The first round of the ECC Timber Puppy Derby was dominated by Towcester based runners with Kevin Hutton having a night to remember.
The Burford based handler had seven runners and returned home four winners and a fifth qualifier.
Three of his four winners were separated by just three spots with Forest Mike (Laughill Blake-Forest Rhythm, Dec 15) narrowly the quickest in 29.45 (all normal going) off a sensational 5.17 sectional.
However, the performance of Magical Bale (Zero Ten-Sizzling Sarah, Jan 16) was every bit as good having won his heat in 29.46 in his racing debut.
Headford Kev (Iso Octane-Tyrur Tulisa, Jan 16) made it three wins from six outings in heat two. Prize Fighter (Laughil Blake-Sparkling Maisie, Dec 15) completed the quartet in 29.79.
Kevin said: “Obviously it was a very good night with five through. Of the two that went out, it wasn’t such a surprise as the competition might have come a bit quick for them, but I am sure they will improve from here.
“Obviously delighted with Headford Kev. We bought him out of Galway after a very good debut and although he ran well enough at Romford, we never had him down as a 400 metre dog.
“Forest Mike began his career at Towcester but wasn’t really doing it; I knew he was better than his form. We took him to Romford too and the change with two wins in that maiden completely transformed him.
“I was very impressed with Magical Bale. He is very exciting and could be a bit special. As for Jovial Monk, we knew he needed the race after Doncaster and I thought he ran very well. I would expect him to come on from the race, though I may ask to have his seeding changed to rails”.
Experience had a major role to play on the night with Seamus Cahill’s Sporting Dave (Ballymac Vic-Sporting Dame, Dec 15), contesting his 20th race, producing the fastest time of the night, 29.37.
The next most knowledgeable runner in event, Russanda Ripley (Candlelight King-Droopys Knox, Dec 15) won for the ninth time in 19 races in 29.61.
The opening heat went to Phil Simmonds’ Wuheida (Head Bound-Droopys Thrill, Jan 16) whose 29.52 run was her fourth win in seven races.
Finally, a pup who was mentioned on this site before he even raced, the Patrick Janssens’ bred and trained Affleck Bolt (Kinloch Brae-Ardrine Lunar, Jan 16).
The younger full brother to Badbingo, Whatugonnado, Meadow and the rest, contested the toughest heat of the night and came off best from the first bend bumping to win in 29.49 with the highly rated Jovial Monk and Roxholme Poppy both getting through to the 24-stage.
