Laurels double for Dowling
The bitch broke smartly from trap five to lead Kilkenny Baby into the turn and was never in any danger afterwards. She won by four lengths from Kilkenny Baby, who withstood a strong late effort from Nikita Fungi to take second.
Dowling completed the double when Ballymac Floss landed Heat Five in 28.61.
He made the bend ahead of Knockna Kirka and, stepping on the gas in the back straight, won by four lengths from Deerfield Mover.
In Heat 2, Civil Rights led favourite Liiselton Bill and Deejay Ninety Six into the first bend. Deejay Ninety Six took it up at half way and went clear to score by two lengths from Civil Rights with Lisselton Bill third in 28.55.
In Heat 3, He Haws Cantona hit the front on the back straight to justify favouritism by three and a half lengths from Spruce Percy in 29.58.
Heat Four provided the tightest finish of the evening. Following a level break, the Kerry-owned Come Home Honcho led Great Beyond, favourite Superhod Hero and Count Corleon to the turn. There was trouble here and the favourite moved in to second place behind Come Home Honcho. The pair had a great battle to the line with Come Home Honcho getting the verdict by a neck in 28.88.
Hot favourite Blue Majestic, trained by Seamus Graham broke smartly in the final heat and made every inch of the running to win by six and a half lengths from Goldmine Ramble and Lions Rumble in 28.61.
