Sensation just fends off Boher Paddy at Sheffield

Sheffield: saw a thriller Tuesday night in Irish Derby Trial Stakes

  PICTURE: STEVE NASH

SAWPIT SENSATION underlined his Betfred Select Stakes credentials at Nottingham next Wednesday when beating Boher Paddy in a thrilling trial stakes for the Ladbrokes Irish Derby over Sheffield’s 500 metres on Tuesday night.

Dave Hunt’s dog is in remarkable form, in his last 13 races he has now won ten times, running second in the other three, including five wins on the trot.

He had impressed the Press panel who voted on the Select line-up last week, dead-heating for the final place with Alien Planet, and although losing a second vote narrowly, took his place when Alien Planet was subsequently found to be sore.

But at Sheffield he drifted to 3/1 against in face of support for 2/5 Boher Paddy – who has a tremendous record at the track and is devilishly hard to beat.

Sawpit Sensation broke marginally ahead from trap four, moving wide from the boxes and again at the first bend, allowing Boher Paddy to kick into the lead.

Down the back, Sawpit Sensation closed again, and took over at the third, before Boher Paddy rallied in gallant style and, in a rousing finish, Sawpit Sensation held on by a short-head in 28.83sec.

He earns £300, and also free entry into the Ladbrokes Irish Derby, plus £200 travelling incentive.

It remains to be seen if he will take that up; entries for the Shelbourne feature close Saturday July 28, the draw is Monday July 30 with the first round on August 1, 2 and 4.

** BUBBLY PHOENIX looks set to take his chance in the Select Stakes, despite initially disappointing connections when clocking 30.53sec (+10) in a trial over the course and distance before racing on Monday evening. Full story in Wednesday’s Racing Post

** SIX Coral head office staff are bravely setting off on a cycle ride in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support  - Coral’s chosen charity for the year - this Friday 13th!
They plan to ride from Romford Stadium to Hove Stadium, a distance of over 80 miles.  The six are Steve Humphries, Dave Peters, Darren Butler, Brian Campbell, Steve Collis and Jake Stevens, and they are all part of the Central Operations team based at the company’s new Stratford head office.
They can be supported via: justgiving.com/Coral-Central-Operations, there is even an amusing YouTube video about their mission at http://youtu.be/uqdCNtcME1w