Shawfield Racing Manager Daniel Rankin proved a shrewd judge when forecasting Saturday’s three RPGTV Scottish Derby semi finals – though he would be forgiven for a personal interest in next week’s decider.
Daniel predicted trouble in the first semi final but mistakenly expected Droopys Davy (T6) to avoid it.
As it turned out, there wasn’t massive trouble and the 2-1jf actually lost his chance due to a very tardy start. It was compatriot and joint market leader Boylesports Xtra (T4) who set the pace pursued by Droopys Nadal (6-1) (“may get a decent run from five”) with Davy’s kennelmate Braveheart Bobby (T1) in pursuit. The pursuers mugged the leader, passing on either side at the third bend, with Nadal holding on by a length and a half in 29.24.
Rankin read the second semi final almost to perfection noting: “a horrible draw for Droopys Expert. . .Jaguar Jack should improve from the first round and Cooneen Jack, who runs the track well and is nearly 39 kilos should also be thereabouts at the first bend”
So it proved as the race developed into two three-dog events. The inside three were virtually inseparable going to the bend with the three outer runners forming their own messy ruck at the back.
Jaguar Jack took full advantage of his inside draw and although Cooneen Jack closed up at the third bend, the winner then pulled away to win by two and a half lengths in 28.98.
The third semi final was decided by first bend crowding. Bramble Reggie (T5) narrowly led up (3.72 sect) from King Turbo (3.73) and Droopys Verve (3.76). Something had to give at the bend and it was the Turbo filler in the sandwich who came off worse.
“If there is any trouble, Greenwell Jean will be running on strongly at the death” predicted Rankin and sure enough, the locally bred and trained Greenwell Jean took second place, some six and a half lengths adrift of Droopys Verve.
The draw for the final was of particular interest for Daniel Rankin, not least because his father Graham will represented by his first Scottish Derby finalist, Jaguar Jack.
Graham is a former professional golfer who, in his days as an amateur represented Europe three times in the Walker Cup (the amateur equivalent of the Ryder Cup) with teammates including Luke Donald and Paul Casey. Sergio Garcia remains among his closest friends.
So how did the draw work out?
Daniel said: “I would say Droopys Nadal looks the best drawn of the field as a middle to wide runner and the other five all wanting the rail.
“I don’t think Greenwell Jean can go to the bend with the others and Braveheart Bobby will head straight for the rail. Cooneen Jack is nearly 39 kilos and a real big lump of a dog. At the same time four and five will also be trying to get across.
“If either four or five were to trap in front, I don’t think the others will catch them, but anything could happen. As far as Jaguar Jack is concerned, he still hasn’t trapped, but he has a 3.59 sectional on his card but he isn’t consistent.
“He tries to anticipate the start and gets it wrong three times in every four, though he does tend to trap better from the middle.”
