Bettor.com Scottish Derby semi-finals round up
Tomorrow’s crowd at Shawfield will be cheering on the field of hopeful semi-finalists looking to secure a place in next Saturday’s £25,000 Bettor.com Scottish Derby Final.
The Derby itself has arguably been the best competition so far this season. It offers a rewarding first prize for the winner and has a strong field present to provide all the entertainment. Those of you that have been following would have been shocked to see the first-round elimination of ante-post market favourite Jordansoilution.
Paul Hennessey’s De Ex Factor, another market favourite, also returned to the kennels after failing to qualify in the first round, resulting in some remarking that the competition was a layers' paradise.
Pat Flaherty’s Greenwell Viper has now taken up the top spot in the market and I would certainly be wary of laying him. Viper has been by far the best on the track, clocking the best time in the competition of 28.83secs and landing first place in both rounds. Can he go all the way?
Newlawn Class is the second favourite and has been the biggest mover in the competition. The Pat Buckley-trained hound is also amongst the favourites to take this year’s Wimbledon Derby and won’t be competing with Viper tomorrow, but the pair may very well meet in the final. If anyone can put a stop to Viper’s winning streak, it would have to be Class.
Charlie Lister hasn’t had the best start to the year - he missed out by two points in the Betfair Trainers’ Championship, and Tuesday night also saw his hopes of landing a final spot in the Stanjames Blue Riband Cup come to nothing as Fear Zafonic missed out by half a length.
Tyrur Speedy is the last of five remaining in the competition to represent Lister and if he can continue to deliver the times he has produced in earlier rounds then I can certainly see him qualifying.
Sponsors Bettor.com have announced that a further two new trophies will be up for grabs on final night, consisting of the Sprint Trophy and Maiden Trophy. So in addition to tomorrow’s semi-finals, a further six heats will be run to produce the final card for the 17th April.
PR Manager of Bettor.com Jayne Clarke says “The competition is certainly heating up and with the new races in place to enhance the contest, finals night should be an exciting showdown.”
Draw for Saturday 10th April Semi finals:
First Semi-final: 1 Ardkill Ernie, 2 Droopys Kentucky, 3 Ardera Monarch, 4 Final Washington, 5 Westmead Scolari, 6 Greenwell Viper.
Second Semi-final: 1 Nambisco, 2 Tyrur Speedy, 3 Westmead Bond, 4 Ballymac Rebound, 5 Ardmayle Courier, 6 Newlawn Class
Tags: