Battling qualities help Diamond keep unbeaten Produce record

SWORDS DIAMOND once again set the standard in round two of the €20,000 National Produce Stakes over 525 yards at Clonmel with a performance in total contrast to his front-running romp a week earlier but every bit as impressive all the same.

Graham Holland's charge was sent off 8/13 favourite for the opener in the absence of Jaykay Fly but it was outsider Ardfert Sam who was first to show only to be barged out of the lead by Scooby Marquess entering the back straight.

Swords Diamond, who had turned third, moved into second at that point but there was no way through when he initially tried to challenge Scooby Marquess at the penultimate bend and he had to bide his time.

Patience was to prove a virtue, however, as he powered past the leader on the run for home to score by a length and a half in 28.42sec with Riverside Rex completing a Holland 1-3.

Other heats went to Paul Matthews' Firstpastthepost (28.50sec), Michael O'Donovan's Berlin Trilogy (28.58sec) and Murt Leahy's Sawdust Barry (28.60sec) in a final heat from which Holland withdrew both Newinn Spot and Shotgun Dez.

Friday's Produce Stakes semi-finals (live on sisracing.tv) - first: 1 Berlin Trilogy, 2 Hackney Dancer, 3 Droopys Winsome, 4 Powerhouse Major, 5 Firstpasthepost, 6 Sawdust Barry (w).

Second: 1 Callaway Danny, 2 Riverside Rex, 3 Swords Diamond, 4 Scooby Marquess, 5 Vivaro Warrior, 6 Oriental Prince (m)