The inaugural English Greyhound Derby Final at Nottingham greyhound stadium headlines an outstanding card this evening. Generously sponsored by Star Sports Bookmakers, Arena Racing Company and Local Parking Security, those lucky enough to be among the sell-out crowd are in for an evening that they are unlikely to forget in a hurry.
The Farloe Verdict Puppy Trophy over 480m gets the evening underway at 645pm. Gary Ferguson has been putting in the miles over the past months with regular trips south from his Scottish base, his efforts can prove fruitful though with the opening winner on tonight’s card courtesy of his early paced star Adis Abebba. After winning his first round heat of the Derby impressively, he was eliminated when finishing fifth in the second round. Though he’s since suffered two further defeats when twice finishing in fourth position behind Geelo Blissful and Ice On Fire respectively, you could hardly say he was disgraced on either occasion. With the greatest of respect to tonight’s opponents, all good class greyhounds in their own rights, there isn’t a Geelo Blissful or Ice On Fire on display here and a decent break can soon see him skip clear and set sail for victory.
Latest betting: 9-4 Market Call, 3-1 Antigua Rum, 5-1 Deanridge Kane, 6-1 Perrys Choice, 6-1 Asia Adebba, 12-1 Burgess Nick
The Bresmed Sprint Trophy is next up at 703pm and what a line up. Swift Biscuit in one for John Mullins, a winning machine who’s early pace once his feet touch the floor is something else. In two is Swift Taxman, a local star for Lynn Cook who ran brilliantly throughout the 2018 Eclipse culminating in a final appearance. In three is Harry William’s Allowdale Bruno, his class not in question.
A magnificent winner of the 2018 Sunderland Classic, he then went on later in the year to reach the final of the All England Cup at Newcastle. As many trials as races since, however he showcased his well being with a 1789 solo trial around this venue last week. In four is Peter Harnden’s Salacres Punch. A huge greyhound with a huge reputation. As fast as anything in the country to the turn when timing his break correctly, he’s a danger to all with a break. In five is Dave Mullins Troy Bella, a finalist in the National Sprint in 2018 around this venue, he recently made the final of the Kent Silver Salver prior to being unfortunately withdrawn ‘bitten’.
Troy has shown himself back to form with a vengeance over the past couple of weeks at Central Park however, finishing second beaten just 1/2 a length behind Lazy Man on his comeback run prior to beating that same rival next time out by 3/4 length. He loves this track. In six is Paul Young’s highly rated youngster Bubbly Spark. A dog with huge early pace, a semi finalist in the Monmore Puppy Derby prior to making the final of the Henlow Maiden Derby. This dog has a touch of class and showed himself in good form with a personal best 1784 trial over course and distance last time out.
In what is a terrific race where all six greyhounds can lay claims, i’m siding with a dog I obviously know very well. Salacres Punch can trap out and use his power and pace to land the spoils. This isn’t simply blind loyalty, Punch is a dog our kennel rate extremely highly, his trapping at times lets him down, when he does get it right though he’s a joy to watch.
Latest betting: 9-4 Swift Biscuit, 5-2 Troy Bella, 7-1 Swift Taxman, 8-1 Bubbly Spark, 10-1 Salacres Punch, Allowdale Bruno
The Star Sports British Bred Trophy is next up at 7.21pm. It’s a shame not to see any ‘Kings’ or ‘Queens’ in the line up but it is a good race all the same. Salacres Flyer can secure an early lead on the inside but it’s likely that something with a little bit more in the stamina department will be laying a bit too handy. I’m siding with Harry William’s Pond Adonis. He would prefer to be drawn a little nearer the rail than his trap 4 berth here, though I believe he can secure a pitch by the time the greyhounds head down the back straight and he should prove too strong on the run in.
Latest betting: 5-4 Pond Adonis, 5-1 Down To The Felt, 11-2 Alfies Prince, 7-1 Saving Face, 10-1 Salacres Flyer, 14-1 Bubbly Majestic
The RPGTV Puppy Trophy Final takes place at 7.39pm and it’s impossible to get away from Jimmy Fenwick’s sensational early paced flying machine Ice On Fire. Likely to be sent off a strong odds on favourite, he didn’t trap to the best of his ability in last weeks heat but still proved to have far too much early and middle in his armoury for his rivals to deal with. He can fly the lids from six and make every post a winning one. Although he’ll be coming back to the field late, it will be too little too late in my opinion with the damage already done from an early stage.
Latest betting: 4-7 Ice On Fire, 6-1 Droopys Carat, 8-1 Sonic Spur, 10-1 Sparta Master, 14-1 Trickys Dumbo, 33-1 Droopys Danny
Jimmy Fenwick can make it a quick fire double courtesy of Cooneen Jack in the Aston Lark Trophy at 7.57pm. Jack would prefer a draw nearer the middle of the track but if trapping on terms he can use his huge 38 kilo plus frame to hold his pitch into the bend before opening up and racing into an unsurpassable lead along the back straight. Jack reached the third round of the Derby prior to being eliminated in fifth position behind Dorotas Wildcat.
Latest betting: 11-4 Cooneen Jack, 7-2 Front Edge, 9-2 Ballymac Reds, 5-1 Kilara Tain Bo, 11-2 Droopys Shark, 5-1 Boylesports Boom
The RPGTV Stayers Final at 815pm is a competitive affair on paper but can go the way of Matt Dartnall’s Ela Juliet. This bitch see’s out the 680m trip well, is usually a reliable trapper and can be around the bend in the blink of an eye. Once in front Juliet shouldn’t be for catching. Diane Henry’s pacy Savana Volt can run on strongly to fill the forecast spot.
Latest betting: 9-4 Ela Juliet, 5-2 Antigua Fire, 6-1 Stardom, Drive On Betsy, 15-2 Sheldan, 10-1 Savana Volt
The Rising Brandy At Stud Trophy takes place over 305m at 833pm and can go the way of Julie Bateson’s Tree Top Jet. Ideally housed to ping from trap 3, Jet put up an excellent 1765 (+10) in a solo trial here last week. That was a terrific effort for what was his first look at the track. He can smash out and make all.
Latest betting: 9-4 Calzaghe Flash, 10-3 Tree Top Jet, 5-1 Geelo Brazza, 6-1 Fridays Geldof, 10-1 Bramble Milburn, Deadly Act
It’s the RPGTV Derby Plate at 851pm. This is a hugely competitive race on paper where all six greyhounds could lay claims to lifting the trophy. I’m siding with a dog that I believe is still somewhat under rated. Quantum Leap is perfectly housed in trap 6, with 5 dogs on his inside looking for the rail, he can make the most of his draw. If taking the lead he’s unlikely to be found wanting in the stamina department having regularly won races for his trainer Pam Dolby over 575m at Romford.
Latest betting: 13-8 Wolfe, 7-2 Roxholme Jim, 7-1 Quantum Leap, Nice Charmer, 8-1 Ballymac Osby, 25-1 Wildfire Jimmy
The Main Event. The Star Sports, ARC and LPS English Greyhound Derby Final. Six superstars of our sport line up at 910pm, all dreaming of landing the biggest honour in our sport. All sets of connections dreaming of lifting aloft that most famous of trophies.
In trap 1 is Magical Bale. Trained to perfection by 2018 Derby Winning trainer Kevin Hutton, Bale has been brought along to reach a peak steadily. After finishing second in his first round heat, Bale has been flawless ever since, winning each round with some amount of ease. He’s the greyhound they all have to beat despite what would appear a potentially tricky draw against the rail in trap one. Runner up in the 2018 Irish Derby Final, he will be looking to go one better here.
In trap 2 is Ballymac Tas for Liam Dowling. A sensational bitch who has improved with each passing round. Despite not having won a round so far, Tas has ran with huge credit and done the fairer sex proud. She will need a little luck at the turn, but the make up of the race could well see things fall into her lap by halfway. Tas is strong coming home and if finding herself in front at any stage she would be extremely difficult to peg back.
In trap 3 is Priceless Blake for Paul Hennessy. Blake finished second in the first round, won his second, third and quarter final stage races prior to finishing third in his semi final. Connections couldn’t have wished for a better draw and with a smash break, he would be very difficult to peg back.
In trap 4 is Skywalker Logan for Patrick Guilfoyle. Logan set the track alight when scorching to a new Nottingham track record of 29.05 (+20) in his first round heat. Logan hasn’t hit those heights since but has shown that as well as possessing huge pace, he also has a huge heart, digging deep to qualify when looking down and out of the competition on more than one occasion. Sure to be primed to perfection, Logan is a danger to all in the race.
In Trap 5 is Angela Harrison’s Droopys Expert. A dog who has always competed against and on many occasions beaten the very best greyhounds around. Highlight of his career so far came when winning the All England Cup at Newcastle in 2017, before finishing runner up at the same track later that year in The Laurels Final. Expert showed himself in excellent form earlier this year when finishing runner up beaten just 1/2 length behind Roxholme Nidge in the Steel City Cup Final at Sheffield. Running as well as ever, Expert will need a smash break but under the care of Angela, Jimmy and the team, he’s in more than capable hands.
In trap 6 is Clonbrien Prince for Graham Holland. Prince has simply been sensational throughout the competition so far, winning impressively in each of the first three rounds, he lost nothing in defeat when finishing second behind Queen Beyonce in his quarter final from a poor draw out in trap 5. He was soon back to winning form though when winning his semi final by a head from the fast finishing Skywalker Logan. Prince will need a smash break from a draw much wider than ideal here, but he’s such a pacy individual it would be a fool who ruled him out.
The selection though, as much on value grounds as anything else is with Liam Dowling’s Ballymac Tas. The bitch can save her best performance until the moment it really matters. Tas can tuck in against the rail just behind Bale, crowding at the turn can see Tas slip around the bend in a very handy position and she can become the first bitch to win The Derby since Farloe Verdict was awarded the race in 2003.
Latest betting: 11-8 Magical Bale, 7-2 Clonbrien Prince, 4-1 Skywalker Logan, 10-1 Droopys Expert, Priceless Blake, 20-1 Ballymac Tas
The English Derby Oaks Trophy takes place at 9.30pm and can go the way of Donation for Heather Dimmock. A bitch who has always competed at the very highest level and finally got the Category One success that she deserved when winning the Lowther Stakes at this track in 2018. Donation then went on to compete in the Eclipse Final, once again highlighting her love of this circuit. She’ll have to be on her toes early to clear Kevin Boon’s Leemount Venus, however if she does so she should find the outside of the track all to herself throughout the remainder of the race and she can make her class tell despite being less than a month shy of reaching veteran status.
Latest betting: 5-2 Droopys Live, 9-2 Donation, Bull Run Button, 9-2 Antigua Vows, 13-2 Arthur Noodle, 25-1 Leemount Venus
The JPW Trophy Final takes place at 947pm. Carl Perry’s Geelo Blissful would have lined up as a strong odds on favourite to land the spoils however season has unfortunately intervened. Disappointing for connections but she will be back. As such the selection is with Julie Bateson’s Forest Jason. Less than perfectly drawn, again in trap 4 when he’d much prefer a draw nearer the rail, he can again ping from the lids and pace up before making his way over to the rail and setting sail for home.
Latest betting: 2-1 Forest Jason, 9-4 Brinkleys Poet, 5-1 Sidaz Jet, 7-1 Plaza Lep, 8-1 Ballymartin Hero
The Terry Corden Memorial Anglo-Irish Trophy takes place at 1003pm. Terry Corden, father of Rachel and Nathan, will be looking down on tonight’s proceedings with pride. He would have loved to have seen The Derby taking place at his track. He was a true greyhound man who deeply loved the sport. The race can go the way of Graham Holland’s Totos Park. We didn’t see the best of this dog when he reached the second round of the Derby itself, however that experience can stand him in good stead. A winner last time out in 29.58 over the 550yrd trip at Shelbourne he can make the most of a good draw to come away well and win impressively.
Latest betting: 2-1 Droopys Trapper, 4-1 Totos Park, Droopys Gold, 9-2 Macaroon Cruz, 6-1 Dower Rory, 14-1 Maysthistlecrack
It’s one for the oldies at 10.19pm with the Star Sports Seniors Trophy. The veteran sector of the sport is one that isn’t paid enough attention. More events and races should be staged such as this, let’s see that the older greyhounds have races and events to stay in training for. Adrian McPherson’s Honour Turbo has vast winning experience around this venue and from his preferred trap 3 draw, this stunning white and fawn dog can smash out and make every post a winning one. Farloe Falcon stays on very well and can fill the forecast spot for Chris Akers.
Latest betting: 7-4 Newinn Shadow, 9-4 Honour Turbo, 4-1 Farloe Falcon, 13-2 Garryglass Champ, 8-1 Let Me Tell You, 33-1 Buccaneer Bandit
It’s the Star Sports Super Stayers Trophy over 730m at 1035pm. This race can go the way of Mark Wallis’s Brigadier Bullet. A hugely talented stayer who hasn’t quite had the best of luck when running from a wide draw in his recent 680m races at this track. The longer run to the bend from a middle draw in three tonight is sure to suit. He can lead by the turn and despite having some strong stayers in opposition, he should be extremely difficult to beat from that position.
Latest betting: 4-5 Slippy Maggie, 5-2 Brigadier Bullet, 7-1 Headford Maurice, 16-1 Tellhersomething, 20-1 Droopys Essie, Tickled Pink
Last but by no means least on a mammoth Derby card is the Dorando marathon over 905m at 1050pm. The race can go the way of Diane Henry’s Savana Winner. This strong running bitch finished runner up in both heat and final of the Cesarewitch recently at Crayford and can come through in the second half of the race and win well over a course and distance that should prove absolutely ideal.
Latest betting: 5-4 Savana Winner, 6-4 Aayamza Breeze, 5-1 Riverside Honey, 25-1 Micks Little Gem, 33-1 Killala Pearl, 66-1 Troy Marine
ALL PHOTOS: STEVE NASH
