Three in the final for Seamus Cahill, two for Charlie Lister, three from the same litter, the survival of fastest first round winner Droopys Bonucci and the elimination of Dorotas Wildcat were the big talking points of Thursday’s Ladbrokes Puppy Derby semi finals at Monmore.
The opening heat saw Charlie Lister’s Dorotas Woo Hoo (Ballymac Vic-Droopys Danneel, May 15) go to trap six at 8-11f though he would be made to work for it after missing his break. In what turned out to be a three-way battle it was Farloe Thor (T2 11-4) who took up the early lead with the eventual winner and Bridgehouse Boy (T5 7-1) in close contention. The leader clealy doesn’t see out the 480 metres and he was nabbed by Woo Hoo and Boy who crossed the line separated by a short head in 28.24 (all heats -30)
The second semi final featured the fastest heat winner in Droopys Bonucci (T5 4-5f) though he failed to get a clear run in the early stages. The early leader was the red jacketed 2-1 shot Dorotas Woo Hoo (Ballymac Vic-Droopys Danneel, May 15). He was pursued by Azzurri Genesis (T2 5-1) with the favourite who moved closer from the second bend onwards but was not able to make his challenge until coming off the last bend. Despite a late surge by Bonucci, the Lister trained Hooligan held on by a short head in 28.10.
Dorotas Wildcat (T5 4-6f) was expected to complete a treble for the litter. But after a modest break he checked into yet another litter brother, the striped jackted Forest Con (Ballymac Vic-Droopys Danneel, May 15) who then took up the running. The Seamus Cahill trained 5-2 chance would be followed home by Crossfire Giles (T2 4-1) in 28.15.
Draw for the final: 1) Crossfield Giles, 2 Dorotas Hooliga, 3) Bridge House Boy (M), 4) Droopys Bonucci (W), 5) Dorotas Woo Hoo (W), 6) Forest Con (W)
