Connections of Bubbly Bluebird (Droopys Sydney-Broadstrand Xola, Sep 14) will presumably have even more interest in next year’s Derby venue than the rest of us after the powerful blue proved a worthy winner of Nottingham’s Puppy Blassic
While the set-up of the race gave him an ideal opportunity to show off his talent – it also presented the 4-5f with a golden opportunity to blemish his record. Indeed the blue jacket was slightly less visible than Kildallon Bolt’s white hap at trap rise. But like some of the illustrious previous winners of the event, such as Droopys Shearer, Newinn Yolo and Top Savings, Bluebird’s race style is based on continuous acceleration to the turn. He crossed the sectional in exact unison (5.07) with Heather Dimmock’s Bolt (7-2) but was going the quicker and hit the bend in front.
The benefit of the inner route worked in his favour with Bolt unable to run his preferred line, but coming off the second bend, Bluebird found another gear. He was extending his lead long before Newinn Shadow (T5 7-2) joined the party at the third. Seamus Cahill’s runner was the luckiest dog in the race. He was crowded at the start, checked at the second, barring which he would have presumably found himself as the closest challenger at the third bend.
As it was though, Bluebird had earned his right to a clear passage and came home just under six lengths clear of Kildallon Bolt with Vatican Venice far from disgraced in third. The winner’s time was 29.75 (+30); his seventh consecutive win from only eight races.
