The elimination of ante post favourite Coolavanny Shado was the major talking point of the delayed semi finals of the PGR Eclipse at Nottingham on Monday night.
Patrick Janssens’ fastest first round winner was exposed as being draw dependent with his lack of experience cruelly exposed after he missed the break and lacked the track craft to keep himself out of trouble.
The race was dominated by Aran Dunn’s Aero Dylan who enjoyed an absolute solo on the outside of the track following the non-arrival of anticipated orange jacketed Signet Goofy*. The 1-5f was crowded when attempting to move to rail and showed tremendous pace along the backstraight before once again being unable to cleanly pass other dogs and he eventually finished last. Dylan was the slowest of the three winners in 29.91.
Quickest on the night was Puppy Classic winner Distant Podge who led home litter sister Distant Emma for a 1-2 for owner Peter Band and trainer Barrie Draper. That is six wins and two seconds from nine races for the 29.63 winner.
There was some consolation for Janssens when Oaks winner Slick Sakina gallantly held off Bockos Palace to complete a six timer in 29.76.
(*Signet Goofy’s non appearance was due to a vehicle breakdown. Trainer John Mullins said: “We got as far as Cambridge and the computer on the vehicle stopped working. We’ve managed to get the van back home by bypassing the computer and will get it fixed during the week. It is very disappointing given what happened to the favourite in the race. Instead thought it gives us a chance to go to Sheffield for the British Bred Derby.)
