ENGLISH DERBY CONTINUES AT TOWCESTER
Ian Fortune
The second round of the Star Sports & Orchestrate English Greyhound Derby gets underway at Towcester this evening and a total of eleven of the remaining twenty-six Irish trained runners will in action.
After a particularly notable run in the opening round, Ballymac Deniro will be amongst the favourites for Heat 1 but he takes on the UK’s best in Proper Heiress. Both will be expected to go close and much will come down to how Ballymac Deniro starts in the stripes. Unassuming was also due to line out in this contest for Brendan Matthews but was withdrawn on Thursday after coming in season.
EPIC TO SERVE UP AN ACE
After impressing in the opening round, Epic Ace will be a short price to remain unbeaten in the classic for John Kenneddy in Heat 2.
Inconsistent trapping has often been his downfall but he is a more mature performer these days and he is selected start on terms before making his class count.
STRONG IRISH CHALLENGE IN HEAT 4
Ballymac Ralf and Coloursaregreen are fancied to go close for the raiding party in Heat 4.
Both are very talented and seem likely to come on for their opening round defeats. Liam Dowling’s Ballymac Ralf ran on strongly behind Priceless Romeo, a kennel companion to the Paul Hennessy trained Coloursaregreen, and is likely to make a bold bid.
His compatriot was in the wars last week but if returning to the form that saw him win the Gold Cup at Shelbourne Park, he is likely to race prominently. Both will hopefully put their best foot forward in the early yards and that would certainly put them right in the mix.
TANK TO ROLL OVER RIVALS
Lennies Tank was an impressive winner in the opening round, looking very comfortable around Towcester.
He can take some stopping in Heat 5 where Droopys Aladdin looks an obvious threat. Lennies Tank is a bit special when on song, however, and last week’s effort hinted that he could go very fast around the Northamptonshire venue very soon.
SAM IRELAND’S ONLY HOPE IN HEAT 6
Donishall Sam is Ireland’s only representative in Heat 6.
He ran a big race in the opening round, failing by just a head to reel in Swords Style. It was a big step up on his previous Towcester form and should he repeat that form he could certainly get involved. Favourite for this contest is the locally trained Salacres Lock Up but Donishall Sam is just behind him in the market.
IRISH TRIO TO COME TO FORE
Ireland has a strong hold on Heat 7 with Ballymac Stud odds-on to follow up his opening round victory and his compatriots Lennies Dynamic and Gaytime Joachim his nearest market rivals.
Much will come down to the start but Liam Dowling’s Ballymac Stud has long been a star and he might just have too much ammunition for his rivals.
EDDIE AND SILENT BIG PLAYERS IN FINAL HEAT
Glengar Silent only sneaked through in fourth last week but is still favourite for the final heat on Friday night with Underground Gold and the Paul Hennessy trained Lennies Eddie right on his heels in the betting.
Lennies Eddie ran very well to overcome early traffic to take a runner-up spot last week and is seen as a serious player. Underground Gold is amongst the best chances for a UK winner and he too impressed in the opening round. It’s a fascinating contest but Lennies Eddie just gets the nod.
FRIDAY
Heat 1
1 Dereks Legend
2 The Other Kodi
3 UNASSUMING – Brendan Matthews
4 Proper Heiress
5 Salacres Lucia
6 BALLYMAC DENIRO (m) – Liam Dowling
Heat 2
1 Salacres Amara
2 No Better Feelin
3 EPIC ACE – John Kennedy
4 Droopys Sort
5 Unthinkable
6 Slick Skylark (m)
Heat 3
1 Loxleys Forest
2 Droopys Bookem
3 Burrows Charm
4 Teejays Buddy
5 The Other Chief
6 Rebel Alaska (m)
Heat 4
1 Carrigoon Milo
2 BALLYMAC RALF – Liam Dowling
3 COLOURSAREGREEN – Paul Hennessy
4 Romeo Ability
5 Malcolm Bosh (m)
6 Slick Sentinel (w)
Heat 5
1 Heres Ringo
2 Soapy Suds
3 Droopys Graph
4 Droopys Aladdin
5 Ballymac Dave (m)
6 LENNIES TANK (w) – Paul Hennessy
Heat 6
1 Zenith Jimbombom
2 Salacres Lock Up
3 DONISHALL SAM – Graham Holland
4 Aero Pepinillo
5 Radical Story (m)
6 Alright Twinkle (w)
Heat 7
1 Snazzy Bolger
2 Bombay Hawk
3 Dunbolg Formula
4 GAYTIME JOACHIM – Graham Holland
5 BALLYMAC STUD (m) – Liam Dowling
6 LENNIES DYNAMIC (w) – Paul Hennessy
Heat 8
1 Underground Gold
2 Ballymac Odin
3 TeejaysChelms
4 LENNIES EDDIE – Paul Hennessy
5 Zenith Legend (m)
6 GLENGAR SILENT (w) – Graham Holland