Irish star is dominant in Empress market but semis not clear-cut

IT was all change in the outright market for the bet365 Empress Stakes at Towcester after Sunday's first round in the Category One competition with original market leader New Destiny crashing out.

As such, Irish-trained Silverhill Freya now dominates the betting after a brilliant 28.71sec heat success over the 500m course with New Destiny's young kennelmate Strike It Skye second in.

Jonathan Kay caught up with Pat Cooney from the sponsor to discuss the first round and look ahead to this weekend's semi-finals with two of the three leaving food for thought.