IRELAND take a strong numerical advantage into Sunday’s KAB Maiden Derby Final at Towcester after both Graham Holland and Paul Hennessy sent out winners in the weekend’s semi-finals over 500m.

First up was Graham Holland’s Garfiney Blake as the 36-kilo October 2021 son of Confident Rankin and Sarasota Chik used the rails to best effect in the first semi to escape crowding behind before going on to score by six and three-quarter lengths from compatriot Barefoot Awesome (Paul Hennessy) in 29.47sec (normal).

The winner is a kennelmate of last year’s Star Sports/TRC English Derby champion Gaytime Nemo and is a three-time Cork scorer, boasting a best of 28.56sec, while the runner-up has won finals at Limerick and Enniscorthy.

Paul Hennessy was then on the mark with Jaytee Craze who set the fastest time of the day – an impressive effort given the card also saw a number of Derby trial stakes – when racing away for a four and a quarter length success in 28.88sec (normal) in the second semi.

The winner, a November 2021 son of Ballymac Cashout and Ballymac Minton, is an experienced sort with a best of 28.14sec at Shelbourne. He led home Miami Bullet (Paul Young), the pair securing their places in Sunday’s £10,000 all-railer final.

Hennessy, twice the trainer of an English Derby winner, then sent out the runner-up in the third semi-final to give him three chances of success in Sunday’s decider as Jaytee Etienne chased home Tom Heilbron’s Glorious Tom.

A December 2021 son of Droopys Sydney and Cicero and 28.37sec Shelbourne winner during his Irish career for Pat Buckley, Glorious Tom rode a bump before going on at the first bend for a three-and-a-half length success over the Irish raider in 29.34sec (normal).

It all means four Irish-trained runners will line-up in the Category One final at Towcester, with two for England – but the home guard is not giving up hope of success, with both Young and Heilbron confident their charges are up to the challenge.

Young said: “Miami Bullet came over to us from Garry Dempsey in great order. He settled in with us great and has done everything right so far. I’m just hoping he continues to give his owners lots of fun.

“He’s owned by three lovely people in Billy Boyle, Johnny Donohoe and Tom O’Donnell. They’ve had some nice dogs over the years and are great supporters of the game!

“Bullet is in great heart and form. It’s a cracking race and hopefully afterwards we’ll all have some fun with him in the Derby.”

Of Glorious Tom, Heilbron added: “We always thought Tom had the ability on his Shelbourne runs and the change of kennels might have just sparked his interest again.

“He’s got a really tough draw to work with, though, and will need to smash the bars down. Kenny (Glen), his owner, is a great addition to the kennel and has been terrific since joining the team.”

Trap draw for Sunday’s KAB Maiden Derby Final: 1 Jaytee Craze, 2 Garfiney Blake, 3 Miami Bullet, 4 Barefoot Awesome, 5 Glorious Tom, 6 Jaytee Etienne.