Well backed Laughil Blake delivers in spades as ‘Night of Stars’ again lives up to its billing

Derby champ Laughil Blake and the immensely talented Droopys Nidge gave further credence, if it were needed, to the ‘Night of Stars’ moniker as they produced stellar performances on Saturday at Shelbourne Park.

All eyes were on Laughil Blake in the 550, and the well-backed odds-on shot delivered in spades. Trained by Michael O’Donovan for Mary and Paul Jennings, the 4-6 favourite was foot-perfect at traps, posting a sizzling 3.31 sectional to lead around from the well-drawn Sidarian Blaze.

Much to the credit of the latter, he put it up to the leader, but Laughil Blake was, arguably, in even better form than when winning our premier classic, and he stayed on strongly to claim the €10,000 winner’s prize by a couple of lengths, in 29.45.

The Robert Gleeson-trained, William Hyslop-owned Droopys Nidge put up an astounding performance to snatch victory from Pennys Deanridge in the 575.

Trying the trip for the first time, the Limerick 550 track record holder broke well but was crowded on the run-up and, for one moment, supporters and connections must have feared his chance was gone.

But, the 6-4 favourite showed determination to match his class as he emerged from the opening bend in second place behind the rank outsider, Pennys Deanridge, who had shot some five clear by this stage.

The leader set a scorching, near-record-setting gallop as he held his advantage all the way to the homestraight.

However, Droopys Nidge has always shown himself to be capable of exceptional performances and, stride by stride, he clawed back the deficit. With a stunning display, worthy of the €10,000 reward, he got to front in the shadow of the post for a half-length victory in 30.89 – just four spots outside the track record.

In the 850, Droopys Oddysey was well-backed all day (11-4 into 6-4) and he landed the punt and a fine pay-day for connections in clear-cut fashion. Trained by Fraser Black for the Diamonds Are Forever Syndicate, he took a flyer from trap one and posted an 18.83 sprint sectional as he raced some five lengths clear passing the judge on the first circuit. TV Trophy winner King Kane was always his closest pursuer and stayed on well, but failed by two lengths to reach the 47.85 winner.

Walshes Hill, fresh from last week’s brilliant 18.49 victory, took the sprint for Des and Marie Gilbert and owner Andrew Wood. Gaining ample compensation for his near miss in the Irish Sprint Cup, he impressed as he quickened to lead around, and he stayed on strongly to beat favourite Jumeirah Hope by a length and a half in 18.64.

Newbridge Oaks winner Leamaneigh Mags took the Bitch 525 for Rachel Wheeler. The race was won at the first turn, where the 3-1 chance had to drive hard to get past the two fast-starting runners, Rockburst Pearl and Champagne Jackie. Once in front, she looked comfortable, and beat Springwell Watsy by three lengths, in 28.64.

Barefoot Agent, trained by Paul Hennessy for Brian and Kathleen Murphy, was another to land a tidy gamble when returning odds of 4-7 (7-4 in the morning) in the 750. Second behind Karlow Master in the early stages, he forged his way to the front in the backstraight, and held the strong finish of Sparta Katy by a length, in 41.98.

There was drama in the open 525, with victory going to Lenson Sanchez, trained by Pat Buckley for Lenny Ponder. Former Puppy Derby runner-up Newlawn Impact set a sizzling gallop and was clear until, unfortunately, appearing to go wrong on the approach to the third turn. That left the chasing Lenson Sanchez, a 12-1 chance, to race home clear of Ballymac Vic, in 28.46.

There was a terrific finish to the 600, which concluded the night’s action, with victory going to UK challenger Droopys Ward, trained by Paul Young. The English Derby runner-up was prominent early but looked out of it when buffeted back to fifth place around the opening bends.

Borneo set a strong tempo but the field tightened up around the final bends, and, with a terrific surge, Droopys Ward got up late to beat Deanridge Pennys by half a length, in 32.68, with General Wolf and long-time leader Borneo close up.

The four quarter-finals of the Comerford Cakes National Puppy Stake took place earlier on the card, and Bubbly Zeus, trained by Ollie Bray, cemented his place at the head of the ante-post list with the fastest return. His mettle was tested at the first bend, but he emerged in front and stretched away for an impressive 28.66 victory.

His litter brother, Swabys Moody, took the fourth heat by a short head, in 29.19, to complete a double for the trainer.

Stop The World trained by Noel Mullins, got up late to take the second heat in 29.04. Tyrur Tommy was a significant absentee from the third heat, in which View The Moon made all the running to win in 28.87, for trainer Pat Buckley.

Comerford Cakes National Puppy Stake semi-finals trap draw and ante-post prices:

Heat One: 1. Droopys Alondra (14-1), 2. Stop The World (6-1), 3. Bubbly Zeus (6-4), 4. Paradise Kane (20-1), 5. View The Moon (12-1), 6. Joyful Dribbler (w, 16-1).

Heat Two: 1. Go Honda Ted (14-1), 2. Droopys Bomber (14-1), 3. Swabys Moody (20-1), 4. Dark Intentions (12-1), 5. Black Rogue (12-1), 6. Daytime Dazzler (w, 50-1).