Forest Natalee was a superstar on the track and she’s producing superstars off it too. The daughter of Droopys Danneel won the Sporting Press Irish Oaks in 2017 and there was always good chance that she would continue the sensational work of her mother in the breeding paddocks. In Signet Ace she has produced a greyhound that her mother would most definitely approve of. A sensational greyhound who has it all. Trapping ability , early and middle pace and see’s out every inch of 500m. Greyhounds like this don’t come around too often and there is no wonder that there is a smile on the face of trainer and part owner Kevin Hutton whenever his name is mentioned. Heading into the £6500 to the winner category one Arena Racing Company Eclipse Final unbeaten after flawless displays in heat and semi final the race looked there for the taking so long as he could find yet another professional break. In the hands of Kevin Hutton was there ever much doubt that would be forthcoming ? The abandonment of last week’s meeting and the delaying of the final by a full week couldn’t have been ideal but Ace didn’t appear in any way effected. Flying from the lids he crossed the line in another absolutely rapid sectional of 4.80 and though kennel mate Forest Gold briefly appeared in the wing mirrors heading down the back straight this race was over as a contest with the only thing to be decided the winning time. That was an eventual 2941 (+20) as Ace pulled further and further clear with every passing stride. Nathan Hunt’s Broadstrand Ryan eventually finding a way through the pack to come through for second place but the night belonged to Signet Ace who deservedly added the 2021 category one Eclipse title to the Winter Derby and Select Stakes titles already on his cv. With final appearances in both the Ladbrokes Gold Cup and Bresbet Steel City Cup his claims for Greyhound Of The Year are clear and would top off a memorable year for Kevin Hutton and fellow owner Mark Gilbert. Trainer Kevin Hutton was understandably delighted with the performance of his superstar greyhound and said “It was a flawless performance absolutely foot perfect. I’d have been a little concerned about the week’s delay in the running of the final with some dogs but it was never really a worry with this lad. He goes well fresh and the week off did him no harm at all. It probably worked against our other runner however as Forest Gold does like to be kept on the go. We’ll give him a well earned break now and look to get him back for the Blue Riband at Towcester followed all being well with a defence of the Winter Derby at Monmore and another crack at the Derby itself. We’ve always held him in the highest regard , you don’t clock 2802 on your debut at Monmore unless you’re out of the top drawer and thought he was good enough to win the Derby this year but he’s ended up drawing trap 1 in his quarter final and it’s not really where you want to be there. All being well he looks set to have a great year in 2022”.
Signet Ace on his way to 2021 Eclipse Final Glory (pic Steve Nash)
The National Sprint first round heats also took place at Nottingham’s Colwick Park stadium last night and though there might not have been the strength in depth to the competition that we’ve seen in years gone by there were still some nice pacey greyhounds showcasing there brute early pace. Patrick Janssens Scurry Gold Cup Winner Crossfield Dusty set down a high class marker with his dominant 1758 fastest of the night performance in heat one. Angela Harrison’s lightly raced Coolavanny Galiv backed up a promising course and distance trial with a 1784 success in heat two whilst Gerry Ballentine’s Noels Fleck made full use of his rails draw to take heat 3 in 1799. Paul Donovan made the trip up to the midlands worthwhile as his Tinreach Jet ran out a comfortable winner of heat 4 in 1771 whilst Across The Field had to battle a little harder for his maiden UK victory in heat 5 for Kim Billingham although only a length slower in 1779. Shrewd Call is one of the most popular greyhounds in the UK and always has plenty of support when lining up in his races. Given that he’s now always the fastest from traps his winning record of 50% showcases what a classy sort he is. He did give supporters a little bit of a worry in the final heat of the night however as even by his standards he left plenty at the start. With plenty of room to run though he was in front by the bend and his winning time of 1779 was some effort for David Mullins greyhound given the aforementioned early blip. He looks the main danger for outright honours to Crossfield Dusty at this stage but he’ll need to remember the trapping boots for a semi final that will take a little more winning than last night’s heat did.
2021 National Sprint Semi Final Results
