The 2016 Ladbrokes Puppy Derby had just about every drama it is possible to cram into a race before being won by Castell Henry (Kinloch Brae-Tyrur Alice, Apr 14).
CASTELL HENRY Puppy Derby winner.
Photo Steve Nash
The plot twists had really started in the semi finals with a dead heat for a qualifying place and the elimination of ante post favourite Barricane Bullet. That opened the door for the qualification of 12-1 shot Castell Henry as the slowest qualifier.
On the morning of the race, the second fastest qualifier Droopys Elite was withdrawn following a freak accident resulting with a bump on her head. . .then we got as far as the final.
With only one railed in the line-up and a field of youngsters, there was always the possibility of trouble and so it proved. Ballymac Lyster (T3) led up (4.38) with the rest of the field covered by three quarters of a length. Droopys Astorish (T1) accelerated up on the inside as the slow breaking joint favourite Bramble Magpie attempted to surge into the bend. But he and Castell Henry (T4) had a coming together.
By the second bend Phil Simmonds’ Castell Henry had moved to challenge for the lead and he then proceeded to win the race on merit. The black eventually crossed the line with just under three lengths to spare over Astorish in 28.30 (-20) – a remarkable run given that Barricane Bullet had only gone three spots quicker when landing a supporting open by six.
The winner was bred in Wales by Merthy Tydfil by Lyn Short and was brought by Amy Davies and Nathan Hunt as a pup.
There were six pups in the litter which included Bang On Giles, finalist in a British bred final at Towcester in December, plus Bang On Ella, who won the first open race in Britain in 2016, and another open winner at Romford Bang On Pippa.
Their sire is the dog destined to finish champion sire in 2016, Michael Dunne’s Derby Lane Sprint Classic winner Kinloch Brae. The dam is Tyrur Alice (Hades Rocket-Tyrur Margaret) ran one graded race at Coventry.
