17-05-2025
Cheap Sandwiches has prowess to power past rivals
Session two of round two of the English Derby takes place this evening in Towcester and the last of the heats is the hottest of the lot.
With five first-round heat winners in the line-up, there is little room for error, but Irish Derby runner-up Cheap Sandwiches should have the measure of his rivals on the run go the bend, and that swings the verdict firmly in his favour.
Graham Holland's dog can take this at the expense of last year's runner-up, Boylesports Bob. The latter impressed with his track craft when winning in round one and is capable of turning closer this time. However, picking up the selection is likely to prove too much for him and the other four runners.
The selection's kennel companion, Bombay Pat, should have little trouble following up his first-round win when he contests heat 10. He is always the quickest out of boxes but has the type of early pace which should prove too hot for these rivals.
Yet another kennelmate, Bockos Diamond, also has what looks like a straightforward task in heat 13, and there seems little point looking beyond the Irish Derby winner.
In Shelbourne Park, the Sporting Press Online Edition Irish Oaks gets underway with nine heats, and A Lucky Julie, who dead-heated with Fleadh Saraide in the final of this competition in 2024, can make a winning start to her defence by taking heat two. Jerry Melia's bitch hasn't run for a long time but a recent 17.48 spin around Newbridge should have put her ready to do herself justice.
The last of the nine heats looks tough but Puppy Oaks winner Shebetheone is in great form and can extend her winning run against the brilliantly consistent Glengar Martha and the returning Ballymac Danica.
The 2025 Open 750, with a prize fund in excess of €11,000, gets underway at Curraheen Park and Callaway Hybrid should prove a step ahead of his rivals in the second of the three heats.
