Ian Brindle previews the third round of the 2017 Star Sports English Greyhound Derby at Towcester on Saturday evening.
The action will be shown live on Sky Sports 3 from 1900 BST - click here to place your bets on the outright market with Sky Bet, still offering 1/4 odds 1-2-3-4
Sky Sports takes up coverage of the Star Sports English Greyhound Derby this Saturday, and the only given is that we’ll see the champion somewhere among the eight third-round heats.
At this point, the Derby kicks into another gear. Connections may feel they are within touching distance of the prize but their charges will now face three rounds in the space of a week.
This year’s competition hasn’t been without its controversies and talking points. No further changes can be made to seedings from hereon in, and the racing manager has taken the opportunity to remove a contentious middle seeding from Hiya Butt.
Worries about the track have proved largely unfounded with fairness to both front and back runners, though the much-lauded bias to inside runners hasn’t totally been ironed out (as seemed the case on Saturday), and it has certainly paid to be near the pace.
The task of whittling down the runners has seen a number of high profile exits over the last fortnight.
Scottish Derby winner, Dorotas Woo Hoo lost all chance with a slow break in the first round, whilst Bubbly Bluebird, Droopys Wilbury and Dorotas Wildcat all encountered trouble in the second round and saw their campaigns draw to a premature close as a consequence.
A total of 14 Irish-trained dogs remain in the Derby, with seven of the top 10 in the ante-post lists hailing from the Emerald Isle.
Tyrur Shay was a general 33/1 chance at the start of competition (and advised here) and his track record performance last Friday saw his odds tumble into single digits. Pinging the lids in a manner that was largely unexpected, PJ Fahy’s dog soon cleared away from the opposition and all eyes were on the clock.
We’ll see him in the sixth heat on Saturday where former Irish Derby winner, Ballymac Matt is among the potential dangers to quarter-final qualification.
Clares Rocket and Priceless Brandy have progressed to this point unbeaten and barring a dead-heat, at least one of them will surrender that flawless record in heat five.
There was an element of luck about the former’s victory in the second round when Madabout Eoghan decided to take exception to Bubbly Turbo, but Graham Holland’s dog has done little wrong thus far, and if coping with a red jacket draw, he seems open to improvement.
Priceless Brandy was impressive in his heat earlier that evening and Paul Hennessy’s dog appears to be over the issues that prevented him taking part in the Scottish Derby.
Reigning champion Jaytee Jet is still very much in the competition. His trapping at Towcester has left a little to be desired and his class has seen him through so far. He has arguably drawn one of the weaker heats of the round and connections will be confident of progression.
Droopys Buick was turned over at short odds last week. Last year’s Greyhound of the Year hasn’t totally convinced in this competition but he hasn’t had much luck with the draws. The figures suggest he can gain first run in heat three, though he’ll be given a stiff test if Cloran Paddy is anywhere near him by the final bend.
Track form counts for plenty at Towcester and Bruisers Bullet looks to be the best of the ‘locals’ still standing. Mark Wallis’s dog lived up to his name by dodging the bullet of the railing Hiya Butt in the second round, and his backers will hoping that he can secure a clear run in heat two.
The Derby always has its stories and the biggest dog remaining in the competition is Carn Brae.
It won’t be too often that you’ll see greyhounds topping 40kg in the highest company but the April 15 whelp showed himself to be no slouch last week by delivering a 5.12 sectional last week and fending off Forest Con once headed. He’ll need to be on his toes again in an opening heat that includes Pacey Bambi and Arc hero, Garryvoe Bobby.
Selections for Saturday evening:
7.16 T6 Sallows Ford
7.31 T3 Shaneboy Freddie
7.48 T3 Droopys Buick
8.04 T6 Jaytee Jet (NAP)
8.21 T2 Priceless Brandy
8.38 T5 Tyrur Shay
8.56 T4 Cable Bay
9.13 T5 The Other Reg
The action will be shown live on Sky Sports 3 - click here to place your bets on the outright market with Sky Bet, still offering 1/4 odds 1-2-3-4