First Round Report - Friday 2nd May
The Blue Square Greyhound Derby started with a bang at Wimbledon on Friday night and there have been shocks aplenty right from the start of the competition. We now have a new favourite at the head of the market, which had to be shaken up after the elimination of a couple of the more fancied contenders.
Farloe Reason took the first heat for ‘Derby King’ Charlie Lister after a thrilling battle with Advantage Johnny, whilst the well-backed Melodys Pat (5/4 in the morning, eventually returning at 4/7 on course) claimed the scalp of last year’s Derby champion Westmead Lord in the second heat – though connections of the latter will be more than happy with his performance.
Toosey Blue was impressive in the third heat, clocking one of the fastest times of the night, whilst last year’s Oaks heroine Blonde Jeannie took heat four, which saw last season’s Derby finalist Forest Scholes bow out.
Tyrur Jay defied his odds of 10/1 to take heat 5 and give Ireland their second winner of the night, with Romeo Maldini just scraping through in fourth.
Ullid Conor produced an upset of sorts to beat hot favourite Ninja Jamie in heat 6, though he was himself a finalist last year. Paul Hennessy’s dog showed just why he loves it round the Plough Lane track and he looks certain to give another good account of himself in this competition.
Heat 7 was to provide the upset of the night as Racing Post Juvenile champion Ballymac Under, the 4/5 favourite, was sensationally knocked out. Matt Dartnell’s dog was never really going and ran very flat indeed. It was not a good night for the Dartnell kennel as they also had the promising Attykitt Admiral knocked out as well in the previous heat.
Madges Millions made a mockery of the 250 guineas that connections paid for him by taking heat 8, which saw the elimination of Holyromanemperor from the David Pruhs kennel.
Barnfield On Air produced probably the best performance of the night, easily justifying odds of 4/6 so beat Lenson Joker by three quarters of a length. ‘Barney’ had been friendless in the ante-post market prior to this but he showed his Scottish Derby running to be all wrong and the 16/1 now quoted by the sponsors could well prove to be popular in the coming days.
However, Catunda Harry is now the new 10/1 favourite with the sponsors following his impressive victory in heat 10. His time wasn’t overly impressive but the manner in which he burst through his rivals at the third bend after falling out of the traps will stay in the mind for quite a while and he looks a dog that could easily post a serious time when he gets used to the traps at Wimbledon.
The final heat of the night also produced a shock as Charlie Lister’s Rossacredibility, quietly fancied as a potential Derby winner in some quarters, was knocked out in a heat that went to the well-backed Commander Chief. Mark Wallis’ dog had been a double figure price in the morning, but was well-backed on course as well, eventually returning 9/2.
Blue Square Greyhound Derby – sponsors bet: 10 (from 14) Catunda Harry, 12 Tyrur Kieran, 14 (from 16) Farloe Reason, 16 (from 20) Advantage Johnny, (from 20) Barnfield On Air, Westmead Lord, 20 Romeo Maldini, Ninja Jamie, 25 (from 33) Melodys Pat, Tyrur Rhino, Tyrur Laurel, Rio Quando, 33 bar.
From the Blue Square Web Site with thanks.
First Round Report – Saturday 3rd May
The Blue Square Greyhound Derby continued apace on Saturday afternoon and whilst there weren’t as many shocks as there had been on the Friday, there was still plenty of top class racing and some of the most exciting finishes you’ll see during the competition.
The shocks continued in the first race of the night though (heat 12), as the fancied Spears Tarquynn was knocked out in a race won in good style by Swift N Smart. Claude Gardiner’s dog didn’t enjoy the best of runs but still trailed in last and connections will understandably be disappointed.
Ronnies Hustle took heat 13 from Nick Savva’s Westmead Keawn, with favourite Blonde Dino back in fourth. All three qualify and Ronnies Hustle impressed with his battling qualities.
Heat 14 provided the closest finish of the night as Droopys Maestro needed all of the 480m to collar Carlsberg Flash and to the naked eye, it looked as if trap four had held on. However, the photo proved otherwise and favourite backers breathed a huge sigh of relief.
Droopys Wells produced one of the most professional performances of the night to easily take heat 15, trapping well and soon putting the race to bed in a time of 28.72.
Heat 16 was a cracker and saw a titanic duel between Boherna On Air and Unique Option, with Barrie Draper’s dog just getting the better of David Pruhs’ by three quarters of a length. Both of these qualifiers should have a bigger say in the competition as it progresses.
Kryptonite took heat 17 after he was quickly away but Tyrur Laurel was equally impressive after finding trouble and the pace he showed of the second bend was particularly eye catching.
Farloe Niall justified favouritism in heat 18 at 5/4, whilst Mustang Garcia got the better of a flat Rio Quando in heat 19. There seemed to be no real excuses for Danny Riordan’s dog and it will be interesting to see how much improvement there is when he lines up for the second round.
Irish Derby winner Tyrur Rhino produced a classy performance to take heat 20 by one and a quarter lengths from Droopys Tobey. Charlie Lister’s dog ran wide but soon led and had the race in the bag down the back straight.
Barnfield Slippy took heat 21 for Sam Poots, whilst Kilkenny Lonjack was the winner of heat 22 for Seamus Cahill. Both won with the minimum of fuss and it will be interesting to see how the draw works out for them on Monday afternoon.
The final heat of the round saw former ante-post favourite Tyrur Kieran regain his position at the head of the market with a smooth success from an unfavourable draw in three.
Paul Hennessy’s dog was smartly away and was first to the bend before cutting across and railing well to score in 28.78. He is now 8/1 favourite for the Derby and is clearly on top of his game at the moment.
Blue Square Greyhound Derby – sponsors bet: 8 Tyrur Kieran, 10 Catunda Harry, 12 Farloe Reason, 14 Advantage Johnny, Barnfield On Air, 16 Westmead Lord, Tyrur Rhino, Tyrur Laurel, Ninja Jamie, 20 Rio Quando, Romeo Maldini, 25 Bubbly Totti, Kilkenny Lonjack, Melodys Pat, Kryptonite, 33 bar.
From the Blue Square Web Site with thanks.