Little Gaffer earns a Williamhill.com Derby spot
Trainer Pat Rosney’s Little Gaffer landed a victory in last night's williamhill.com Greyhound Derby “ Win And You’re In ” Trials Stakes over 470m at Belle Vue, which in result earned him a place to take a shot at this year’s £75,000 Derby at Wimbledon.
Gaffer (5-4 favourite) was drawn with trap one in the race and didn’t necessarily have the best of starts as Magna Special pinged ahead but failed to sustain a lead as Rosney’s tough hound was quick to recover and paced up well to take control at the first bend. Thereafter he was always in control and won the race by two lengths in a time of 27.89secs.
The dog’s overall performance has dipped slightly since making his debut in July last year. Last night was the first time Gaffer has been drawn with a trap one start and it may be something which works for him if he is lucky enough to be gifted it throughout the competition.
Gaffer has run 13 races in which he has come top of only three, but if you fancy your chances then he can be backed at 200-1 in the ante-post markets to take this year’s Derby which kicks off with the opening round at the end of April.
Champion trainer Mark Wallis’s Eye Onthe Storm (7-1) is the current market topper and rightly deserves to be the favourite having been so consistent. Storm also recently bagged the StanJames Blue Riband final on Tuesday to pocket his camp a cool £7000.
The focus at Shawfield is on Carly Philpott’s Nambisco who topped the markets after delivering a 12-length victory in the semi-finals of the Bettor.com Scottish Derby. Nambisco will be up against a tough field on Saturday night but with the overall competition being so unpredictable, it’s sure to be an exciting event ahead of the English Derby.
Draw for Saturday's £25,000 Bettor.com Scottish Derby final (Live on Sky Sports 4): 1 Ballymac Rebound, 2 Ardera Monarch, 3 Nambisco, 4 Westmead Bond, 5 Greenwell Viper (w), 6 Westmead Scolari (w).
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