Phoenix Ice heads Hennessy one-two
Deerfield Gold, attempting to give Kerry trainer Maurice O’Connor a follow-up success hot on the heels of Nikita Billie’s Laurels win, was best away from his inside berth, but he was quickly joined and passed by Phoenix Ice.
The Hennessy runner had opened up a three lengths lead over Deerfield Gold at halfway, and still had a length in hand at the line in 31.17, his fastest time in a competition which he went through unbeaten.
Kevins Choice sprung a 10/1 shock in the first semi-final of the Burger King Stakes when making all to beat Mountleader Gara by three and a half lengths in 28.48.
Scartlea Cox won in similar fashion when beating Reigning Champ by two and a half lengths in 28.58 in the third semi-final while in between Taheens Tiara, like Kevins Choice trained by Graham Calvert, came from behind to get the better of Lounge Act by two and a half lengths in 28.54.
Meanwhile, the Paul Hennessy trained Air Force James caused a big shock as he came from last to first to land the spoils in the 10,000 to the winner Egan Hospitality 525 at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night.
Smoking Ban, the red-hot favourite following two sensational efforts in the preliminaries, found himself in trouble early on as Ive Had It turned in control.
Ive Had It continued to set the pace into the back straight with Ten Honchos in chase. Spinners Choice came next, but he displayed fine pace to go second at halfway. Further back Smoking Ban and the slow starting Air Force James matched strides at the tail of the field.
At the third turn the pair arrived with a rush and it was at this point that the outcome of the race was decided. Smoking Ban made his move on the inside, while Air Force James challenged on the outside. The latter received a clearer run and he was poised to strike turning for home as a flattering Ive Had It still held the call.
Air Forced James raced past to win by a length and a half in 28.74 with Smoking Ban coming through strongly to take second money, a head in front of Spinners Choice in third.
Earlier, Johnny Donohoe, trainer of Spinners Choice, had turned out Jamies Magic to win the Consolation race from Pieinthesky in 28.92.
There were a couple of highly impressive runs on the undercard. The Owen McKenna trained Lughill Angel returned to her very best form in the sixth race over the standard trip.
Serene Rumble will not be retaining his Vodafone Grand Prix crown having crashed out of the competition at Harolds Cross on Friday night. The sensational son of Smooth Rumble finished last in his first round heat and it was evident that the sparkle of last year was clearly missing.
The opening round concludes tonight with the remaining three first round heats and World Class now stands out as the one to beat in the 35,000 competition.
Racing from trap two in the final heat he must face Egan Hospitality 525 winner Air Force James, Glenanore Pride and Charlie Bird amongst others, but the Champion Stakes winner is more than up to it. The Powerful son of Come On Ranger is expected to lead throughout.
