Dowling’s De Lahdedah turns on the Derby style

DE LAHDEDAH (5/1) ensured Ireland took the title for a third successive year with a record-equalling performance to land the £175,000 Star Sports/TRC English Derby over 500m at Towcester.

Trained by Liam Dowling for the five-strong Garsuns Syndicate, De Lahdedah was soon on the heels of early leader Churchfield Syd and needed no second invitation to take the inside route when that rival left a gap entering the back straight.

In truth, the race was over as a contest from that point hard though Churchfield Syd battled for a long way, De Lahdedah eventually scoring by two and a half lengths from a staying on compatriot Boylesports Bob in 28.58sec with Whyaye Man claiming third on the line.

The time matched the record set by Droopys Clue, a comeback winner on the undercard, in April and then matched in the Derby opening round by King Memphis, whose badly missed break in the final left supporters of the 11/10F quickly aware of their fate.