RED WORTH FOLLOWING IN LENNIES DERBY

Ian Fortune

Those at Kilkenny on Friday night would have been rewarded handsomely in the semi-finals of the Lennies Derby were they to follow the runners in the red jacket with both Rallying Billy and Da Bould Johnjoe obliging on the inside of the track.

BILLY GETS LOOSE

It was somewhat predictable that Rallying Billy (Ballymac Cashout/ Rallying Saidso) would dictate the pace in the opening semi-final. Kilgraney Nike and Foyle Milo were also prominent in the early stages but Rallying Billy made the most of his inside line to assert on the corner.

The main dangers to the leader came from further back, however. The ever-consistent and strong running Mission Control moved with real purpose from the second turn and closed right to the line but Rallying Billy would not be denied, holding on to score for Dan Flynn and Chris Delaney by three parts of a length in 29.00. Mystical Ranger also stayed on strongly to come from off the pace to qualify in third, just a length and a half further adrift.

JOHNJOE HOLDS OFF SILVERSTAR

Da Bould Johnjoe made it a double for those wearing red in the second semi-final, getting loose early to hold Group Silverstar for an all-the-way success. The battle for the minor placings was a bit more complicated by Droopys Honor racing prominent out of the second turn only to find traffic on the third turn.

Kilgraney Bob wasn’t far away either but Group Silverstar did the best work in the latter stages to come through for second. Da Bould Johnjoe had first run, however. Trained by Mick English for Thomas Farrell and Martin Fortune, the son of Grangeview Ten and Me Penny held off Group Silverstar by a neck in 29.13. Kilgraney Bob was just a half length further adrift in third. 

PRINCE TAKES OFF

There was a stunning run in the semi-finals of the Goatsbridge Trout Farm A2 525 with Biorra Prince posting a sizzling 28.68. Representing Karol Ramsbottom and Shane Rigney, the son of Mcinerney and Crossfield Linda was in a league of his own in the second heat, making every inch after a slick exit to beat Group Chick by eleven and a half lengths.

To highlight the strength of the run, the opening semi went the way of the Murt Leahy trained Spudz Are Rotten in 29.39 as he shook off an opening bend bump to go to the front. He would emerge three lengths clear of Getoutofit.

INISHERIN FASTEST IN BEHAN MEMORIAL

Also on the card were the semi-finals of the Stephen Behan Memorial. Eileen O’Reilly’s Inisherin (Ballymac Cashout/ Patterdale Lena) went fastest as he made every inch to see off Florican Heights by a neck in 29.47.

John Phelan and Cathal Brophy’s Eyeofthekiln won the other heat, racing prominently throughout before taking charge from the final turn. The son of Jacob Tashadelek and Long Kiwi would run out a comfortable two and a half length winner over Comer Shark in 29.55.