saw California (Ballymac Vic-Silverhill Tina, Apr 14) hold off a game Thirteen Bags. Mark Wallis’ 6-4f flew out in the night’s fastest sectional (3.68) with Thirteen Bags (T1 4-1) his closest contender. Diane Henry’s Novice Gold Cup winner drew ominously close by the third bend but California held on by a neck with Prince Rock in third. The winner’s time was 27.69.
Clondoty Alex (Razldazl Jayfkay-Castlehill Alex, May 13) was two spots slower at the sectional than his kennelmate California, but was half a length quicker with a flawless performance from trap three. He was marginally led up by Maiden Derby winner Skywalker Archie (3.69) but fluent bend running saw the Wallis runner keep a tighter course and he crossed the line with a length and a half to spare. Savana Terry (T4 6-1) was a distance third. Winning time 27.65.
CLONDOTY ALEX wins heat 4 in 27.65 Photo: Steve Nash
The opening heat saw a disappointing performance from the track’s most consistent performer Westmead Rossi (T4 4-6f). He trapped well (3.69) and led from Liam Og but was not going fluently along the backstraight and was overtaken by Liam Og (Kinloch Brae-Cool Article, Aug 14) at the third bend. The 5-2 chance was in turn tackled by Shaneboy Freddie who failed to get up by a short head. Rossi just held on for third. The winner’s time was 27.92.
LIAM OG (t1) wins the opening heat by a short head from Shaneboy Freddie (t2) WT 27.92 Photo: Steve Nash
Droopys Who was the high profile casualty in heat two. The Kent Derby finalist got no sort of run in a race dominated by three Carol Grasso trained runners though it was the strong finish of Peregrine Falcon (Ace Hi Rumble-Minefield, Mar 13) who prevailed. John Mullins’ 2015 Irish Derby finalist got home by a length and a half in 28.02, Glenpadden Wood was third. The winner’s time was 28.02.
PEREGRINE FALCON (t1) wins in 28.02 from early leader Idle Talker (t4). Photo: Steve Nash
Paul Young sent out half the field in the remaining heat including the forecast. First home was East Anglian Derby finalist Ajlo Legalbeagle (Romeo Recruit-Droopys Alanna, May 14) who beat litter brother Young Romeo by three lengths in 27.88. Shaneboy Style took third.
