Quietly lays down marker as he roars to track record
The Puppy Derby winner broke well from the inside box, which can be difficult over two bends, and, despite edging right in the early stages, had the dash to lead to the turn.
Immensely impressive throughout, he beat fine prospect Ballymac Sexton by four and a half lengths, in 17.33.
Reilly’s double came courtesy of Gain Select Stakes winner Hee Haws Sheriff, in heat four.
Runner-up in the Juvenile Derby, he showed his customary turn of pace to lead into the first bend, and pulled away in great style to beat Nickys Assassin by five and a half lengths, in 17.43.
There was a tight finish to the second heat, which went to Burley Babe, trained by Pat Kiely for David Burke. After early trouble for a number of the runners, the 3-1 chance turned close behind Darrig Lucky, and edged ahead late to beat that rival by a neck, in 18.02.
Paul Hennessy’s Mucho Macho Man made a positive start to his bid, with a wide-margin win in a hot-looking third heat. Away well, he quickened to assert into the first turn, and extended his advantage to four and a half lengths over Toolmaker Scot, in 17.52.
Ballymac Bigmike enhanced an already immense record with a super effort in the fifth heat.
Trained by Robert Gleeson and boasting a record of nine wins from 10 outings prior to the heat, the 7-4 shot quickened to take over from invinciblejackie approaching the first bend, and strode clear to beat that rival by four lengths, in 17.43.
Must Be Messy made all the running to take the sixth heat for trainer John Donnelly. The 4-1 chance opened up that decisive advantage in the first few yards, and comfortably maintained it at the expense of Corrin Amy, in 17.66.
In the opening race, Denis and Master Johnny McCarthy’s Springwood Messi came from behind the pace to land the spoils.
Obvious set the pace until joined by Satin Leo down the back but the race-winning move came at the final bend where the leaders eased off, and the eventual winner slipped through along the inside before moving a length clear of Any Kisses, in 28.67.
Tommy Delaney’s Harlem Princess knows the winning habit, and made it four wins in as many starts when taking the fifth race in good style.
Again an explosive turn of pace had the 2-1 favourite in front before the turn, and she stayed well to beat the wide-running Oaklands Heart by three and a half lengths, in 28.84.
In race nine, an open 525, Newlawn Peter made all the running to earn a spot in the Con and Annie Kirby Memorial. Quickest into stride, the John Kiely-trained runner led down the inside and looked in control throughout as he beat Droopys Aurora by two lengths, in 28.45.
Joe and Frank Long’s Chinook Rumble completed back-to-back victories when coming out clearly on top in race ten, an A0/1 550.
The 9-4 chance slipped through along the inside to lead between the opening bends, and strayed on powerfully to beat Burgess Import by three and a half lengths, in 29.95.
Christy Corcoran’s Lavan Lad came out best in a fine buckle to close the night’s action. Satin Hugo showed up first, but the eventual winner put his nose in front down the back, and stayed on with determination to maintain a narrow advantage over the challenger, in 28.92.
