By Rob Abrey
It’s the final day of the first round heats and what a ride we have been on so far. Tonight, are the concluding heats of twenty two to thirty two starting from 6.20pm.
As in the previous twenty one heats expect more twists and turns tonight. For your enjoyment I have endeavoured to find out more about four greyhounds starting there 2022 Derby campaigns.
Irish based trainer Graham Holland has six runners tonight, but it is Russian Glory in heat twenty two at 6.20pm that gets the ‘round up’ treatment. The November ’19 whelp kick starts the Derby proceedings tonight with the opening heat. The son of Droopys Sydney and Glory Kitty will be looking to get ‘team Holland’ off to a winning start. He has had one race over C&D finishing second to Sporting Chile who broke the track record. He will be expected to come on for that trial stakes. In Ireland he has showed his credentials when reaching the final of the Irish St Leger at Limerick over 503 metres unbeaten. To win all four heats of the St Leger on his way to the final is a bit special. In that final he finished fifth. To win all the heats shows he has consistency and that bodes well going into the Derby.
Graham on him said: “He is a very nice dog and made the final of the St Leger. He was drawn next to our other finalist Part Blake and got in each other’s way. Trap draws are very important in finals.
“We were preparing him for the Easter Cup but he picked up a gracilis injury. He is a fast dog and his gracilis is holding up well. It is his second race back and he will improve for his run.
“We were happy enough with his run. He has a race under his belt and it was his first race at Towcester. He is ready to go. He has trap three in his heat and that is fine for him. Like Part Blake he keeps a straight line to the bend.
“Were quite excited and looking forward to see how he gets on.”
On his other runners, Graham said: “Knight Tornado is a year older. He is very fast and experienced dog. He runs himself into form. Both him and Romeo Magico reached the final of the Easter Cup at Shelbourne. Romeo beat Thorn Falcon in a trial stakes after turning handy.
“The two are in the same heat and they have run against each other quite a lot and know each other well.
On the Derby itself Graham added: “We will be pleased to have one in the final. It is a very strong competition and Towcester is not the easiest of tracks.”
Russian Glory is top price 7/2 with Skybet and Paddy Power to win at Towcester at the second time of asking while he is available at 40/1 with several firms to walk away with the coveted trophy on Saturday 25th June.
Sheffield raider Jumeirah Jimmy makes his Towcester race debut in heat twenty six at 7.30pm for trainer Lisa Stephenson. Although making his race debut the October ’19 whelp has had two trials over C&D around the Northamptonshire track. In his first look around he clocked a calculated time of 29.81. Ten days later the son of Top Honcho and Jumeirah Lolls clocked a calculated time of 29.58 knocking off twenty three spots off his original trial. That improvement bodes well going into the first round. At home track Sheffield he has won three times over 500 metres and once over 660 metres all in opens. He clearly gets the 500 metres trip and could make his presence felt late on.
Lisa on him said: “He has gone alright in his trials. It is his first race at Towcester and for me. We feel Towcester is a strong 500 and he will get that comfortably. He is a little bit in between distances at Sheffield.
“He won a 660 metres maiden at Sheffield and reached the final of the Queen Mother Memorial. In the final he struggled a bit but did have a run-off during the week. I do think he stays.
“He will be a big price but thought we would take our chance. We have not got a view to win it but want to be part of it. Get him fit then step up to six bends again.
“At Sheffield he has not got a lot of early but stays on strong. In his trials at Towcester he has come out running and done some quick splits. He has trap one and that is fine for him as he is a railer.”
Ladbrokes and Corals are top price 11/4 for the strong running sort to win his heat while 200/1 is available for the outright spoils with several firms.
Mystical Mario is not only making his Towcester race debut but his race one on these shores as well for Perry Barr trainer John Lambe. The March ’20 whelp is no novice though with winning form in Ireland. The son of Mystical Jet and Mystical Moll has had just one race at Limerick over 480 metres which he won. He now goes in heat thirty one at 9.04pm to make it two from two.
He had his first look around C&D back in April where he clocked a calculated time of 29.56. After a lay off he did a calculated time of 29.87 and will be expected to improve on that to at least his April time.
John on him said: “It is his Towcester debut race wise, and he looks a nice dog. He came across from Ireland and has had a few niggles. Hopefully he is all over them now.
“He is ready to go but is about 80% match fit. With a bit of luck, hopefully he can qualify for a few rounds to get some races into him. Hopefully there is plenty to come.
“He is from an extremely good litter. His litter sister won the Cesarewitch at Mullingar last week.
“He has trap four and is seeded middle. He is possibly more middle to rails. If he qualifies, we will look into his seeding.”
Mario is generally available at 4/1 to win his first race at Towcester while Betfred are top price 150/1 for him to win the Derby outright.
