BRITISH PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK

Some cracking performances in the Derby third round and given their identical times, it would be impossible to split All About Ted and Deerject Sydney.

Tough decisions too at Crayford where Alaskan Dawn went one spot quicker than last week to retain his title, though Bo Shine Bullet showed tremendous first bend courage to seize her semi in three spots slower.

Some 29 minutes before Signet Ace’s Derby heat win, litter brother Signet Mafia was setting the fastest sprint run at Monmore since Droopys Reel’s 15.06 run 16 months previously. (Look out too for flying November pup Tromora Birdie – 28.31)

There was some good open race action at Newcastle and Doncaster on Wednesday. Angela Harrison landed the BGBF British Bred Maiden Derby with A2 runner Alnwick Matt. The hours though have to go to kennelmate Droopys Dazzler following an even more impressive 28.49 open race win.

Even more impressive – from a mere 18 month old in the second race of his career – was the 29.42 FOY victory of Trumps Benefit at Doncaster. Or the 27.28 (-20) Sunderland run by the similarly aged Skywalker Stan to land the ARC Puppy Trophy Final.

The Nottingham Monday night opens have taken a bit of a hit by the Derby but local veteran Plaza Lep, third behind Ice On Fire and King Sheeran in the 2019 Eclipse Final, showed his powers haven’t faded too badly with a FOW 30.21 run.

Returning to the subject of the Derby, there will no doubt be a string of eliminated runners preparing to try their luck over the short six bend trip at Romford. Puppy Blueberry Bullet, who won her last Towcester A3 event in 29.79 has made the transition already and clocked an impressive 35.04 in her second attempt at the 575m course on Friday.

Moving onto the graded scene and Perry Barr’s top event of the week saw an A2 clash between two former POW winners in Ucannotbeserious and Takemyhand. It was John Lambe’s pup who came out in front with a 28.77 run.

Meanwhile at Hove, Freeky Pumbaa found four spots on last week’s POW time as he continues his game of ‘I dare you to grade me’ with the racing manager. Since late May, Pumbaa leads 5:1.

Compare and contrast with the week’s hardest decision. Two Sheffield A2 winners in Sandwood Buster (29.01) and Student Prince (29.02) or 29.15 A1 winner Ballyboss Con? We’ve edged to the latter, but are not expecting unanimous approval.

Not that Yarmouth was much easier with two hounds clocking the joint fastest time of the week. Offshore Falcon recorded his 27.70 on marginally faster going and in A2. Native Flower picked off an A1 and has a recent record of four wins and a second in his last five. Kinsley’s fastest run for the similar distance went to A2 winner Corona Lady.

There was never any doubt which race the Pelaw Grange nomination would come from – the A1 featuring reigning champ Pingoutaston and arguably the fastest hound at the track, Gortcloass Pamer. But a new star emerged in the 26.03 winner Marinas Artist.

The Harlow performer of the week is surely trainer Ian Wills who sent out seven winners on Sunday’s card? The tracker? Possibly D1 winner Killuran Seanie.

We labeled last Sunday’s Henlow A1 as the best graded race of the week. Three of the runners who finished behind Rail McCoy – Jet Stream Socks, Drumcrow Bruce and All About Taylor were in opposition again this week but once again found one to good for them in Muxton Teddy.

The week ended in regular fashion with the Sunday night meetings at Central Park and Swindon. The latter was devoid of any open events which left a shoot-out between two Angie Kibble trained winners. Sayyousayme (28.52) had the marginal advantage on the clock, but is edged out by September pup Magical Hulk who was completing an A3-A2-A1 hat-trick.

While down in Kent, easily the fastest 480 winner Chasing Turkey is just given the edge over the 500 winner Not Too Late, though the latter looks destined to become a regular name in this feature.