It seems like only yesterday that the announcement came that Nottingham were to be the hosts of the 2019 English Derby. Backed by a team of sponsors in Star Sports, ARC and LPS, we are now just over a week away from the first round heats. If the recent trial sessions and trialstakes opens that have been staged at Colwick Park are any kind of indication, we are all in for something special.
I spoke to a whole host of personalities from the sport to get their opinions on who are their fancied runners to lift the most famous trophy in greyhound racing on Saturday 29th June 2019.
Kevin Hutton lifted the trophy aloft at Towcester last year when landing the final with Dorotas Wildcat.
He said “Obviously Wildcat is the main man for us and remains by far the best dog we’ve ever put a lead on. I do fancy Magical Bale to go a long way in the competition though, his trials have been excellent but the exciting thing is there is so much more to come from him.
“Away from our kennel I watched a dog of Liam Dowling’s trial around Nottingham on Tuesday, Ballymac Anton. He glided around the track and showed great pace throughout”.
Nottingham’s Peter Harnden has been winning Trial Stakes for fun with his small string of open runners and he said “I’ve really enjoyed the build up to the Derby so far.
It’s good to see some new and some old faces at the track again. The atmosphere is building with each passing week and I’m really looking forward to the competition starting now. It’s been good to win a few trial stakes.
“Salacres Vincent had a bit of a set back with illness for a short time but he’s well again now and won a trial stake a couple of weeks ago. He did well to reach the quarter final at Towcester last year, he’s that bit older now though, he knows the track well however and we’ve let him take his chance.
“Salacres Punch we’ve stepped up in trip from sprints and though the 500m tests him, he takes his races well and you’d not know he’d had a run the morning after. He’s used his early pace well to win trial stakes over the past couple of weeks.
“Forest Mike is proving to be a really nice dog for the kennel. We took him in for the Exodus Syndicate who want to have a bit of fun during the Derby. He’s a really lovely dog, well mannered and does everything right.
“He’s got good early and is a determined dog in front, he’ll keep finding and doesn’t like being passed easily. He’s won his first three races for us, all in Derby trial stakes, we and the lads are delighted. “He’ll go straight into the first round now, his preparation so far as races is concerned is complete.
“I’ve also put in Salacres Barley. We had real high hopes for Barley after his extremely unlucky defeat in last years Puppy Classic final. He’s been cursed with injury trouble though. Touch wood however, he’s starting to show signs that he’s coming back to himself.
“He was knocked out of the British Bred Scurry at Henlow last week but in all honesty that was a stepping stone towards full fitness. If we can get him through the first round or two, he’ll come forward greatly. “Away from our kennel I like the look of Liam Dowling’s Ballymac Anton, he’s a fine a specimen of a greyhound as you’ll see anywhere, has excellent early and all round pace.
“Harry Williams has a strong running dog on his hands in the shape of Pond Adonis, he’s a little draw dependent but he’ll be so difficult to keep out of the frame, at a biggish price he could be worth following”.
Chris Akers took over the Mudross kennels of Charlie Lister this year, having previously been a major player in the success gained by the kennel for many years.
Going it alone is a challenge for anybody and I’m sure Chris would be the first to admit that there have been tough times throughout his initial period.
He’s showing though that given the dogs he is just as capable of gaining the same kind of results that the kennel have been renowned for over many years.
There is no doubting that Martinstown Band is the current kennel star though, he looked special from the moment he arrived at the kennel but a difficult to detect injury initially held him back.
Chris managed to pinpoint the issue and ever since the dog hasn’t looked back.
He said: “I’m biased of course but I don’t see how you can take anything away from Band. Since getting over his injury the dog hasn’t done a thing wrong. He has a fastest time of the year of 29.33 for course and distance, this was done on March going, not the going we’re currently seeing.
“I’d like to have seen what a few of the more talked about greyhounds would have done on the same night. I’m not so sure they’d have got near to the time he did. His one downfall if I were really pushed would be a slight lack of early, though even that has improved lately.
“I honestly wouldn’t swap him for any other dog in the competition. Of course, we’ll need luck on ouur side in a competition of this magnitude, but don’t they all.
“I’ve got his brother here now too, Martinstown Hope, he’s a nice dog and stays well, though in honesty we probably got him into the kennel a little later than I’d have ideally liked.
“I’ll be disappointed if Band doesn’t go a long way though, he’s so genuine and tough and will be difficult to keep out of the qualifying places”.
John Mullins is no stranger to success and he gave me Saving Sonic and Rockmount Ozzy as two from his kennel that should go well.
Syndicate head Billy Brennan said “I’m looking for a good run from Lenson Blinder who should improve for each look at the track.
“I also like the look of Roxholme Jim for the Keightley team, he’s very unexposed but is already a Steel City Cup Finalist. He showed a lot more early zip in his last workout as well”.
Leading Irish trainer Peter Cronin said: “In all honesty, I don’t have a strong hand this year.
“Of the Irish trainers Graham Holland has a very strong hand, he has a real strong team of proper 575 yard dogs, dogs like Clonbrien Prince and Lenson Blinder, they will have to go deep into the competition.
“I do like Ballymac Anton of Liam Dowling’s and as a lively outsider people could do worse than take a look at Cushie Prince”.
Mark Wallis said “I was pleased with Brinkleys Poet on Monday.
“He stayed on much better this week and all of his old early pace seems to be intact. Seaglass Tiger could be one at a bigger price too that could go well”.
Paul Hennesey was the first Irish trainer to head to Nottingham for trials. “Our best two chances would be Jaytee Taylor and Boylesports Xtra.
“Don’t write off Panther though, he finds more than his fair share of trouble and would give you a heart attack at times with the way he runs, but he’s the type that with a bit of luck might just keep on qualifying. Away from our own runners, you can’t ignore Wildcat, what a dog he is and I really like Brinkleys Poet too, I actually trained the mother and grandmother of Poet so for sentimental reasons i’d like to see him do well”.
Carl Perry is currently enjoying a well deserved break in Las Vegas but he took time out to say: “I’ve had a few small interests in the ante post market. I’ve really liked the look of Rab’s King Lennon.
“He looks well suited to the track and distance. I really like Magical Bale and though bitches are always up against it, I do have a lot of faith in our Geelo Blissful.
“She’s a quality bitch and is coming forward with each run, her trial on Tuesday of 29.64 off an excellent 4.99 split, it was a big step in the right direction and I know there’s plenty yet to come. I certainly wouldn’t put anybody off a small bet in the top bitch market”.
Dave Clark of the Racing Post has developed a huge reputation as one of the leading judges in the game.
Dave fancies Jaytee Taylor and Bockos Doomie to go a long way in the competition. He said “The trial from Taylor was a big step forward this week, less exposed and not on all that many people’s radar just yet but Bockos Doomie is a quality animal and could be a dark one that has people sitting up and taking notice before too long”.
Tony Bullen is one of the shrewdest minds in greyhound racing and he put forward the Patrick Janssen trained Droopys Biker and also Lemon Ronald.
Henlow promoter Kevin Boothby puts up Dorotas Wildcat and King Turbo.
I spoke with Notingham’s own Nathan Corden; a man who has put countless hours into ensuring that this years Star Sports, ARC and LPS Derby is a success.
Nathan said “I was really impressed with Slippy Cian in his trial, he was beaten in a trial stakes on Monday but I’m sure he can put that behind him and can go a long way in the Derby.
“His early pace will serve him well from the wider draws he is guaranteed to get. Lemon Express has also caught my eye and at a bigger price could go well”.
Patrick Janssen’s told me “I really like Droopys Biker, he’s strong over this trip,it should suit ideally.
“I’ve entered Bockos Doomie too. He’s only a pup but he has really impressed me in his last two races at Hove”.
Pat Rosney said “I had a small bet on Martinstown Band a while back at 66/1. He really took my eye at Nottingham, his local knowledge will serve him well.
“I also added King Lennon to my small portfolio of bets too, he was 80/1 which really after his 29.30 trial a couple of weeks back was a bit of an insult to a dog with that kind of pace.
“It’s good to see Brinkleys Poet running well again, he’s a class dog and hopefully all of his injury problems are behind him. My only entry is Newinn Banger. We had a bit of a scare with him last week when he cut his foot at the pick up.
“Thankfully it was superficial and though we’ve had to work overtime to heal the cut up, it’s come on nicely. He’s a wide runner, which isn’t always ideal but he has ability and will get his box more often than not”.
Jason Barrasford may come across as the joker on RPGTV but beyond that he has a good knowledge of the game.
Jason said “I would really like to see Lenson Blinder go well for Len Ponder, he’s put a lot into the game over the years. A dog that impressed me the other week in a trial stake though was Roxholme Glory. He was held up initially at the second bend but once a gap opened up his back straight pace was something else”.
Rose Draper is a very familiar face on RPGTV and fancies one at a big price to go a long way in the competition. “I know Ballydoyle Frank well from Sheffield.
“His future looks sure to be over six bends but he looks like he could keep qualifying during the derby. He’ll have absolutely no issue with the tough 500m. From our own kennel, I’d have to favour Newinn Missile.
“He’s been running well and is definitely a better dog in competitive races than in trials. I also like the look of Wolfe from Graham Holland’s kennel, he’s some top class form around Shelbourne and should love the Nottingham circuit”.
Steve Fluin, long time supporter of the greyhound racing game and head of the Bubbly Club syndicate fancies Pond Adonis and Bubbly Bonanza to go well.
Local Nottingham trainer Colin Wilton is developing a growing reputation as a shrewd judge and he says “People are seemingly forgetting about Droopys Verve.
“He’s second favourite for the competition but somehow he seems to be going under the radar a little. He’s all class and will go very well. King Lennon took my eye in his trials recently. I have a small share in Piemans Star which is trained by Dave Mullins.
“He lacks experience but is a talented sort and won a trial stakes on Monday. He could be one for the top puppy markets”.
Mark Burridge of Burridge Trophies has had a few small wagers on Magical Bale, Martinstown Band, Droopys Davy and also believes Sidaz Jet could be a lively outsider.
Mark also heads the syndicate who own Comeonyoubees, trained by Matt Dartnall. Mark said “We know we’re up against it with Bees’, she really hasn’t seemed quite at home at Nottingham as she has been at Hove. We’ve entered her though and will hopefully give the syndicate a bit of fun”.
Matt Dartnall himself said “I’m hoping we can get Rising Brandy back to something like his best form from last year.
“If we can get through the first couple of rounds I truly believe he’ll come on in leaps and bounds. You’ve got to respect Dorotas Wildcat though, what a dog he is, Sporting Dave should go well too”.
The Racing Post’s Jim Cremin has been busy at work at Nottingham this week and plans on being a regular throughout the Derby.
Jim always pens interesting, thoughtful and knowledgeable articles and he told me “You’ve got to show respect to Wildcat and Lenson Blinder, but they’re priced accordingly, maybe even a little on the short side.
“I’ll go with two less exposed sorts that fall into the ‘could be anything category’. Bockos Doomie and Piemans Star. Both are currently huge odds but could surprise.
The affable Damien Matthews has been a regular sight at Nottingham over the past couple of weeks and told me “In my view the odds look heavily stacked in favour of the UK dogs.
“Nottingham looks a track that you will improve at with each passing week. I’ve entered Ribchester. He run the track terribly wide on his first look, though was much better in his second trial. He’s been showing good early but has been dropping coming home.
“I’m not overly confident at this stage but if I can get him past a couple of rounds he should strengthen up.
“Of the Irish contingent, I like Wolfe from Graham Holland’s kennel and I also like Ballymac Syd for Liam Dowling.
Owner Tony Clark will have Scottish Derby hero Dorotas Woo Hoo running in the competition.
Tony said: “He’s coming forward with each week. The Derby is a tough competition though, let’s just see how he goes. There’s no pressure on him or the Keightley’s at all, he’s actually not long back from stud duties. I do fancy his brother Wildcat to go very well again and Martinstown Band for Chris Akers is a dog I like a lot”.
Rab McNair said “This has to be one of the best English teams I can ever remember.
“There is so much class throughout the ranks it’s unreal, people are talking about the Irish team, bring it on is what I say. Droopys Expert and Verve for Jimmy Wright, our own King Turbo, they’re all quality greyhounds that will not be beaten easily.
“I’m delighted with how King Lennon has gone in his trials though, I know a few of the local judges availed themselves of big prices after his 480m trial, Brendan has had a bit on as well. It would be some party if that lad pulled it off. I have my final trials at the weekend, after that, it’s all systems go for the first round”.
Jimmy Wright has a host of top class greyhounds at his disposal. A kennel that most people can only ever dream of.
Jimmy has not gone for the obvious though and has attempted to highlight two greyhounds from outside his own kennel which he believes will go well. Burgess Bucks trained by Pat Buckley is the first, Bucks trialled well at Nottingham on the 9th May, recording 2951 (normal) off the back of a sensational 494 split. The second greyhound highlighted by Jimmy is Liz and Rab McNair’s King Turbo.
Last but by no means least I spoke to Jason Gander, greyhound odds compiler for sponsor Star Sports. Jason said “I really like a couple of the Irish trained dogs.
“I think Peter Cronin is one of the shrewdest trainers around and out of his crop I like Worseforwear. I like the profile of the dog and his trials have been more than acceptable.
“Good Champ is another dog that has maybe gone under the radar a little but has serious pace. He has a 2848 on the card at Clonmel, that’s some run. He’s not the quickest to the turn, but if he can hold his pitch around the opening turns he’s a big player in any heat he turns up in.
“My main fancy would be Slippy Cian. He should be a better dog this year, trialled well and though he was beaten on Monday night in a trial stake, i’m prepared to write that run off as a few of Graham’s dogs under performed on the night.
“We’re all looking forward to the competition starting now and getting up to Nottingham”.
My thanks for everybody who has given their input into this article. Personally, I’m with King Lennon and Pond Adonis, if either of those two make the final, I’ll be delighted
“They both look like they’ll be difficult to keep out of the frame throughout the competition.
