Another round and another layer of form to forensically sift through looking for clues to the penultimate stage, writes Floyd Amphlett.

Of the 12 remaining, half are trained in Ireland, including 50% of the original Holland Team. Only two semi finalists remain unbeaten, Swords Rex and Romeo Command – at least one of those records will go on Saturday.

What about trap draws? Prior to the quarter finals, there had only been six orange jacketed winners in the whole event, but that didn’t stop Gaytime Nemo or Romeo Command.

To date, the favourite Swords Rex has only been drawn in the outside two boxes twice in his career. From six, he was beaten. He is drawn orange, on the outside of Command next weekend though connections won’t be too concerned. He took off on the only other occasion that he ran from five, in the second round of the Irish Laurels (27.99), and produced by far his fastest split time of the competition.

Winning traps to date: T1-13, T2-9, T3-17, T4-9, T5-8, T6-3

Those who follow Derby history will know that the event allows fast, tough hounds to show their mettle. Savana Beau is one run away from reaching his second Derby Final. But his clocks to date suggest he has every right to be there.

But it also has a habit of producing comparative unknowns who blossom in the event. None epitomises this better than John Lambe’s Mystical Mario, a 39 kilo powerhouse who built an unimpressive 13 race losing sequence over nine months, but is now in the form of his life.

Considering all four quarter finals went to “1111 1st” winners, the 33-1 about a dog with 4.01 and 4.00 in his last two runs, looks pretty good value.

But on the subject of times, big thanks again to Mark Pierrepont for his ‘halfways’ for the quarter finals.

To halfway

From halfway

Winning time

All acutal times – going allowance indicated by colour       (-15)  (-10)  (+10)   

ROMEO COMMAND (t5) leads Burj Khalifa (t6) in the first Quarter Final.  Photo: © Steve Nash

MYSTICAL MARIO is clear at the first bend following a 4.00 sectional in the Derby Quarter Finals Photo: © Steve Nash

GAYTIME NEMO wins his Derby Quarter Final  Photo: © Steve Nash

The Holland team – left to right Rachel Graham and Nicky – keeping themselves busy with three in the second Derby quarter final. Only Clona Duke (trap 2 with Nicky) made it through from this trio. Photo: © Steve Nash