Clonbrien Is Still The Hero In Clonmel

Clonbrien Hero continues to head the market in the Produce Stakes as he made it three from three last Sunday night.

Hero had to battle extremely hard for the victory in the last of the quarter-finals, Drive On Razor showed in front on the run to the corner just about leading round. Razor seemed to cross over in front of hero off the second bend which gave him a clear length’s advantage.

Approaching the penultimate turn Hero managed to get on terms with the leader and shot up the inside and took over in front. As they raced for home the leader looked to be well in command but the field began to close in on him. Mrs Chippy absolutely flew home on the outside but the line came just in time for Clonbrien Hero as he stopped the clock in 28.65. Three lengths covered the first five home here, Mrs Chippy was a half-length back in second and Drive On Razor a further length back in third.

Unbeaten
Vahsel Bay also maintained her unbeaten record in the competition as she was a runaway winner of the second quarter final. This race was over as a contest at trap rise, as Vahsel exploded from trap six and was able to skate around the opening two bends in front.

The way she cut the first corner was perfect and this allowed her to skip clear down the far side…

…and the race was now on for the two qualifying positions in behind.

Kilgraney Master did the chasing all the way but to no avail, he eventually finished second, seven lengths behind the leader in the fastest time of the night in 28.49. Ballybough Dad kept on for third after getting into bother early in the race.

Upset
Riptide Treaty caused a bit of an upset in the third heat for Neilus O’Connell. Dog Mac Arthure went off 4/5 favourite in the heat but missed the kick slightly and did hit the front heading into the third bend.

At this point however he had wasted a lot of petrol getting to the front and just seemed to empty up the home straight. Treaty was never too far off the pace and pounced on the outside just before the line stopping the infield clock in 28.73. Winter Streak kept on for third here. This was Riptide Treatys second win of his career.

The first heat was won by Leevalley Dancer which is trained by Michael O’Donovan.

He had a great match to the corner with Lughill Robbie but Leevalley had the inside line and entered the back straight a length in front.

Heading around the bottom two bends it looked like Lughill was going to take up the lead on the inside but checked up behind the leader.

That was a race-winning move by the leader as he crossed the line a length in front of Lughill Robbie in second and the strong running Crossfield Katie back in third. The winning time was 28.78.

Draw
The draw for the semi-finals took place directly after racing, the toughest heat on paper appears to be the opening heat. It will be some race to the corner! Dog Mac Arthure (1), Drive On Razor (2) and Vahsel Bay (6) all look to be drawn well, if the bitch in six can break level she has the ability to race to the corner in front and chop the noses off the dogs on her inside. Clonbrien Hero can come out on top in the second semi-final.

Peter Cronin is enjoying a nice run at the moment across the Irish Sea in Kinsley as he has guided Cometowpass to the final of the Gymcrack. He will run from trap two in the final next Tuesday night and has made the final unbeaten. He currently heads the market at 6/4 but I’d be slightly worried about the trap draw for him as he has early pace on both sides. The break is going to be vitally important but if he traps level it’s over!

Derby
The betting for the English Derby is tightening up every week and the jolly Clares Rocket made a very pleasing debut last week in a Derby Trial Stake. Although only finishing second you couldn’t but be pleased with his first race in nearly seven months.

He still heads the list at 8/1. Keep an eye on Towcester TV on Youtube for all trials and races from the venue. This is a top class facility and the team in Towcester deserve a huge pat on the back! Betting on all the aforementioned competitions can be viewed online or you can call into any one of our shops nationwide! #BetOnBoyle