Borna Gin can give punters the perfect tonic at Dundalk
DUNDALK INTERNATIONAL
ENGLISH Derby finalists Droopys Verve and Whoops Jack go at it again in Thursday’s Dundalk 550 International, feature event of a big 12 July dual race day.
Droopys Verve, the sole England-based contender, finished a one-and-a-half length second to Dorotas Wildcat in the classic on 2 June, with Whoops Jack back in sixth place.
Towcester form is also represented by Borna Gin, sufferer of first bend misfortune when eliminated at the semi-final stage behind Droopys Verve.
The rest of the field is made up by three bitches and it will be a major surprise if one of Jumeirah Charm, Slippery Jade and Cabra Angel is able to lift the €20,000 first prize, backed by IOS IT Solutions.
Pat Buckley, trainer of Borna Gin, is aiming for his third International since 2015 when he sent out Paradise Silva to collect. Droopys Roddick followed up twelve months later in track record-breaking fashion (29.47).
If Buckley is to succeed he will have to fend off his brother and well-known singer, Jimmy who owns Jumeirah Charm, trained by Gerry Holian.
Although this will be her first race away from Shelbourne Park, Slippery Jade counts as a local runner, coming from Larry Dunne’s Jenkinstown kennel.
Cabra Angel, meanwhile, is prepared by a handler who has twice tasted International glory. Pat Guilfoyle conditioned Definate Opinion who landed successive renewals in 2010 and 2011.
The draw has worked out perfectly for Borna Gin and Droopys Verve and they can dominate.
The former wears the red jacket, while sole middle seed Droopys Verve is berthed inside three wide runners, nearest of which is slow-starter Slippery Jade.
Whoops Jack also has a decent pitch in five and the Peter Cronintrained early pacer could string them out.
Nevertheless, Borna Gin is selected to lead home Angela Harrison’s visitor to emulate 2017 scorer Jaytee Jet.
Thursday’s card gets underway at 7.30pm and includes seven finals as well as another four opens
Weekendresults
Friday: Race 1 Mays Kimberella won in 29.31 for owner/trainer Vincent Toner (Newry); Race 2 Craftsman won in 29.14 for John Kelly and Cappawhite trainer Pat Buckle; Race 3 Madabout Paws won in 18.76 for The-ThreeD-Amigo-Syndicate and Armagh trainer Sean Devlin; Race 4 Shes My Lady won in 19.34 for Janine Farrell (Newry); Race 5 Locnamon Mike won in 30.06 for We-Play-And-We-Lay-Syndicate and Cappawhite trainer Pat Buckley; Race 6 Kilmessan Royal won in 30.33 for Rita Carberry (Kilmessan); Race 7 Rains Danny Boy won in 21.65 for Stephen Carroll and Mooncoin trainer Peter Cronin; Race 8 Eight Carat won in 21.44 for Laurence & Brian Jones and Carrickmacross trainer Laurence Jones; Race 9 Cliffords Pick won in 30.05 for Stephen Townsley (Belfast); Race 10 Castlehill Elmer won in 30.12 for Sean McKee & Michael McElhatton and Coalisland trainer Feargal O’Donnell.
Saturday: Race 1 Geras Image won in 21.87 for Raymond Bellew & Mark Durnin (Dundalk); Race 2 Martinas Blossom won in 21.94 for Thomas McGuirk (Swords); Race 3 Clonleigh Cherry won in 29.41 for Ollie Hepburn (Lifford); Race 4 Monleek Express won in 29.41 for Rita Downey and Tullyallen trainer John Downey; Race 5 Morning Dream won in 29.03 for Colm Farrelly (Hackballcross); Race 6 Ross Swift won in 28.79 for Noel Devlin (Dungannon); Race 7 Droopys Dinner won in 28.77 for Seamus Hagan and trainer Cathal McGhee; Race 8 Over The Border won in 29.17 for Kenneth Finnegan (Dundalk); Race 9 No Mumbo Jumbo won in 21.58 for Kevin Kearney (Dunleer); Race 10 Carriglong Cathy won in 28.94 for Peter McGorrey (Dungannon)