GREYHOUND DERBY SEMI FINAL CARD PREVIEW – MARK PIERREPONT

Greyhound racing enthusiasts are in for a treat on Saturday evening as one of the best cards ever assembled on UK soil takes place at Nottingham’s Colwick Park circuit. The highlight of the card is obviously the two semi finals of the Star Sports, ARC and LPS English Greyhound Derby, however there are also there are also twelve supporting races that are right out of the top drawer.

The evening gets underway at 7.07pm with three heats of the RPGTV Puppy Trophy, first two from each heat qualifying for the final to be staged on Derby final evening. Bockos Doomie is a highly touted young pup for Patrick Janssens.

It was a fairly late decision to put this youngster into the Derby but despite failing to win a heat, he ran with credit in both the first and second rounds when finishing runner up on both occasions prior to being eliminated, yet far from disgraced, when finishing fourth behind Dorotas Wildcat at the third round stage.

He’s drawn in trap three this evening, a little wider than ideal for a dog much the best when drawn against the rail, however he has enough pace to take command by the bend and take heat one in style. Doomie has advertised his well being since elimination from the Derby with a swift 27.74 (-40) solo trial around Henlow.

Latest betting: 6-4 Bockos Doomie, 9-2 Droopys Carat, 5-1 Front Edge, 7-1 Bockos Rory, 8-1 Sparta Master, 14-1 Burgess Nick

Heat two at 7.24pm can go the way of Jimmy Fenwick’s Ice On Fire. This October 2017 pup was backed as if defeat was out of the question prior to winning his Puppy Open on Quarter Final night last Saturday, he simply destroyed the opposition for early and middle pace, heading to the line in a new sectional track record of 486, this raw youngster has rocket fuel in his pads.

His time to halfway last week was simply sensational. Ice recorded a halfway time of 14.57, for a comparison the fastest in the Derby itself to date is Magical Bale’s 14.55 from his quarter final victory.

In a race where all of the field look as if they would much prefer to be on the skin, it’s difficult to see how they can lead Ice On Fire if he traps anything like on terms. He can yet again scorch the sand on his way to another success and the frightening thing is, this pup can only get stronger as he matures.

Latest betting: 4-7 Ice On Fire, 7-1 Adis Ebebba, 8-1 Formidable, 10-1 Headford Ranger, 16-1 Dower Product, 20-1 Sonic Spur

Heat three looks the trickiest of the three heats to call. Take a chance on Alison Kelly Pilgrims Deanridge Kane who didn’t give up last week despite what must have looked a forlorn chase behind Ice On Fire. There’s a chance he could lead, if doing so it should be race over, however if he can put himself into a clear second or close third even by the time they head down the back, it’s unlikely anything will be as far clear as Fire was last time out. He’s the selection in a tough heat.

Latest betting: 5-4 Antigua Rum. 7-2 Deanridge Kane, 9-2 Saleen Again, 12-1 Trickys Dumbo, 16-1 Droopys Danny

The JPW Trophy over 480m see’s the first of three heats, again with the first two qualifying for a final on Derby Final night, taking place at 7.56pm. The first heat can go the way of Julie Bateson’s Forest Jason who despite a preference for the rail, looks reasonably well drawn in trap four given the make up of tonight’s race. Forest Mike drawn immediately to his inside will be heading rails out of the traps which won’t help the inside pairing at all, Jason can use his pace up the middle before cutting the bend and setting sail for home.

Latest betting: 6-5 Sidaz Jet, 7-2 Forest Jason, 7-1 Antigua Jet, Miss Boley, 10-1 Forest Mike, 20-1 Colston Legend

Heat two can go the way of Peter Harnden’s stunning Salacres Punch. An absolute monster of a greyhound who possesses brute early and middle pace. In a race where securing an early lead should be over 90% of the battle won, a chance is taken on Punch at what should be a fair price. If he traps on terms, he can lead around the turn and power away.

Latest betting: 5-4 Brinkleys Poet, 10-3 Cooneen Jack. 7-1 Plaza Lep, 8-1 Maysthistlecrack, Salacres Punch, 20-1 Ballyrobin Patie

Heat three can go to Carl Perry’s Geelo Blissful. Drawn wider than ideal in trap 6, Blissful will have to be on her toes immediately, however she showed herself in top condition when destroying a good class field here last Saturday that included the likes of Sidaz Jet and Brinkleys Poet. The majority of tonight’s rivals would prefer to be drawn nearer the rail, so a ping break and Blissful can soon secure her preferred middle of the track position before streaking clear of her rivals.

Latest betting: 1-2 Geelo Blissful, 5-1 Ballymartin Hero, 10-1 Droopys Glider, 16-1 Droopys Shark, Bockos Tiger, 20-1 Nidderdale Lark

The first of our two outstanding Star Sports, ARC and LPS English Greyhound Derby semi finals takes place at 8.48pm and what a race we have in store.

The race is a who’s who of greyhound racing superstars. Angela Harrison’s Droopys Expert in one, four years old in October but running as well as ever. Kevin Hutton’s Magical Bale drawn in two, runner up in the 2018 Irish Greyhound Derby, a machine of a greyhound who’s 29.14 (+30) run in last weeks quarter final was the second fastest race time ever recorded around this track. (He was also quickest to halfway – 14.55 – and marginally the fastest in the second half of the race too)

Again for Kevin Hutton, Legend of the sport Dorotas Wildcat running from three, last years Derby Winner at Towcester, one of the all time greats. Ballyanne Sim, trained by Mark Robinson, purchased by Eamon Cleary for just a couple of thousand euro out of Thurles sale in December 2017 after winning a 3 dog trial in 30.10 (-40).

It proved to be one of the greatest sale purchases of all time as he won the Irish Greyhound Derby Final just 10 months later. Priceless Blake for trainer Paul Hennessy finished second in his first round heat but has done nothing but improve and impress when winning each of his second, third and quarter final stage races. He’s a challenge on his hands from a draw much wider than ideal, but he’s in the form of his life. Last, but by no means least is King Sheeran for Liz and Rab McNair.

Bred, reared, schooled by Liz and Rab, Sheeran has it all. When Sheeran suffered a broken hock in the semi final of the British Breeders Stakes here at Nottingham in 2018, the look of despair on Rab’s face painted a terrible picture.

When people tell you that we in this sport are in it for the money, I wish they could see what an injury to our dogs means to us at times like this, money is the last thing on our minds, simply the welfare of our dogs. To see Sheeran back racing, doing what he loves is one thing, to see him in the semi final of an English Derby is another.

He’s well drawn on the outside of the field tonight and there won’t be a dry eye in the McNair household if he was to pull off the near impossible and complete his comeback with a place in the 2019 English Derby Final.

The selection is with Magical Bale to win one of the best races I’ve ever seen staged in the UK, he is well drawn in two and if trapping well he can hold his pitch before turning the bend in front. From there he should be all set to secure victory.

Latest betting: 6-4 Magical Bale, 2-1 Dorotas Wildcat, 10-1 King Sheeran, Droopys Expert, 14-1 Priceless Blake, Ballyanne Sim

The second semi final has all the hallmarks of another classic race. Skywalker Logan set a new track record of 29.05 (+30) when winning his first round heat (when he also clocked the fastest second half of the Derby).

Nowhere near as impressive when winning his second round, Logan has then done what he had to when finishing third in both the third round and the quarter final. Indeed he looked in an improbable qualifying position in last weeks quarter but showed huge pace to eventually be beaten just three lengths behind Dorotas Wildcat.

I can see Logan returning to something much nearer his first round form in tonight’s semi final and if he does so, he would be a huge danger to all.

Queen Beyonce is simply sensational. There is no other way to describe Liz and Rab McNair’s home bred bitch (who was the fastest in halfway in the quarter finals). She is the fastest bitch I’ve ever had the pleasure to watch live.

Not only is she fast though, she’s as gutsy as they come. After missing the break in last weeks quarter final, could Beyonce show the guts and bravery needed to come from behind some huge, bigger, stronger dogs.

You bet she could and she did it in style. With 2018 Irish Derby winner Ballyanne Sim setting the fractions upfront, Beyonce had no easy task, however she breezed past that rival around the final two turns and set sail for home. Rab was ecstatic in the middle of the track, his emotion clear to see, this is what it means to people in the sport. Clonbrien Prince has hardly put a foot out of place at Nottingham for Graham Holland.

Winning at the first, second and third round stages of the competition, Prince lost nothing in defeat when finishing second beat just 1 1/4 lengths behind Beyonce in last weeks quarter final. Drawn wider than ideal in trap 5 on that occasion, supporters of Prince will be hopeful that tonight’s draw in trap three can help him turn the tables. Roxholme Glory was purchased by his team of owners specifically for a tilt at the Derby.

His owners wanted something that would give them a good ride in the competition and what a ride they’re currently on. After winning his first round heat impressively, Glory has finished second twice before finishing third in his quarter final.

He’s overcome troublesome looking draws to reach this stage and despite being less than well drawn, he’s in great form and in the more than capable hands of Hayley Keightley and her assistants, husband Mark and Craig Morris, is more than capable of getting the smash break that is undoubtedly required tonight.

Liam Dowling’s superstar Irish bitch Ballymac Tas has yet to win a round but has shown her class to qualify with reasonable comfort throughout each stage so far. Tas hasn’t had much luck in the draw throughout the competition and is yet again drawn much wider than ideal here, her best hope would appear to be to tuck in to the inside early on and hope for a bit of luck around the opening two bends before staying on well into what would hopefully be a qualifying position.

Jaytee Taylor doesn’t do things too quickly for the first half of his races but he winds up the pace in no uncertain terms in the latter stages. He’s once again well drawn on the outside and last years Irish Derby Finalist can bide his time around the outside before powering home once again to comfortably secure a place in next weeks final.

The selection though is with Queen Beyonce, she’ll need to trap in her best fashion, but if doing so, she can secure the lead and will not be for catching.

Latest betting: 5-2 Queen Beyonce, 11-4 Clonbrien Prince, 9-2 Skywalker Logan, Jaytee Taylor, 12-1 Roxholme Glory, 16-1 Ballymac Tas

The RPGTV Derby Plate gets underway at 9.22pm with the first two in each of three heats qualifying for next weeks final. The selection in a competitive race is with Kevin Hutton’s Ballymac Osby. Eliminated from the Derby at the third round stage, Osby highlighted his well being with an all the way success over the talented Seaglass Phantom at Central Park last time out. He’s a dog who needs a clear run and preferably to lead to show his best, his 38 kilo frame makes it difficult for him to regain his stride if encountering trouble, however from a good draw in trap 1 he can hold his pitch and make the bend in front.

Latest betting: 10-3 Roxholme Jim, 7-2 Droopys Trapper, 4-1 Ballymac Osby, 9-2 Seaglass Tiger, 7-1 Volcanic Reef, Droopys Gold

Heat two can go the way of Patrick Godfrey’s Arthur Noodle at what should be a fair price. I noted throughout the Derby that I felt this bitches middle seeding was likely to work against her at some point sooner rather than later. That theory wasn’t really put to the test as Noodle was withdrawn from the competition prior to taking her place in the second round with a cut pad.

Now recovered and fully over her pad cut, Noodle advertised her well being with a 14.95 (-10) solo trial around Poole last Sunday. The track record for that trip is 1476, so highlights what a good run it was from Noodle over a trip much short of her best.

With the middle seed carried during the Derby now removed and what looks like a perfect draw in two she can lead early and claim the spoils. Droopys Verve will be a deserved favourite for the race, but one isn’t the best of traps to break from and at the likely prices the value call at least is with Noodle. A saver on the ‘without the favourite’ market could also pay dividends.

Latest betting: 2-5 Droopys Verve, 7-1 Quantum Leap, 8-1 Arthur Noodle, 14-1 Conors Blake, 20-1 Leemount Venus, Wildfire Jimmy

Heat three can go the way of Angela Harrison’s Droopys Nadal. This dog has always possessed huge early pace, but has strengthened up massively this year and was a finalist in the Scottish Derby not too long ago. Eliminated at the second round stage of the Derby, Nadal can use his superior early pace to take command early.

Irish star Wolfe was hugely impressive when beating Dorotas Wildcat in a terrific first round buckle and looked all set to qualify comfortably in the second round when he unfathomably eased and stopped chasing at the third bend. There was simply no rhyme or reason to what he did. Was he distracted, or was it something else? Was there a hint of an issue when he moved off unnecessarily at the first bend and allowed Roxholme Jim up the inside?

Wolfe is in excellent hands and you can be sure Graham Holland is confident it was merely a blip by choosing to enter the dog at the same track again. However, I’m not prepared to pay to find out whether he is back to normal service and as such the selection is Nadal to lead all the way.

Clonbrien Swift – non runner Bron To Achieve runs T5

Latest betting: No early prices

Another outstanding competition gets underway at 10.16pm with three heats of the RPGTV Stayers over 680m. Again the first two greyhounds from each of three heats will qualify for the final on Derby final night.

The selection in heat one is Ballydoyle Frank who has done nothing but improve since joining the kennel of Phil Barlow. Frank was well prepared for the Derby with a view to improving throughout the competition, a sensible move but Frank unfortunately drew a tough first round heat and after early trouble was eliminated.

This is a dog, as previously mentioned, as always destined to show his best form when stepped up in trip to a tough six bends. Making his six bend debut when leading all the way in the heat of a 660m competition at home track Sheffield recently, he stepped up on that debut when coming from behind to impressively beat a good class field in the final.

This is a dog who has the potential to win a decent competition over a trip this year, he enjoys the contours of this track and with a decent break he can land the spoils.

Latest betting: 6-4 Antigua Fire, 5-2 Affleck Bolt, 13-2 Raceway Fly, 8-1 Ballydoyle Frank, 10-1 Savana Volt, 16-1 Swift Tarquin

Heat two can go the way of Matt Dartnall’s Ela Juliet. Juliet won the Summer Stayers Classic at Monmore last year and was a finalist later in the year in the Yorkshire St Leger at Doncaster.

Though eliminated at the first stage of the Derby, Juliet showcased her true ability when stepped back up to six bends over this course and distance here last week when running away with a good class open by 6 1/4 lengths from the running on Brigadier Bullet.

Juliet is well suited by the short run to the turn, reliable at the traps she can generally start well before lacking a little in the early pace department, that is less significant with this short run up and Juliet can secure an early position at the head of the market before beginning to wind it up as they head up the home straight for the first time.

Latest betting: 6-4 Ela Juliet, 5-2 Ridgedale Max, 8-1 Locnamon Mike, Headford Maurice, 12-1 Jelly Flood, 14-1 Drive On Betsy

Heat three can go the way of Brigadier Bullet. He was heavily supported to land a 680m open here at Nottingham on quarter final night but struggled to get clear of the early paced Salacres Vincent drawn to his immediate inside on that occasion. Bullet looks much better drawn tonight however and with the benefit of a look around the track now under his belt he can land the honours in good style from what looks a plot draw in six.

Latest betting: 11-8 Brigadier Bullet, 9-4 Stardom, 5-1 Affleck Lady, 7-1 Sheldan, 12-1 Slippy Etty, 50-1 Quivers Fancy