Irish Derby: Vic is fastest, treble for Dolores

Dolores Ruth: Three winners in Ladbrokes Irish Derby third round

  PICTURE: STEVE NASH  

THE third round heats of the Ladbrokes Irish Derby took place at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night and fastest of the eight winners was Liam Dowling's Ballymac Vic.

First blood went to Dolores Ruth when her Cuil Cougar (3-1JF) cracked out and made all to take the opening heat in a useful 29.62sec. Dave Hunt's Sawpit Sensation, the only original UK entry fin the competition finished third and made the hat for next week's quarter-finals.

Heat two was a four-runner contest and Dolores Ruth was to double up when her Razldazl Apollo (Evs F) went even quicker in making all and clocking 29.59sec.

Graham Holland's Killbarry Rover (8-1) was a surprise but fast winner (29.54sec) of heat three. Sparta Maestro, the 4-6 jolly, could only finish fourth and was eliminated. Dolores Ruth's Razldazl Luke qualified in third position.

Amazingly Ruth was on the winner's podium again when defending champion Razldazl George (7-2) came from off the pace to take heat four in 29.77sec. Pat Buckley's Dragon Shield was eliminated in sixth.
 
Patsy Byrne's Coolykereen Imp (5-1) made all the running in heat five - holding the late run of Tyrur Sugar Ray by 3/4L in 29.82sec. Droopys Cain was eliminated in fifth.

Liam Dowling's leading ante-post fancy Ballymac Vic (4-6F) then set the fastest time of the competition when cracking out and impressively making all in 29.44sec. Cabra Millie missed her break and could only finish fifth.

Heat seven saw Owen McKenna's Confident Rankin (5-4F) take charge from the start and beat kennelmate Camas by four lengths in 29.66. Dolores Ruth's Razldazl Rioga was eliminated in fifth.

The last of eight heats went to Skywalker Puma (5-2) who stayed on well to overpower Razldazl Bugatti on the run in to score by 2 1/2L in 29.75sec with Droopys Jet 3/4L away in third.

Quarter-final draw: