The leading fancies were well spread out following the first round draw for the Star Sports English Greyhound Derby which gets underway next Thursday June 1.
The first night sees the appearance of Clares Rocket (ht4) with an interesting draw in four. He has his slow breaking kennelmate Slippery Louise ideally placed on his outside. Another kennelmate Garryvoe Bobby goes earlier on the same card – heat 2 – in the blue box. The draw was not particularly helpful either to the popular Droopys Buick (T4 ht 7).
Friday’s card sees kicks off with the talented Droopys Woo Hoo (guaranteed T6). Heat 15 is another cracker with Graham Holland’s pair Ballinclare Clare and Drive On Tipp taking on the fast trialist Black Zack.
Howvever the race of the night is surely heat 16 where Bruisers Bullet, Bubbly Bluebird and Newinn Shadow – quite possibly three of the six fastest runners in the event – will square off. T4 looks a horrendous draw for Bluebird though fortuitously, he has trialled twice in black. There is another cracker in heat 19 where Irish star Coolavanny Mason takes on top pup Fweshfromthesesh. Former track record holders Dorotas Wildcat and Madabout Eoghan both go from black in heats 18 and 20 respectively. And nobody will be leaving early with Laurels winner and top sprinter Hiya Butt attempting to defy 500 metres in heat 21.
The feature of Saturday night’s card is heat 25 which features six Irish runners including an English Derbywinner (Jaytee Jet) taking on a beaten Irish Derby favourite (Sonic). Monmore Puppy Derby winner Forest Con goes in heat 28. The great Ballymac Matt goes in heat 29 where he takes on exciting youngster Droopys Bonucci and 29.17 trialist Silverhill Conor.
