Trinity In A Class Of His Own

Trinity Forest (11/2) kept his unbeaten record intact in the third round of the National Sprint in Dundalk on Friday night.

This son of Forest Master has really thrived since switching down to this two bend trip at the County Louth circuit. The 400 in Dundalk is a strange sort of a trip, some of the top sprinters over the last couple of years have been caught out up the home straight as it is a long way home off the second corner.

Sometimes it suits the 525 runners who just get the trip.

Trinity Forest fits this frame, it’s the long run to the corner he seems to love and gallops strong to the line.

He is four out of five over course and distance. Forest ran out a length and a half winner over Trewmount Blue (12/1) and the early pace runner Slade Paddy (12/1) in 21.34.

The only runner to get his head in front of Trinity Forest so far in Dundalk is Hillcroft Hero (4/1) trained by John McGee. He was also on the winner’s podium in the quarter finals after an all the way success in joint fastest of the night 21.31.

Hero had been out of luck in his last few starts when going off short priced favourite on each attempt, so it was no surprise to see him land the spoils in the third heat. John McGee has done very well in recent years with his sprinters and is a man to be feared especially around Dundalk. He wasn’t quickest into stride in this heat but his early pace carried him to the front by the first turn and it was good night Irene!

Lislevane Swift (16/1) and Blenhiem Cracker (20/1) did the chasing here. Tynwald Bish (5/1) has been as consistent a dog that there is in training over the last twelve months. He had an excellent run in this year’s English Derby finishing a gallant runner-up to Rio Quattro. Bish set the standard in the opening round with a slick 21.21. In my opinion he has lost a yard of his early pace but is staying a lot stronger then he was this time last year.

This heat was without doubt the best heat on paper and lived up to its expectations when the three fancied runners made it safely through. Catherines Drico (4/1) made the early running and led to the corner, but Bish was too close on the run home and got to the lead just before they reached the judge. Fastest second round heat winner Bruno Ya Know (7/1) was slowly into stride here but stayed on strong to claim his place in the draw for this week’s semi-final.

The final heat went the way of the Gerry Holian trained Slipalong Hero (6/1), Gerry is going for his second National Sprint after training the 2005 winner Mables Dilemma. Slipalong hasn’t really hit the lids in this competition and has been doing things the hard way. Outsider of field was the first to show at trap rise and led them to the bend. Hero was never too far off the pace and took control around the second turn. It was race over from here as Hero galloped hard to the line as he stopped the clock in 21.52. Abbylea (50/1) kept on for second ahead of Blue Cafu (14/1) back in third.

Trinity Forest looks the one to beat so far, and on the draw for next week’s semi-finals, he should book his place into the decider.

A Shot Of Sambuca
The Puppy Oaks kicked off last weekend in Harolds Cross, and judging by some of the performances in the opening round, the class of 2014 looks very good! Droopys Sambuca (2/1) went to traps for the first round with a big reputation and she didn’t leave that reputation down.

She turned her heat into a procession stopping the clock in a fantastic 28.67. This Robert Gleeson trained runner looks to have a real bright future! Pat Kiely made a worthwhile journey from Whitechurch in Cork with his runner Jeanettedollemma (8/1) who made an impressive debut in the Cross in 28.80. Danesrath Beauty (14/1) and Genuine Pearl (20/1) were the other heat winners on the night.

Don’t be surprised if a number of these young ladies improve through the stake as Harolds Cross is a tough track to run and dogs tend to improve with every run around it.

The countdown is on for this year’s Derby, all the Trial Stakes are over and the entries close this Saturday night. So by Sunday morning we will know the exact entry. There is a great buzz around the place at the moment and we can’t wait for it all to kick off!

Our moneyback offer is after kicking into action since last week. If your selection is knocked out in the first, second or third round of the Derby we will refund your stake as a free bet up to €100 per customer! This proved extremely popular last year so it was a no brainer to put it on again this year! Keep an eye online on www.boylesports.com for all the specials and heat betting early next week!

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*Prices correct at time of publication