‘EP’ rules in the Derby
Whether it is trap draws, seeding, the chances of trouble in racing, or even to a surprisingly large extent, winning time . . . . nothing matters more than early pace. That is the clear message from the data that has emerged from the Star Sports & TRC English Greyhound Derby first two rounds.
The devil is in the detail. In the graphic below, we have produced the winning lines from all 31 first round heats based on the running style of the winners themselves. To help break it up, we have coloured coded the race comments to put them into groups.
The biggest group by far are the ‘always led’ group in green. You may note that there are 18 of them, and in every case, they led throughout, including clocking the quickest sectionals in their respective heats. All but four went to the winning line first time in less than 4.10. You might even extend that 19 all-the-way leaders but for Crafty Shivoo being briefly headed following a 4.08 sectional.
Basically, if you lead, you stand a 58% chance of winning.
The second round tells a very similar story.
George Bradnock
Thanks to Perry Barr RM Martin Seal for the following:
” I just wanted to notify everyone of the death of George Bradnock, who passed away this morning, aged 75, following a long illness.
“George trained Clonee Express to win a raft of four bend opens around Perry Barr and Hall Green in the late noughties, and along with brother and co-owner Malcolm, turned down an offer of £20k for the big white and brindle.
“Rarely seen without a smile on his face and a spring in his step, George had a true passion for the sport, and would help anyone without a second thought, a rare commodity in this day and age.
OPENS
Tonight: Hove ♦ Newcastle ♦ Swindon
Friday: Romford
Saturday: Central Park ♦ Doncaster ♦ Monmore ♦ Oxford ♦ Perry Barr ♦ TOWCESTER
