Leeview Jet hits top form ahead of Laurels decider

TOMMY Delaney’s Leeview Jet ensured there would be local representation in next weekend’s Classic climax when he produced his best performance of the year to run home a most impressive winner in Saturday’s first Pat Hennerty Sales Irish Laurels semi-final at Curraheen Park.

The national record holder, trained by Graham Holland, flew from boxes and safely made his way to the middle of the track. With a clear advantage on the run-up, he was able to dictate matters throughout, comfortably holding the effort of Beaming Dilemma by a couple of lengths, in 28.32, with Varra Captain more than eight lengths further back in third.

Favourite Rockchase Bullet turned in a share of third place but at the third bend, when it looked as though he was about to make his bid for qualification, he was very badly baulked and, consequently, trailed home last.

It’s been life-long dream of owner Tommy Delaney to have a dog in the Laurels final and he was clearly delighted to see his prolific tracker earn his place weekend’s decider: “He was outstanding. That was his first time breaking out of the new boxes,” said Delaney. “That would be his usual style but he hadn’t been doing it lately. Hopefully he’s coming into form at the right time.

“This is going to be his sixth major final. He won the Tipperary Cup (2010), the Tennents Gold Cup (2010) and the Larry Dunne Open 525, and was third in the Waterford Masters and in the Northern Derby.”

And there was further reason for optimism for the Ballincollig native when the draw was made.

“I couldn’t be happier with the draw — he loves the middle,” added Delaney. “Obviously Deerfield Music is after getting his draw in trap one, but they’re six top class dogs and whatever will happen on the night will happen. It’s just fantastic to have a dog in the final.”

There was a real shock in the second semi-final when the immensely fast St Louis Charlie put it all together to earn a thoroughly deserved trap-to-line success.

Jerry Griffin’s dog had impressed with his finishing speed in previous rounds but off a level break this time he accelerated to take a narrow lead into the first turn.

Razldazl Rioga turned in second place and he moved to challenge the leader as they raced into the third corner. However, it was as this point that St Louis Charlie’s stamina began to show and he stretched away in great style to score by three lengths from the running-on Deerfield Music in 28.44, with Razldazl Rioga a neck further back in third.

The gaps just never opened for favourite Dream Walker, who endured a frustrating run throughout and yet was beaten only four and a half lengths in fifth spot.

There was disappointing news in the aftermath of the semi-finals when it was revealed that St Louis Charlie sustained quite a serious cut which required stitches, meaning he will be unable to line up in Saturday’s final and he will be out of all action for a month.