English Greyhound Derby semi final night…where dreams take a massive step towards becoming reality…..yet the most heart breaking of steps at which to crash out of the most famous competition of them all. Mark Pierrepont previews –
There is no doubting that De Lahdedah is the leading contender for outright glory amongst Liam Dowling’s trio of contenders still in the competition. A ten time race winner in top class company on Irish soil he possesses a frightening array of gears with pace at all stages of this four bend distance. Success in each of the first two rounds was followed by a head defeat to Crafty Shivoo in the third round in what was one of the races of the Derby to date. There is little doubt he had a little luck on his side when qualifying in third position from last week’s quarter finals but luck is needed at times along with talent and that he has in abundance. There were excuses last week as he was squeezed for room after a poor start and then struggled for a run from the back of the pack before taking advantage of crowding upfront to sweep into a qualifying spot. Better drawn against the rail tonight there will be no excuses as he looks to cement his place in next weeks main event.
Patrick Janssens is no stranger to Derby success here at Towcester and though his Edwards has gone off at big odds in each of the last two rounds after success in each of the first two he’s done what all good dogs do and that’s find a way to qualify. Reaching the final would be some achievement but he couldn’t be in better hands and the man from Belgium is sure to have him in peak condition.
Graham Holland’s Gaytime Nemo is the defending champion and loves this venue as much as any and has looked as good as ever during this years campaign. Nemo overcame a very poor start in last weeks quarter final and stuck on gamely to just touch off Crafty Shivoo for a qualifying spot. Nothing short of his best will do once again as he attempts to seal a final sport for the second consecutive year but it would be a fool who said he couldn’t do so with one of the leading trainers of his generation on side.
Mark Wallis’s Whyaye Man is a vastly underrated performer in many quarters who always performs at his best no matter what the level of opposition. He ran out a superb winner of the Derby Plate over course and distance last year and reached the final of the Blue Riband here in January. Again in top class hands he’s going to have to put up another performance from the top drawer but of that he is most certainly capable.
Maxine Locke’s Cross Tokyo is winless from fourteen career starts and that almost certainly isn’t a coincidence. What is also not a coincidence however is that he has finished second on no less than eight occasions and third on a further four. He is extremely difficult to keep out of the frame with his customary strong and late finishes and though he will need to dig as deep as he ever has done into his reserves of stamina he is sure to do so. Once again will be a huge price in against top quality opposition but a qualifying spot in next weeks final is far from beyond him.
Last but by no means least in the first semi final is Paul Hennessy’s Boylesports Bob. An ultra strong runner who keeps himself to himself he put up arguably the performance of his career in last week’s quarter final when destroying his opposition by fully 10 1/2 lengths in a top class 2868. This wide running son of Good News can be hit and miss at the start and wouldn’t want to be giving opposition of this calibre too much of a start but he’s another with a terrific attitude and if anywhere near the pace approaching halfway will take a lot of keeping out of the frame. Selection 1-5-6
Betting guide 11/8 16/1 7/2 20/1 25/1 11/8
Just one greyhound remains unbeaten in the competition that being Liz McNair’s superstar British Bred performer King Memphis. Word has it that Memphis is poorly drawn in the second semi final and there were audible gasps from those in attendance at the draw last weekend in the Boothby suite. There is no doubting that trap 4 is far from ideal however it’s worth remembering that is the box in which he emerged from as he set about his first round demolition job on route to a new track record. What are the biggest dangers to Memphis as he attempts to secure his place in next weeks grand final ?
Well for starters he has 2023 Irish Derby Champion The Other Kobe drawn to his inside and he for one will not be giving up ground easily. Having landed the Irish Derby Final in September of last year Kobe hadn’t been seen in public. Fast forward to 28th April this year and he appeared once more with his eyes firmly set upon the English crown.
There was a new trainer at the end of the lead however but with that being one Graham Holland there could be no question raised as to the ability of his new handler. There is no questioning that the now veteran in racing terms retains all of his youthful enthusiasm with an initial trial stakes victory followed up by emphatic success in each of the first three round prior to being picked up close home in his quarter final engagement by Liam Dowling’s strong running youngster Ballymac Slick. Kobe’s chance is clear to all he simply must lead and if he does he puts a question mark against the qualification of Memphis however if he’s not in front early then his own progress must surely be in significant doubt. A race within a race which provides huge interest on the run to the Towcester first bend.
Drawn against the rail is Liam Dowling’s Ballymac Gizmo a young greyhound who might just have gone under the radar slightly. He holds a lofty reputation with his trainer albeit with the caveat that he still have plenty of learning to do. That he is doing however as he’s found a way to qualify through to this stage courtesy of second place finishes in the opening two rounds prior to finishing third in both the third and quarter final stages respectively. If Kobe front’s off don’t rule out Gizmo tracking him round before unleashing a power packed late finish.
Maxine Locke’s Droopys Pivotel as an August 2022 whelp is the youngest greyhound remaining in the competition. Not a mark on his card on Irish soil Pivotel had raced just three times prior to embarking upon his English Derby campaign. It was some ask of the pup but he has proven his connections belief in him to be well founded with a string of performances from the top drawer most notably his eye catching victory in round three. He faces no enviable task here however as he is the proverbial meat in the sandwich of Kobe and Memphis a task that no seasoned greyhound would relish never mind a pup making just his eighth competitive start. He will need luck to the turn but if he finds it he will have earned every drop.
Liam Dowling is doubly represented here with his Ballymac Slick donning the orange jacket. A July 2022 son of Ballymac Cooper he was an obviously talented sort on Irish soil but his run of 11 races without victory was becoming a habit he needed to get out of. The galloping nature of Towcester has really seen Slick begin to realise his potential with a strong running first round success followed up with victories in both his third round and quarter final engagements whilst his runner up spot behind Crafty Shivoo in the second round was not to shabby either. He’s another who will need a small dose of luck on his side in the early stages but will be rattling home from halfway.
Last but by no means least is a greyhound who has been trained to perfection by a team synomonous with English Derby success. Richard Rees has his sights on emulating the achievements of his grandfather Phil and father Phillip in winning the Derby in 1976 and 1985 respectively. Richard has knocked on the door in recent years with Southwood Jet reaching the 2020 final at Nottingham whilst Cochise out ran his double figure odds in the corresponding race here at Towcester in 2023. Injury has maybe prevented Churchfield Syd from achieving even more than he has done in a hugely successful career to date but connections have always ensured that he will be afforded as much time as needed to ensure that when he does hit the track he’s at the top of his form. Third and second place finishes in the opening two rounds have been followed up with trademark early paced victories in his third round and quarter final place engagements. He will need a flyer from out wide but the greyhound with the heart of a lion will not be easily reeled in if he does skip around in front. Selection 4-5-1
Betting guide 20/1 3/1 12/1 1/1 11/2 11/2
Full form for the whole card at Towcester this evening can be found by clicking here.
