Matt Dartnall’s Killeacle Gus was the quickest on the clock but a treble for Liz McNair, plus a fourth win in a supporting open made it a great night for kennel and Owners of the Year, the KSS Syndicate.

Bragging rights belong to the Dartnall Kennel and a thoroughly professional performance from the third heat winner Gus who clocked 29.16. Beaten Oaks favourite Sonic Spur ran on well from the back of the field to qualify.

British Bred Greyhound of the Year King Sheeran, who was just two spots slower, was backed by brother King Lennon and kennelmate Queen Dolly.

Assistant trainer Rab McNair said: “The one thing that I am always proud about with our dogs is that they are all prepared to work hard from the back of the field. King Elvis won races against faster dogs because he usually led and some of those chasing him just threw in the towel. All our three winners on Saturday had to work to get their heads in front last night.

“I was absolutely delighted with King Sheeran who runs Hove better than anywhere else in the country. In my opinion, his last two races have been the best of his career. Last week he didn’t break and had nowhere to run until the second bend. Even then he ran a great race to almost catch Mark’s dog (Antigua Romeo).

“Last night he didn’t trap well but showed great ability to drive the bends, and then powered past the front two. He was absolutely magnificent.

“I was chatting to Danny Riodan afterwards and he commented how well he thought Sheeran ran and I told him that I honestly believe that litter will be better this year than last. The reason that I say it is because I am around them all the time and can see that they have finally grown up. They are looking and behaving so differently as nearly three year olds.

“The whole litter are the same. Unfortunately Dylan dislocated a toe and will be off for a while, but as he gets fit, I would like to try Lennon over a longer distance. We will get the Winter Derby out of the way and then possibly enter for a maiden 695. I can’t make my mind up whether he will stay, but we need to find out.”

There were mixed reviews from the other pair of littermates on display, King Louis and Queen Dolly. Louis ran a comparatively lacklustre race after being on terms on the run to the bend. Dolly showed great determination to reel in early leader Sidaz Jet.

Rab said: “I thought Louis was disappointing. He seemed to be in a decent position and then showed very little. But I was a bit cautious about him before the race because he got himself overexcited in the kennel. He is naturally very hyper and I thought he ran like a spent dog. I will put a few short gallops into him this week to take the edge of him and see if he calms down a bit.

“I think a lot of Dolly and she was great on the night. That litter are only just two years old and it is time that we stepped them up a bit now and see how good they are. I have a feeling that Dolly could prove to be quite useful.”

Heather Dimmock’s Volcanic Reef (3.49) and Make No Apologie (3.47) clocked the night’s fastest two sectionals though it was the latter who won his heat with a bold front running display.

The four runner fourth heat went to Yarmouth front runner Jakes Magic.

Trap draw below

KING SHEERAN storms home in the opening Winter Derby heat from Antigua Romeo (t4) and Volcanic Reef (t2) WT 29.18.Photo: © Steve Nash

KING LENNON (t2) gets up close home to beat Brave Venture (t1) in Winter Derby heat 2. Photo: © Steve Nash

KILLEACLE GUS wins heat 3 of the Coral Winter Derby in a fastest of the night 29.16. Photo: © Steve Nash

Tightest call of the night in the Coral Winter Derby heats: JAKES MAGIC (t3) holds off Drahbeg Dash (t6) by a short head in heat 4. Photo: © Steve Nash

Out and gone: 29.24 winner MAKE NO APOLOGIE (t4) leads up from King Louis (t6) and Forest Alan (t3) in Winter Derby heat 5. Photo: © Steve Nash

QUEEN DOLLY (t4) catches Sidaz Jet (t1) to give Liz McNair her third winner in the Winter Derby heats, and a four timer on the night overall. Photo: © Steve Nash

An almost equal split of seeds make for an ‘uneventful’ semi final draw for the principles with King Sheeran, track record holder Antigua Romeo and fastest heat winner Killeacle Gus all separated.

 

*Tipster Paul Gebhard tipped three winners from his six selections. 13 of his 17 ‘qualifying’ selections made it through to the semi finals.