Final six greyhounds in the Williamhill.com English Derby
It is nearly that time of year where you get the opportunity to witness greyhound racing's finest performance. One which will be marked in the history books, one which will make the winners connections £75,000 more well off, one which will also provide further recognition to a trainer and one that is set to be staged at Wimbledon next Saturday - yes you guessed it, it’s none other than the English Greyhound Derby, which finally has its six potential winners.
The Derby began at the end of April, with the opening round having to be stretched across three days due to the increased numbers of entrants (217). The final six have had to obtain a top three finish in their last five races to reach this stage and I can tell you that it’s become a very difficult decider after John McCririck picked out the draw live on Sky Sports.
T1 – Oran Classic (8-1)
The first of three Irish trained greyhounds to be running in next week's final has been given the trap one box, a box from which he started his Derby campaign and finished second with a rather sluggish time of 29.41sec. He has since learnt to adapt through the mid and I could see him creating problems for Lyreen Mover early on in the race.
Trainer John McGee landed Derby success over 20 years ago in the form of Hit The Lids, it’s possible that his Classic, who was also nominee for 2009 Dog of the year in the Irish awards may make it his second.
Classic has an average track time of 28.93sec over the five races at Wimbledon and if things work out like they say they do on paper - then it will be last place for him - but in greyhound racing they hardly ever work out that way.
T2 – Lyreen Mover (4-1)
European Derby Winner Lyreen Mover is yet to be beaten in the competition, although was very close last night in the semi-finals prevailing by one spot (0.01) over Classic.
The Hungarian raider has produced his best time of 28.58sec from trap two and connections will be eager for him to maintain his undefeated streak in the UK.
For all you superstitious punters backing Mover, its okay, his avoided the so called jinxed trap one box, which has failed to win a Derby in 25 years.
T3 – Bandicoot Tipoki (5-1)
Charlie Lister has already had his name imprinted in the record books as a four time Derby winner. He shares the record of most Derby victories at Wimbledon with trainer Nick Savva, who trains Westmead Scolari, who was eliminated last night in the Semi finals.
Can Lister make further history by making it his fifth?
Bandicoot Tipoki last made a trap three start when he set the new track record in the opening round, clocking an amazing time of 28.26sec, which was later beaten by one spot (0.01) in the third round by Toomaline Jack.
Tipoki has an average track time of 28.53sec which is near enough equal to the favourite; his last major success was in the Williamhill.com Steel City Cup held at Sheffield in August which would make him about due for another big win.
T4 – Krug Ninety Five (10-1)
Krug Ninety Five is the second Irish trained Derby hopeful who had a fantastic few opening rounds, managing to rise to the top in races which saw key players such as Eye Onthe Storm and Fear Zafonic eliminated.
The Fraser Black trained charge has improved on each time being drawn with a mid trap, trap four should suit him well but my concern is whether he has the ability to keep up with the competition when the trap lids get flipped, he definitely is a capable winner but may need some luck on his side.
T5 - Toomaline Jack (4-5favourite)
Toomaline Jack is the third to represent the Irish in the English Derby – he's had an absolute magnificent Derby campaign so far.
The Dolores Ruth trained charge has come out first on each occasion, equalling the same record as Hungarian Mover, who was originally an Irish trained greyhound to, so maybe it’s an Irish thing.
The only difference that sets them apart is the time on the board. Jack is the current track record holder (28.25sec) and has set the fastest track time in the last three meetings.
The suited wide runner has been gifted with trap five, although trainer Ruth did say she would have preferred trap six.
There is no flaw that I can point out with this greyhound; he may possibly face problems being beside Mark Wallis’ Adageo in trap six who is also a wide runner. The plan would ultimately be to produce a good break and avoid any early bumps and although Adageo is the outsider, he's known to be unpredictable and we all know what happened in last year’s Derby final.
T6 – Adageo 50-1
Adageo was probably the most unlikely candidate from Mark Wallis’s Imperial kennel to be sitting in the William Hill Greyhound Derby Finals but deserves his place after some bold runs.
Wallis is once again being represented by the underdog who’s returns are mouth watering - Adageo has been drawn with a suited trap six, but does he have enough fuel in his tank to burn?
Kinda Ready (25-1) gave Wallis his first Derby success last year, a race which brings me to tears, having failed to back him . Do you believe in Déjà vu? Whether you do or not, its worth putting a fiver on him just to be safe.
Bettor.com Predictions
5 + 2 + 3
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