The Derby – Friday Heats 11 – 21 Full Form & Preview

Liz McNair’s HAVANA LOVER will undoubtedly take the beating here from what on paper looks a terrific make up.  One of the fastest bitches in training here in the UK she put a way below par Maiden Derby semi-final run behind her with a swift return to form when next appearing in a Derby trial stake here at Towcester.  She may not possess the wicked early of some but this is a race where a level enough break should see her laying plenty close enough heading onto the back straight from which point she can really begin to open up.  Liam Dowling’s Ballymac Belvult is a pacey and strong running type but doesn’t win as often as he should.  He is the type to keep qualifying throughout competitions however and he can chase the selection home for second.  Pat Buckley’s lightly raced Bobsleigh Dream trialled well enough but in a manner which suggested there is plenty left to come and he can take the third and final qualifying spot in the second-round draw.

One of if not THE heat of the first round.  A sensational race which no true greyhound racing enthusiast will want to miss.  A race to watch and savour rather than bet in from my perspective at least however those wishing to get financially involved will be rewarded with prices not likely to be seen too often about their selections.  SINGALONG SALLY for Pat Buckley needs no introduction a superstar bitch of the very highest order.  Runner up behind Susie Sapphire in last year’s Irish Derby Final Sally heads into this year’s Derby having secured herself free entry and travel when landing the high class ‘win and you’re in’ race held on Kirby Final night at Limerick a few weeks ago.  Sally’s 2957 trial here last time can be upgraded somewhat with a stumble start accounting for the poor 436 split.  It won’t be easy Sally needs to ping and secure her preferred rails position early however trainer Buckley knows that and I’m sure he’ll have her fired up enough to get across.  Part Blake looked a superstar in the making last year and retains a high level of form but at present looks a decent dog without maybe quite being at the superstar level some suspected he’d make.  In the hands of Graham Holland though there is every chance he will progress over the coming weeks.

Mark Wallis’s BALTERIO knows every inch of this circuit and is already a five-time winner around here.  He has good all-round pace and plough his usual wide course to secure victory here.  Sharon Thompson’s Master Ten Ten returns to Towcester after a couple of efforts around Romford over 575m recently.  He’s a nice type and looked sure to progress into a real Derby contender but he’s been found wanting on a few occasions and it may well be that the shorter six bend trips are where his future now lie if he’s to realise his full potential.  That said he deserves his entry and in a race which won’t take as much winning as some other first round heats it would be surprising if he didn’t prove to be the main danger to the selection.

Trained by Declan McDonagh over in Ireland superbly well FAST FIT PADDY recently arrived at the kennel of Seamus Gaughan for a crack at the English Derby.  He looks set to be ideally suited by the test that Towcester provides with his excellent early pace complimented by his ability to see out every yard of the testing four bend trip.  His two course and distance trials have been excellent with the most recent clocking of 2937 done so off the back of a rapid 405 split.  He’s ideally housed to ping out and make every post a winning one here with Richard Yeates Lanzo fancied to run on for second.

Kevin Hutton’s SIGNET ACE is simply sensational a greyhound right out of the top drawer with early and middle pace to die for.  He’s got stronger with age and he can turn this race into a done deal by securing a good lead from the outset.  Pat Buckley’s Glengar Scholar should get a nice tow in behind the selection and should finish a comfortable enough runner up with Seamus Cahill’s Lasair Breno keeping on wide to take third place.

Peter Cronin couldn’t have been more pleased with the performances of his EMILYS JET at Towcester in recent weeks.  Heading over to the UK without a win in four starts on Irish soil he gained the first win of his career over the Derby course and distance in 2938 a few weeks ago.  He’s since posted 2929 in a trial off the back of a 417 split.  He’s well housed to take this in all the way style with Liam Dowling’s Ballymac Ben also well positioned on the outside of the track to follow the selection home in second.

Pat Buckley’s SCARTY YANK can showcase why so many shrewd judges have been talking up his chances in recent weeks.  Equally as capable of running some huge races either from off the front or the middle of the pack he can land this heat in emphatic fashion.  George Cunningham’s Narcos Dude stays every yard of this trip and more and can follow the selection home to fill the forecast spot with Tom Heilbron’s Freedom Alibi who isn’t particularly well drawn right against the fence qualifying in third.

Peter Cronin’s extremely lightly raced KILDARE can land his first-round heat in good style.  He might not be ideally placed to ping from the boxes but a level enough break should see him secure a comfortable enough first bend lead.  From there on in it should be a race against the clock for a youngster who recorded an excellent 2921 on what was his so far only look around the Derby venue.  Heading into the recent Kirby around Limerick unraced he justified the faith shown in him by connections by reaching the final where he finished third despite missing the kick.  Sure to improve as this competition progresses there are plenty fancying his chances and for good reason too.  Carol Weatherall’s Trumps Benefit can run on for second with Icemans Savana finishing third.

Michael O’Donovan’s COOLAVANNY CALVN looks a superstar in the making and has everything needed within his armoury to become one of the scenes leading competition greyhounds on either side of the Irish sea.  Wins around Shelbourne Park in 2821 and 2824 showcase his huge engine perfectly whist a moderate enough 2962 trial around here recently was followed up with a much more like it 2918 (+10) effort next time around.  To win though he will have to take care of business against the reigning champion and UK superstar Thorn Falcon trained by Patrick Janssens.  It should be a terrific race and there may not be much between them at the finish but it’s Calvn to get the upper hand on this occasion at least.

BALLINABOLA ED had been well touted for some time by team Buckley as a pup of the very highest calibre.  That was showcased to the general public in no uncertain terms when he routed his opposition around Tralee on Lee Strand final night setting a new track record around the Kerry venue of 2803.  It was some effort from the youngster and though his 2942 trial effort around here was pleasing enough he gave the impression there was plenty left in the locker yet.  Likely to improve throughout for a trainer who has been there and done it in Derby company on both sides of the Irish sea he looks set to go a long way into the competition.  Global Vision can take second place for another trainer with English Derby glory on his CV Seamus Cahill.

CAPE CLOUD might well find things tough as the Derby progresses but this is a first-round heat which could well see him landing a nice touch.  Perfectly housed there should be no excuses with him fancied to smash out the lids and make all for Peter Cronin.  Richard Rees Whats Up Eva is well placed against the rail to follow the selection home for second.