Double chance for Mark Wallis in the Stanjames.com Blue Riband Final
Things seem to be working out rather well for champion trainer Mark Wallis as his kennel's continue to show excellent form throughout the season. Wallis’s greyhounds demonstrated just how good they are on Tuesday night, resulting in a double qualification into the Stanjames.com Blue Riband final at Hall Green for the trainer.
This year’s Derby favourite Eye Onthe Storm will be the first to represent Wallis next week as he qualified in the second semi-final on Tuesday, clocking the fastest time on the night of 28.10secs.
Storm produced a great performance and could very well have been on his way to setting a new track record if only he had managed to trap better. Freedom Emma pinged to take the early lead from trap three but all credit goes to Storm who used his pace to overtake the Richard Yeates b***h and won by just over a length.
Emma clocked a time of 28.20secs, a respectably decent time if you consider the average times being set in earlier heats. Emma can be backed at 10-1 and may just produce the shocker of the night if things don’t work out for Storm on final night.
Wallis achieved his double in the third semi-final where Jogadusc Ace took the race in 28.42secs, an improvement of nearly four lengths to the previous round. Ballymac Ace took second in a time of 28.54secs which led to the elimination of ante-post favourite Fear Zafonic.
Many had been hoping to see Storm take on Zafonic in a final-night clash, but unfortunately for trainer Charlie Lister, Zafonic was denied by half a length. Lister’s focus will now be on Tyrur Speedy in the Bettor.com Scottish Derby to bring home this year’s first silverware for the camp.
Frisby Fontenblue (28.37secs) and Carden Bert (28.61secs) were surprise qualifiers in the opening semi-final - a race in which Wallis’s Dalcash Scolari was disqualified, and Eye Eye Pickle was denied by a length.
Wallis stands a pretty strong chance in bringing home the cup this year. Ante-post markets have once again made Storm the favourite who can be backed at 1-2, whilst Ace is a 6-1 shot. Will Wallis’s duo be good enough to bring home the cup and £7000 prize money?
It’s certainly looking good so far.
Tuesday’s draws (live on Sky Sports) stanjames.com Blue Riband final:
T1 Eye Onthe Storm, T2 Jogadusc Ace, T3 Ballymac Ace, T4 Freedom Emma, T5 Frisby Fontenblu, T6 Carden Bert
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