GREGOR AND CLYDE TO LOCK HORNS IN CONNACHT DERBY SECOND ROUND

Peter Farrell

After a solid opening to last weekend’s Kilcolgan Castle Connacht Derby 550, the tempo is expected to lift again as attention turns to tonight’s second-round heats.

There were several notable performances in round one, but the standout on the clock was the Pat Buckley-trained Grouchos Gregor. The May youngster, who produced an exceptional 28.45 on debut, dominated from the outset seven days ago and powered clear to score by eight lengths in a fast 30.32 .30s. On that evidence the blue tracker looks in peak condition and, despite a tricky draw in four, Ken O’Connell and Billy Thomson’s charge is a worthy favourite. The son of Ballymac Cooper will need to reproduce his 4.64 start to assert, yet his early speed could see him dispute regardless. The chief threat is the reigning Rural Kennels Unraced champion Gaytime Clyde. Trained by Graham Holland for Brendan O’Connell, he has yet to finish outside the frame in five starts and continues to improve. The son of Droopys Sydney came from off the pace to win his heat and will have benefited from a first look at the demanding Connacht circuit. Drawn in three, he is expected to progress further and this looks very much a match between himself and Grouchos Gregor. Of the remainder, Coolavanny Shona finished strongly in round one and is well housed in trap one to qualify.

LEO TO ROAR

Heat two features several impressive round-one performers, but preference is for Unanimous Leo to reverse last week’s narrow defeat.

The Pat Buckley-trained runner, owned by Ciaran O’Sullivan, is among the best on his day and ran well despite fluffing the start on his first look at the venue. A strong early pacer, he is drawn on the right side of likely favourite Slippery Brian and, if trapping level, should have enough pace to the bend. Slippery Brian, another from the Graham Holland kennel, is progressing rapidly and represents a serious danger after an emphatic eight-and-a-half-length victory in 30.39. Well drawn in three, he bids to follow up, but the run to the corner with Unanimous Leo will be decisive. Flyers Minnie also returned to winning ways last week to complete a double for Colm Fitzgerald, while Crafty Bisto is capable of much better than his latest effort and should improve.

MAP CAN FIND A WAY

The third and final heat could see Droopys Map build on an eye-catching third last time.

Trained by Murt Leahy for Martin Costigan, the son of Droopys Sydney met early trouble before finishing strongly to be beaten just two and a half lengths. From trap four, a clean break would make him a major contender. Jacktavern Bull also endured a troubled passage on opening night and must sharpen at traprise to turn the tables. Tiermana Hunter combines early pace with stamina and is well drawn in two, while Donishall Sam, trained by Graham Holland, stayed on stoutly for second and, given his Cork form, cannot be overlooked from the inside berth.

MERLIN BAR BITCH ACTION ALSO ON OFFER

Prior to the second round Derby heats, the opening round heats of the Merlin Bar A2/A3 525 Bitch Stake, which is kindly sponsored by the Merlin Bar, serves as a strong supporting act.

In heat one, Kazankina rates as nap material as she benefits from a significant drop in class for Patrick Guilfoyle. The daughter of Orchestrate and Raha Mofo possesses strong all-round pace and arrives fresh from a tilt at the Limerick Oaks. If reproducing her best form, she should prove difficult to beat. The chief threat appears to be Jennie On Faya, who comes in off a pleasing trial around Thurles and represents the respected Murt Leahy kennel.

Heat two can go the way of Pat Buckley’s Deerjet Matilda in trap one. The well-bred daughter of Deerjet Sydney and Nice Mystery showed plenty of promise in the Enniscorthy unraced and, although this represents a step out of novice company, she avoids the calibre of opposition she has previously encountered. Nicely housed on the inside, the demanding Galway circuit should suit given her strong finishing effort. Avenue Queen boasts excellent Lifford form but faces a tricky draw in three for Brian Robinson in Tyrone, while Charming Ciara arrives in peak condition after a 29.07 victory last time out.

The final heat looks wide open, with Droopys Mags expected to go close. Another from the Leahy kennel, the daughter of Out Of Range has been unfortunate in recent starts but her Kilkenny form is strong and a repeat would suffice. Sheezatwister is well drawn in one and could set a sharp pace for Corona Ryan, while Coolavanny Ogie, the only former AAO runner, has not shown her best of late but cannot be ruled out for Neilus O’Connell.