Chris Akers may only be in the early stages of his training career in his own right, but few will have enjoyed his level of apprenticeship. Fewer still who have experienced the kind of success that almost became expected on the sports biggest nights – WRITES MARK PIERREPONT.

Mark Pierrepont

Supported by his partner Vicki Booth, Chris harbours ambitions to gain success in his own right in the 2020 Star Sports/ARC/LPS Greyhound Derby.

His hopes may lay at the paws of May 2018 pup Gymstar Elusive, a hound who Chris believes, could go a long way in this years event. Elusive won impressively on his career debut, the first round of the Rural Hawaii @ Stud Unraced Stake at Clonmel where he recorded 28.96(calc).

He was then beaten into second in both the semi final and final behind Graham Holland’s superstar youngster Newinn Session.

When his seven time Derby winning boss Charlie Lister OBE retired, things were always going to be tough for his successor. But Charlie, has always been there for guidance and he along with owners Kieran Hickey and Mark Bates have stayed loyal to the Mudross kennel.

The trio have purchased Gymstar Elusive in a show of belief in both a pup with huge potential and in Chris as a trainer.

It is never easy for a pup taking on experienced top class greyhounds in a competition such as the Derby, Chris however feels that this is a pup with all the right attributes.

Trialling at Nottingham on Monday night, his first outing here in the UK, he recorded an excellent 17.85 (+10) over the 305m sprint course. Chris said: “I was more than pleased with that effort. He’s a pup with good early pace but I do believe he’s an ideal type for the 500m Derby trip and the long run to the bend will suit.

“I’d like to place on record my thanks for Charlie, Kieran and Mark showing their support. Vicki and I are really looking forward to seeing Gymstar progress. I am expecting a big run when he goes over 500m for the first time. The trip will not be a problem”.

 

 

Early in February Kevin Boon told the Derby Diary “I’ve been running a few pups around Nottingham for a couple of reasons. It’s a good track for them to get experience. But you are always hoping that one of them will surprise you and all of a sudden become an entry. At this stage that’s looking unlikely but you never know”.

Step forward Smiling Charlie, a July 2018 half brother of Kevin’s staying superstar Sheldan.

Prior to Monday evening’s Derby trialstake, Charlie had run three races without success, and his SPs of 12/1 for Monday night’s race suggested that not too much was expected.

Well that maybe so from the bookmakers but apparently not from Kevin.

He said: “Before we set off for Nottingham yesterday I had to warn Liam (Aspin, kennelhand) to be on his guard with Charlie. He was as good as I’ve had him; he was really on his toes.

“As we headed to he track, I told Liam that not only could he go well but I firmly believed he’d win. This is a pup who recorded 28.15(calc) at Yarmouth in his first ever official trial, beating Leemount Venus in the process.

“In the meantime, he’d had a couple of bacterial infections that were a little difficult to solve. But I believe we’re there now. He should keep improving and fingers crossed he’ll go well for the rest of the year.

“I was also extremely pleased with the performance of Droopys Premier in his first round heat of the Puppy Derby at Monmore on Saturday.

“We bought him as a dog that wouldn’t stay a true four bends and though he’s best in front, he ran really well after missing the kick to finish second beaten just four and a half lengths behind Queen Jessiej, a bitch I know Liz and Rab rate highly.

“He recorded 28.28 calculated, which isn’t too bad at all for a dog who supposedly needs to lead and struggles with the trip. It certainly opens up a few options for us with him anyway!”.

 

There has been talk about the strength in quality and in number of the Irish challenge this year but all the suggestions point towards there being no lack of either.

Sure some of Irelands leading pups will be heading to the Con and Annie Kirby Memorial, but the Irish are well advanced with their trial bookings at Nottingham.

  • Robert Gleeson is booked in with Saunders Jet, Lemon Ozzy and Kilara Icon for Saturday 14th March whilst Pat Guilfoyle is over on Monday 16th with Nottingham track record holder Skywalker Logan, Muckinish and with the greyhound he rates as fast as anything he’s ever put a lead on Magical Cormie.
  • Patrick Janssens has Bockos Doomie and Seaglass Phantom also booked in for Monday 16th March whilst Angela Harrison and Hayley Keightley have 4 and 2 trial spaces reserved respectively.
  • Tuesday 17th March is likely to see antepost Derby favourite Ice On Fire become reaquainted with Nottingham with Jimmy Fenwick decided against a tilt at the Steel City Cup. Jimmy has 4 spaces reserved for the session, he has previously stated that his Derby team would also include Look Like Power, Dilly Dilly and Lemon Ronald.
  • Monday 23rd March see’s Karol Ramsbottom at Colwick Park with Deadly Dynamite and Bhoireann booked in for trials whilst Pat Guilfoyle returns with Cabra Firmino, Laughill Josh and Patterdale Greg booked in. County Tyrone’s Michael Corr is another who plans to head across the Irish sea for this session with his Meenagh Maestro and Miracle pencilled in.
  • There is an interesting entry planned from Germany with Razldazl Curtis owned and trained by husband and wife team of Heike and Juergen Stankewitz who are hoping to make the journey across to England with their greyhound. International paperwork is currently being processed at the offices of the GBGB.
  • Liam Dowling reached the final of the 2019 English Derby with his bitch Ballymac Tas, she run a brilliant race finishing runner up to Pricless Blake. Liam will be hoping to go one better this year and has his first trials booked in for Monday 30th March and Thursday 2nd April.
  • Pat Buckley meanwhile plans on targeting the competition and he told me “We’ve yet to finalise plans but there is no doubt that all being well we’ll be over to have a crack, I’ll be making some more confirmed plans in the coming days”.