Irish roundup from the weekend - Laurels and Lifford Oaks
We take a look back at the action over the weekend from the Irish Laurels and the Lifford Oaks and forward to the next round of each this coming weekend.
Bar One Racing Irish Laurels
For the second round in a row it was Ballymac Setanta who set the standard. He didn't need to go as quick as the 27.94 that he produced in the opening round but his 28.09 still sets a strong level for the others to live up to. The track worsened as the card went on, -20 by the time that Droopys Patriot clocked 28.29 in the final heat to put his name alongside as the quickest calculated run of the night.
At this stage, Ballymac Setanta is only the third favourite for outright glory with the bookmakers, having to take on the second favourite Solo And Go in the second quarter-final. Droopys Patriot is the favourite and has the chance to set the early standard in the quarter-final stage with the opening contest.
Faypoint Ranger wasn't seen at his best during the Irish Derby but the Kirby winner got back to winning ways with an impressive 28.17 success. He will head to the traps in the third quarter-final.
Best Odds
3/1 Droopys Patriot 10/3 Solo And Go 9/2 Ballymac Setanta 15/2 Faypoint Ranger, Magical On Fire 14/1 Ballymac Brandon, Unanimous Leo 16/1 Lemon Joey, Born To Perform 20/1 Faypoint Harvey, Prince Naseem 33/1 Boozed Burgess, Made To Measure, Silent Kobbie 40/1 Ballycowen Archy 50/1 Blastoff Heffo, Highview Ben, Kilgraney North 66/1 Bruce Bay, Lemon Herbie 80/1 Moorstown Knight 100/1 Drive On Petsy, Master Myles, Trionas Tribe
BOYLE Sports Lifford Oaks
The competition received a blow ahead of the opening round heats when Droopys Kathleen was taken out. Despite her absence, the quality of bitch on show was top notch, though punters found things a little tricky with both Magical Mag and Glengar Martha turned over in their respective heats, the latter getting knocked out of the competition.
In the defence of Magical Mag, she was only beaten a short head by Singalong Polly who produced the best time of the heats. Given that this competition comes hard on the heels of her exceptional run through the Irish Derby, she can be afforded a little leeway. She heads the outright betting ahead of the semis this weekend.
Best Odds
5/2 Magical Mag 4/1 Hackney Tango, Westway Rossa 6/1 Magical Sapphire, Singalong Polly 12/1 Innfield Riddle 14/1 Durrow Star 16/1 Magical Poppet 20/1 Ashmar Una 25/1 Blue Belle, Daleroad Mya, Fridays April
