Star performance as Shelbourne eyes St Leger double.Byline: RICHARD BIRCHSHELBOURNE STAR will defend her William Hill The name William Hill may refer to the following: People
Although Selsey Girl's withdrawal rendered the first semi-final a five- dog affair, quality-wise it would have graced any major staying final. Ballymac Kewell, a William Hill Derby finalist in June, was first to show, pursued by the improving Charlie Lister dog, Farloe Divide. Solid Money, the 11-8 favourite, trapped sluggishly, but showed his customary early and middle pace to move into a challenging position, just off the speed, at half-way. At the fifth bend, things were getting tight up front, but backers of 2-1 shot Shelbourne Star started to raise their voices as she slipped into contention up the inside. It was a great finish, but Brian Clemenson's bitch always looked like getting there, and in typically dramatic fashion did so right on the line - by a short-head in 41.19sec. Farloe Divide and Ballymac Kewell were the other qualifiers, with Solid Money perhaps unlucky to have been eliminated - his stride pattern seemed to change going into the fifth bend, and the resulting loss of momentum (he rallied towards the finish) may have proved costly. Clemenson said afterwards af·ter·ward also af·ter·wards adv. At a later time; subsequently. afterwards or afterward Adverb later [Old English æfterweard] Adv. 1. : "Shelbourne Star did her job well. I think she's the peoples' favourite because of her style of running, and it's a real privilege to be in the final again. "That's four years on the trot trot one of the natural gaits of the horse; a two-beat gait on alternating diagonals. collected trot the head is held well in and the horse is not permitted to fully extend its limbs. we've had Leger finalists - twice with Form Of Magic and twice with Shelbourne Star. It's a very, very competitive final, but we go there on Tuesday with a leading chance." Fast-rising trainer Hayley Keightley will be represented by her first Classic finalist tomorrow when Roxholme Girl lines up from trap three. As expected, Droopys Shearer comfortably led 8-11 favourite Roxholme Girl in Saturday's second semi, but the latter turned second with a clear run, and there was always a sense of inevitability about the result. Although Droopys Shearer kept galloping, the richly talented Roxholme Girl galloped that little bit stronger, and caught Ted Soppitt's brindle brindle a pattern of coat pigmentation in which darker hairs form bands on a lighter background. A common coat color in Great Danes and Boston terriers. close home for a head success in 41.07sec. Paul Garland's Creamery Tex took third place to give home track Wimbledon representation in the final. Keightley, who has only been training since March 15, yet has already accumulated 47 open-race winners and is well on course to reach her target of 50 by December 31, said yesterday: "I'm so excited - it's wonderful. Roxholme Girl gave a faultless fault·less adj. Being without fault. See Synonyms at perfect. fault  less·ly adv. performance and thrives on hard work. There are no worries about the
quick runs with her.
"Trap three is not ideal, but she'll give an excellent account of herself." nForm, page 70 nBetting opposite CAPTION(S): Shelbourne Star Defending champion defending champion n (SPORT) → defensor/a m/f del título defending champion n (Sport) → champion(ne) en titre |
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