HOW THEY GOT THERE!

Nice little dog that Southwood Jet, but is he really Derby class? Surely he can’t keep trapping like that. He is bound to miss it one night. And its all very well keep getting the one box, what happens when he gets four or even five? Might make the quarter finals. 50-1 – help yourself to as much as you like.

Deerjet Sydney? Decent enough but not even the best in his kennel. Glengar Bale is Buckley’s best chance. Loads of pace but guaranteed to find trouble if he keeps swerving across to the rail. You can have 66-1 with Ladbrokes.

Now that Ballydoyle Valor is a lovely hound, but not really a ‘Nottingham type’. Not enough early you see! Everybody knows you need early at Nottingham. Must just be a traveling companion for Newinn Session, Lenson Bocko, Black Parachute and Feudal Spirit. As much 50s as you fancy with ‘365’.

Wolfe – past his sell-by date. Would have had a chance last year, until that fortunate business at the third bend. Hardly raced this year. Will be a miracle if they can keep him sound. Shame he wasn’t one day older or he could have run in the veterans race on final night. Fifth best in his own kennel according to the bookies – 40-1.

Seamus, what are you thinking? Smurfs Machine? Coral have made a book for their 11 runners in the Derby and he is 10th in at 12-1. Won’t see out the trip, especially if the weather is bad, and as for seeding him ‘middle’ . . .are you serious? Everyone knows it suicide! You might even draw trap six. Then you’ll be sorry. There are 96 runners and you aren’t even in the top 30! 100-1! Der!!

Noel, mate, we all know that Ballymac Tas made the final last year, but let’s not get carried away. Bitches don’t win Derbys. Coolavanny Chick might be the shortest priced of all of them at 40-1, but not sure you’ve done your homework . . . wide seed??? Pointless even turning up at Nottingham. Ask anybody.

Thank God we have experts in greyhound racing!

First round

A lot has happened since October 2 when Deerjet Sydney landed the first heat of the 2020 Star Sports/ARC Greyhound Derby. It was a great night for the kennel, though Sydney with a 29.83 run was the slowest of Pat Buckley’s three winners.

One race later, the relatively unknown 6-1 chance Smurf Machine caused something of an upset with a flawless front running performance.

The following night saw the first of the bad weather and it was Wolfe who was the first to tackle it – good practice for later in the event.

Conditions had deteriorated further by the time that Southwood Jet went to traps in heat 13.

Not for the first time, the consistency of the Nottingham circuit came under scrutiny and passed with flying colours. It certainly didn’t handicap the determined wide runner Coolavanny Chick.

It was heat 15 before punters were to get a glimpse of the tenacity and power of Irish raider Ballydoyle Valor.

Second round

Ballydoyle Valor drew a comparatively easy second round heat and made no mistake after reeling in the leader, Final Mad.

Southwood Jet went in the following heat and while not the quickest of the round, it was nevertheless a clinical display. As for Smurfs Machine, he proved he had the guts to battle for qualification.

Until now, the indifferent weather had denied punters the chance of fast times. That was put to bed by an awesome Deerjet Sydney in his second round heat.

One race later and the Irish took the fourth of the five heats to date. Coolvanny Chick was beginning to look as though the stripes might be a passport to trouble free racing if she kept trapping like this.