Clares Rocket hot favourite to land Kirby Memorial
The even-money chance, trained by Graham Holland for the Full House Syndicate, posted a flying 1.24 sectional to go clear into the turn, and was never troubled as stretched out impressively to beat Witches Belle by eight lengths, in 28.00, with the winner’s kennel companion, Riverside Oscar, in third.
Droopys Roddick, also sent off the even-money favourite, took the second semi-final for trainer Pat Buckley and owner J M Proctor.
Although not setting the clock on fire in this stake, the impressive son of Droopys Jet and Droopys Start keeps getting the job done, and did so this time when leading late to beat Maytown Eclipse by a length, in 28.52, with Riverside Chip in third.
There was a minor upset in the final of the Barringtons Hospital Treaty Cup as Ballymac Bigmike got up late to deny odds-on favourite and track record holder Quietly. The winner, trained by Robert Gleeson for Christy and Denise Mahon, was first to show, and held a length lead on the run to the bend.
The favourite joined the leader on the turn and may have put his nose in front turning for home, but Ballymac Bigmike, appreciating the long run home, forged ahead late to score by half a length, in 18.58.
Paradise Maverik is just one step away from defending his Gain Dog Food Irish Cesarewitch crown after he took Saturday night’s first semi-final at Mullingar.
Those who played the short odds were made to sweat as the 2-5 chance left it late to pick up long-time leader Master Moroney, eventually doing so by half a length, in 33.57, with Mosstown Prince in third.
There was an upset in the second semi-final as 5-1 chance Philiblue, owned by John Fox, made all the running to score by four and a half lengths from Droopys Tee, in 33.65, with Droopys Acrobat in third. Favourite Vivaro Swift finished fifth after a troubled passage throughout.
At Shawfield, Francie Murray’s Fair Taxes took the first semi-final of the Scottish Derby with a strong display. A clear second early, he was forced to check at the first turn, but recovered to challenge at the third bend. In front turning for home, he stayed on well to beat Eden The Kid by a length and a quarter, in 28.92.
There was further Irish success in the second semi-final as Liam Dowling’s Irish Derby champ Ballymac Matt disputed to the turn, before stretching right away to beat Hot Pipe by more than four lengths, in 28.75.
The winner has been installed 7-4 favourite to take next weekend’s decider.
In the third semi-final Kelly Macari’s Droopys Buick equalled the track record when leading all the way and pulling right away to beat the staying-on Leave At Dawn by more than five lengths, in 28.63.
