Droopys Neymar signals Kingdom Derby intentions

THOSE associated with the Comhaltas movement in Listowel, Duagh and Lixnaw brought a very good atmosphere to Tralee Track for a fund-raiser on Saturday night and, while the final of an A7 525 sweepstake occupied proper pride of place, the big talking point was a truly magnificent run of 28.26 in one of the supporting 525yds races by the Pat Buckley-trained Droopys Neymar, which, very clearly, was being revved up for his tilt at the upcoming Tile Master Kingdom Derby.

Droopys Neymar, a 2/1 shot, was running from trap 5 in the eighth race (AA0/ A0 525) and it was more than impressive the way he swept past the front-running Skywalker Rafa off the second bend and went on to beat 6/4 favourite, the Liam Dowling-trained Chespirito, by two and a half lengths, with the same distance back to Cash Is King.

There was a line-up of talent here that would have done justice to the most important of sweepstake final it and it certainly whets the appetite for the opening round of the Tile Master Kingdom Derby this Friday night.

It was a night of fast times generally, with Liam Dowling’s bitch, Ballymac Meena, clocking 28.40 and the Timmy Carmody-trained Carmac Courage clocking 28.63 (the going was standard), but , of course, the biggest purse of €650 was at stake in the A7 sweepstake final and this was claimed by John Geoghegan, of Athea, who saw his charge, Slippy Denny, create an upset by beating 1/2 favourite, Farran Mikado, in the most exciting of finishes.

Farran Mikado had clocked an estimated 28.69 at the semi-final stage compared to 29.17 by Slippy Denny and few could see her beaten from a trap 1 draw, though it has to be said that Slippy Denny was a strong second favourite at 2/1 (from 6/4) with the only bookmaker in attendance, Berkie Browne.

It was very close rounding the first bend between the fast-starting Mileheight Matt, Farran Mikado and Slippy Denny, but it did look as if Farran Mikado was going to justify favouritism when holding a one-length lead over Slippy Denny rounding the third bend. However, Slippy Denny had come home really well in winning his semi-final and, in a thrilling run to the line, he got up for a neck victory over Farran Mikado in a time which, quite remarkably, was identical to that which Slippy Denny had clocked when winning his semi-final – 29.17.

Other winners: Rosies Rambler, 18.30; Whirlwind Rose, 29.63; Clonkil Jet, 29.47; Slipaway Rose, 29.52; Carmac Courage, 28.63; Millridge Tip, 17.77; Westwind Maxi, 29.14.