Toomaline Jack favourite in the English Greyhound Derby
The English Greyhound Derby would be considered to be the most prestigious race on the UK calendar; its history stretches back to 1927 along with the Irish Greyhound Derby at Shelbourne Park.
Irish trainer Dolores Ruth has been fortunate enough to taste success in both and may be on her way to adding to that tally this year with Toomaline Jack.
Jack, who’s currently been installed as the 6-4 favourite in the ante-post market, missed out last month on the €20,000 Easter Cup at Shelbourne Park - a race which saw him burst away from the lids in the final to take the early lead from trap six, until Owen McKenna's Thurlesbeg Joker clinched victory over the last two turns.
You would assume that an English Derby victory would make up for the bitter defeat, but if it’s vengeance that Jack seeks, he will be given the opportunity later in July when the Ladbrokes Irish Derby starts.
Up till now the wide-trap runner has been gifted with trap six, six, five, six and has managed to finish first on each occasion. His last two races in particular have been jaw-dropping, one leading to a new track record being set of 28.25secs.
The average track time he holds on Wimbledon throughout the competition has been worked out to be 28.52sec, which is by far greater than any of his rivals.
The semi-final draw this Saturday has thrown up two intriguing contests and gives Jack the opportunity to finally race up against main market rival Bandicoot Tipoki, and although there are three qualifying places up for grabs, it will be interesting to see who crosses the mark first.
Jack seems to have the best of the draw, once again in the stripes.
In terms of backing, he certainly ticks the majority of the boxes on my list. You won’t get better value on odds for him in the final - if he makes it - which is hard not to see happening.
It’s just a matter of whether John McCririck, who picks the draws, manages to work his magic to gift a wide trap once again in the final, which would ultimately give him an excellent chance to take the trophy to Ireland, topped with a healthy prize of £75,000.
He is the sole Irish representative in the second heat, as Krug Ninety Five, Oran Classic and Slick Robert all run in the opening heat.
Semi-final draw (live on Sky Sports)
Heat one: 1 Lyreen Mover; 2 Glenard Sunrise; 3 Oran Classic; 4 Krug Ninety Five (m); 5 Slick Robert (m); 6 Westmead Scolari (w)
Heat two: 1 Romeo Reason; 2 Bandicoot Tipoki; 3 Head Iton Ellis; 4 Adageo (w); 5 Farloe Skywalker (w); 6 Toomaline Jack (w).
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