IRISH HOPING FOR BRIGHT START AT TOWCESTER

The Star Sports/ TRC English Derby gets underway at Towcester this evening and Ireland will have eleven representatives in action in the opening ten heats.

Graham Holland, Paul Hennessy, Liam Dowling and Dolores Ruth all have runners and there is potential for a number of Irish trained winners including last year’s brilliant champion Romeo Magico.

MAGICO TO BEGIN DEFENCE IN STYLE

The son of Magical Bale lines out in Heat 2 where he will certainly start favourite to get his challenge off to a winning start.

In a race lacking any big names other than that of the 2022 champion, David Firmager’s star should have far too much ammunition for his rivals.

REX ALSO LOOKS THE PART

His handler Graham Holland will also be expected to score with his recent track record breaker Swords Rex.

The Easter Cup champ is one of two Irish in Heat 10 with Liam Dowling’s Ballymac Walt also expected to have a big say. Swords Rex will be a hot favourite after his latest outing, however, and can justify his billing with another comfortable trap to line success. Ballymac Walt can emerge as one of the main dangers.

HANZO NEEDS A FAST START

Holland’s Riverside Kennels operation are also represented by Romeo Hanzo in Heat 3 due of at 7.10pm.

While it’s not the toughest heat of the round, he will still need to be on his toes in the opening yards from a tricky draw in four. Former Irish tracker Hopes Rhino, who was formerly known as Petersburg could emerge as the main threat to Hanzo, although Bubbly Cherokee and Signet Otis are also respected.

CYPTO CAN PUNK HIS RIVALS

Consolation Derby and Laurels winner Cryptopunk also runs tonight for Graham Holland.

He is housed in three in Heat 5 where he is capable of making a bold bid. None of his four rivals look outstanding and Cryptopunk could get first run if finding his trapping boots.

FLYING FINN SHOULD BE TOO GOOD

Aside from the aforementioned Ballymac Walt, Liam Dowling is also represented by his brilliant tracker Ballymac Finn.

The Derby runner-up is clearly a leading fancy for outright glory although nothing will come easy tonight.

Drawn on the fence in Heat 8, the son of Droopys Sydney has shown his well-being in recent weeks, posted 28.04 around Tralee in a trial and doing little wrong in a first spin at Towcester. He isn’t the only Irish runner in the heat. Brendan Matthews is represented Savana Hero. The latter hasn’t trialled around Towcester but has run well there in the past. Ballymac Finn gets the nod.

UNDULATION GETS IRISH CHALLENGHE UNDERWAY

After setting the standard in Saturday’s Derby trial session, Brendan Matthews’ talented bitch Undulation will be hoping for a good start to her Derby bid in the opening heat of the round.

The daughter of Pestana has experience around Towcester after reaching the Puppy Derby decider there earlier in the year and is certainly one to consider.

She faces some speedy rivals including Drive On Lad, Bubbly Star and Mustang Sam but is clearly worthy of consideration. It is worth noting she is just out of season and may need the outing despite her latest trial suggesting otherwise.

AS I SAY RESPECTED

Brendan Matthews also sends out As I Say.

The son of Broadstrand Bono is far from the finished article but has shown plenty of ability in his short career. He lines out in the red jacket in Heat 7 and has nothing to fear from his four rivals. If he were to put his best foot forward, he could potentially get off the mark in the UK.

MCNEILL AND JET TO FIGURE

Paul Hennessy is bidding to win a third English Derby at three different venues and his first challenger to go to traps is the powerful Mcneill in Heat 9.

He is joined by the Dolores Ruth trained Mustang Jet and both are selected to make the frame.

The duo have very different racing styles with Paul Hennessy’s Mcneill known as a big finisher with real power, while Leger runner-up and Winter Racing Festival winner Mustang Jet is amongst the sharpest in training.

Mustang Jet has only had two starts this year, leading early to make all at Shelbourne at the end of April while he was out of luck in a Derby trial stake at Towcester a couple of weeks ago. He has a near-perfect draw in the stripes and will look to dominate from the outset. In contrast, Mcneill will be picking his way through the pack from halfway. That should be easier from an inside draw.