There is no doubt it has been a disapointing Derby for the Lolly Faithful with the desperate elimination of Holdem Spy on Tuesday confounding the misery, but that doesn’t stop the excitement as we draw towards the conclusion of this magnificent tournament. All of the Semi-Finalists, regardless of their reputation beforehand, are thoroughly deserving of their place and let’s hope they all cope with the 3 runs in a week. The supporting card tonight features the Derby Plate and Champion Hurdle heats which have a real strength in depth to them so it should be a cracking night! As ever, I have found some value for the Lolly Faithful:

19:10 – Derby Plate 1

This is a really intriguing contest with some high class performers and as ever in these sort of affairs, the draw is crucial and that is why Toms Knowledge is the value. Bittles Bar has always shown a tendency to run mid-to-wide at Wimbledon and that can play into the paws of Knowledge to power up the inside. He held his own for 3 bends against the track record holder Fiery Splendour in the Derby and if he can produce that sort of run, he will surely outrun his odds. Jaytee Lightning is always a game performer and is respected, as is Borneo who his human has suggested runs better earlier on a card than later.

19:25 – Derby Plate 2

There is a lot of speed here in Airfield Paudie, Southern Mesut and Brosna King. With that in mind, they could all over-exert themselves in trying to establish an early lead and Islas Scolari runs this track particularly well, as he demonstrated last year in the Derby and this. He is also capable of pinging from the 6 box and whilst he does not have the early of the aforementioned rivals, he can turn handy enough to mow them down late on.

19:40 – Derby Plate 3

Ballymac Niall has the early and the draw to lead this contest and as he demonstrated in the first round of the Derby, he is extremely hard to catch on the bunny. Mileheight Alba is draw dependent and whilst he is better housed in 3 than when eliminated in the main event when drawn in 5, he will still have to clear the useful All About Ya. Airlie Impact has not been the force of old for some time, sadly.

19:55 – Champion Hurdle 1

Westmead Meteor is an impressive hurdler and will take some beating, but there are few dogs running over the obstacles with the pace that Mash Mad Snowy has and he is value to win this. Whilst he perhaps needs further, he can turn handy enough to Meteor and put up a serious challenge down the back straight. Rummy Lord is not the same dog away from Romford but his hurdling is particularly useful and he could run well at a price.

20:10 – Champion Hurdle 2

Soviet Military is a fast fluent hurdler on the bunny but the value here is to take him on with the Irish Grand National victor Jetstream Reason. Reason, in contrast, is not the highest over his obstacles and he will have to take to the English versions to be able to be competitive, but he has abundant pace and can overturn the jolly here.

20:25 – Champion Hurdle 3

I think that the winner of this year’s tournament will come from this race in my dog’s honest opinion and as drawn, Cornamaddy Jumbo can make all. He began his career very brightly over the sticks but has since started to show less respect for them. Whilst that is a concern, Droopys Lorenzo practically runs through them too so fluent hurdling is unlikely to be on display here. Westmead Bertie has always been a likeable sort and is very well drawn, but he does not possess the brute early pace of Jumbo.

20:45 – Derby Semi Final 1

Metro Jack is of interest here back in his preferred red box but the best drawn colleague of mine is Ecclestone who, if he avoids other dogs, can catch Crokers Champ. Champ’s draw is not as bad as many suggest because he pinged like me out of 4 earlier in the tournament but his Quarter Final was trouble marred and his slow time is of some concern. Salad Dodger and Droopys Ward have run with great credit in this tournament and will be flying at the death.

21:05 – Derby Semi Final 2

Mind The Net is the clear favourite for me to win the Derby as he continues to progress since his 2nd in the Scottish Derby. He possesses useful early but it is his desire from the 2nd bend thereon that is mightily impressive. Aero Nemesis has his draw and has not put a paw wrong in the tournament so far, but he is yet to be truly tested when he has been given the lead and it will be interesting to see how he fares with the 3 quick runs in a week. Brother John simply does not know when he is beat and is a credit to himself.

Here are the recommendations:

Cornamaddy Jumbo – 1 breast of chicken @ 6/1

So there are my thoughts on the proceedings! As ever, please tweet me if you have any comments and I promise to bark back at you with as much vigour as I desperately barked on Holdem Spy last week. He may be gone from the tournament, but the Lolly Faithful will never forget his efforts and let’s see if Mind The Net can frank his form tonight.

Enjoy the racing,

Jimmy

It was a great 3rd Round for Team Lolly in the Derby with all 3 of our remaining runners progressing! Holdem Spy was one again mightily impressive in victory and the other 2 ran with credit to qualify so let’s hope they can get in the top 3 again tonight. It’s a cracking card this evening for the “Night of Passion” at Wimbledon which is celebrating 86 years of the much-maligned track; us hounds want to work in London and it would be a travesty for us if the track were to close to build some human kennels, we cannot let it happen! So let’s all get behind the celebration this evening and show what a great night us dogs can put on! As ever, I have found some value for the Lolly Faithful to get us some much needed doggie treats after a few paw weeks:

19:34 – Puppy

The young tykes have a go here and if ever there was a form guide to go on, it is the one between Droopys Jarrow and Millwards Teddy. It seems to me that they will only race if they are facing each other these days and with the class of the others likely to be exposed, I expect it to be a good tussle between Jarrow and Teddy. I am backing the latter purely because I think the trip is more suited and he has crucially has had a sighter (clocking a rapid 28:44 on fast going) and he can get a tow from the early-paced Irish raider Tynwald Bish. Jarrow is perhaps the speedier of the two in the clear, but without a look and his penchant for running into dogs as opposed to round them, Teddy can assert round the third bend and win this.

19:49 – Marathon

There was a lot of barking about the potential of Old Refrain over a marathon trip before her debut and she was mightily impressive at Hove on her extreme staying bow. There are a few potential improvers over this trip like Watch N Learn and Black Francis, but Refrain looked a really classy bitch on the bunny and her trial time suggests she has taken to the track well enough.

20:04 – Stayers

Tyrur Sugar Ray is a welcome addition to this card as his class throughout his career (dual Irish Derby finalist, English Derby Semi-Finalist) is without question, but this is his true staying bow and whilst he has his trap 1 box, he will face the task of getting past the ever-game Droopys Posh. If he can clear her early enough he may simply have too much pace but it is a big step up from 600 yards to 687 metres and with that in mind, he is reluctantly taken on here. Droopys Ed Moses is a dog with a completely different set of gears when he wants them and the fact he has been trapping of late is a concern for any of his colleagues. He liked running at Wimbledon last year in the Derby and whilst his omission from the St. Leger last year was quite simply baffling, he can show why he would have given every dog bar the living legend Farloe Tango a good race in that competition.

20:19 – Quarter Final 1

So here we go – the Quarter Finals of the Derby! First up for Team Lolly is Vanrooney who I thought ran well last week considering he decided to go on the inside round the 3rd bend which was by all accounts, dead ground on Saturday. There are no easy races or qualification spots from herein but he should take to the quick runs because of his powerful style and he can swoop late here. Aero Nemesis has been impressive throughout this competition but he definitely steps right out of the boxes and so he will need to be paw perfect to be able to clear the rapidly improving Thatchers Champ and the track-record holder, Fiery Splendour. Splendour ran pawly after missing the break on Saturday and will need to step up his game here as Brother John has shown he doesn’t want to go back to his kennel empty pawed yet and Salad Dodger will be running on gamely too. None, however, will be running on quite like Vanrooney and he can pinch this if it becomes a mess in front.

20:34 – Quarter Final 2

The other two members of Team Lolly face each other here in Sidarian Teejay and Holdem Spy. The latter, Jimmy (presumably named after me), has been simply awesome throughout 2014 and let’s hope he can stay fit to see if he can make amends for oh-so narrowly missing out on the Derby Final last year. Crokers Champ will be blazing a trail in front as he does, but that should give Teejay a nice tow to be able to hopefully get up to qualify. The Spy doesn’t lose many.

20:49 – Quarter Final 3

The form of the Scottish Derby is holding up extremely well and Mind The Net has come from Shawfield (having lost to Holdem Spy in the Final) to put in some determined and gutsy efforts. This desire was shown on Saturday where he turned behind Jordans Brianna and proceeded to mow down Charlie Lister OBE’s charge with a scintillating turn of paw. He has enough early to lead Jet Stream Duke and Ecclestone on the outside and with Ballymac Loch and Jaytee Hawaii likely to cause themselves and Metro Jack problems on the inside, Mind The Net can progress with a win here.

21:04 – Quarter Final 4

Jordans Brianna has been quietly going about his work in this tournament and the fact he is yet to fully ping like me out of his favoured red box, means that he can make amends here and assert. He got caught by Mind The Net in the 3rd Round but plugged on gamely to fend off Vanrooney for 2nd and that sort of effort can win this. He will have to lead by some way but he has a great draw to work from with the slow away Droopys Ward and Farley Chicken next to him. Roxholme Ted has yet to have a rival in front of him in the tournament but he has shown vulnerability around the 3rd bend and so will need to ping to not only clear the early-pace of Farloe Trent on his inner, but also to lead Brianna as I cannot foresee Ted back-running dogs at this stage of the tournament. That, coupled with the fact he may be even more exposed than his rivals to the short runs due to his tender age, means that he is emminently opposable in favour of the quietly progressive Jordans Brianna, who is 6 from 7 out of trap 1.

21:19 – Bitches

The bitches put on a display here to finish the proceedings and there is no classier bitch on the circuit at the moment than Greenwell Lark. She showed in the 2nd Round that when given a weak field, she can obliterate them and with Bubbly Beauty (the Puppy Derby winner over Course and Distance) her only real opposition, Lark can put on another breathtaking display of pace on the outside.

Here are the recommendations:

21:19 – Greenwell Lark – 1 chewstick @ 5/4

So there are my thoughts on the proceedings! As ever, please tweet me if you have any comments and I promise to bark back at you with as much enthusiasm as I will be displaying when Holdem Spy unleashes his pace down the back tonight! In the so-barked “Week of Death”, let’s hope Team Lolly can remain intact and move forward to the Semi-Finals on Saturday!

Enjoy the racing,

Jimmy

So we begin the so barked “Week of Death”. My colleagues at this level are simply not used to running 3 times in the space of a week and many a great dog has been caught out by the Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday schedule that they will embark on if they are fortunate enough to make it to the Semi-Finals. Tonight we will definitely see the winner for the first time on one single card and I for one, am bouncing on my sofa with excitement! Team Lolly still has 3 protagonists and let’s hope they can continue their excellent work so far: it’s tough from here! It looks an intriguing card in arguably greyhound racing’s finest night this evening due to the quality, and as ever, I have found some value for the Lolly Faithful:

19:34 – Heat 1

Fiery Splendour has been burning up Plough Lane with some scintillating displays of early and staying prowess but the track record holder could not live with Swift Keith on the bunny in March. There is no doubting that Splendour has come forward since then, but Keith has a lovely draw and has been quietly impressive during his campaign so far.

19:49 – Heat 2

This looks a very winnable race for Airport Captain who can make all as he loves to do. He relishes further than this, but he can lead the inside here and not be for catching. Kincraig Rory has figured in races at enormous prices and could pounce, whilst Bubbly Gold will be running on all-too-late in my dog’s honest opinion.

20:04 – Heat 3

The first member of Team Lolly lines up here and whilst his draw is fraught with danger, Vanrooney has the class to swoop round this field late. Jordans Brianna can blaze a trail and provided Vanrooney can negotiate Mind the Net (seeded middle for some reason) and Gizmo Classic, he can pounce on Charlie Lister OBE’s only surviving member in this year’s tournament.

20:19 – Heat 4

This looks to me that whoever leads the outside will win and with that in mind, step forward the dog with the most early in Laughil George. He is overpriced to beat Take The Crown to the bend and hold off the game Roxholme Ted for just about long enough. The inside 3 will be running on but may do each other no favours in getting a clear run, which they need.

20:34 – Heat 5

The second member of Team Lolly, Sidarian Teejay can cheat a paw draw here and show he has the pace and desire to win the Derby. Aero Nemesis has benefited massively from the unfortunate withdrawal of my colleague Westmead Chris, but he has looked vulnerable to a strong sort in the latter stages of this competition and Teejay can hunt him down.

20:49 – Heat 6

Metro Jack has a brilliant draw to work from with no dog on his outside and whilst he could make-all, I think the value lies elsewhere in the equally well drawn El Salvador. Salvador has not put a paw wrong in this tournament so far and whilst Brother John may ping and head for the rails, Salvador can hold his pitch and account for the early-pace merchants.

21:04 – Heat 7

Jaytee Hawaii has been making all in impressive fashion in the competition but he is surely vulnerable to a dog with power and that comes in the form of the useful Benkaat Nero. Nero never really sets the doggie world alight, but if he can get first run on Hawaii by avoiding the bizarrely seeded Farley Chicken, he can assert on the run-in.

21:19 – Heat 8

In a race with so much early and the fact that despite his human’s comments, I’m not sure trap 1 will suit the rapid Crokers Champ, the Spy can show his brilliance in picking off all-comers once again here. He is badly drawn, but that has never affected him in his career.

Here are the recommendations:

21:04 – Benkaat Nero – 1 piece of bread @ 9/2

So there are my thoughts on the proceedings! As ever, please tweet me if you have any comments and I promise to bark back with all the enthusiasm I will have if Team Lolly remains intact this evening! It promises to be a night full of drama, and non-moreso when the track record holder is defeated in the first.

Enjoy the racing,

Jimmy

Well, last night was a great one for the Lolly Faithful and although we lost one member of Team Lolly, the performance of the night was Holdem Spy (once again). There’s no stopping the action as the 2nd Round concludes tonight with some of the faster colleagues of mine from the first round looking to pick up where they left off. It should be a cracking night and as ever, I’ve found some value for the Lolly Faithful:

20:42 – Heat 9

This looks a fascinating contest to start the proceedings and with Swift Keith perilously drawn once again, the value is to side with impressive winner from last week Brick Lane. Zero Two, Jaytee Lightning and Crokers Champ all have pace to the bend and so Keith will have to be at his brilliant best to negotiate a clear run. That should set it up for Lane to scoot round the outside and hold the quietly impressive El Domingo.

20:58 – Heat 10

Mileheight Alba was very close to overtaking Roxholme Ted at the 3rd bend last week and with that in mind, he is opposable here. General Wolf can show more early than he did last week and with a nice looking draw, he is the value call to upset the jolly and the disappointing Droopys Norris. Norris is clearly blessed with an abundance of pace but struggles to translate that into victories and the Wolf was very game to beat the likeable Mind The Net last time out.

21:15 – Heat 11

With no pace on his inside, it is hard to see how Johnny Kwango doesn’t follow up his all-the-way success here. Ecclestone is a powerful dog but his penchant for cutting the bend leaves him in a world of trouble all too often and whilst he is an obvious danger, very few dogs can catch Kwango on the bunny.

21:32 – Heat 12

By the time they head to the traps this race could be a solo trial for Vanrooney. This 4 runner affair looks to have Pinpoint Finas and Express Master battling up front, before Vanrooney puts them to his doggie bed.

21:48 – Heat 13

Much has been made of Paradise Silva never winning 2 in a row in his career and whilst he will be hard to knock out of the tournament, that shows that he is not invincible. Droopys Odell is starting to become the unluckiest dog in training but he is not as draw dependent as he was when he was a young tyke and has pace and class in abundance. If he can maintain a true line, he can account for the Irish raiders here. Kippers Usain will have to not kip in his box like last week but he has enough early to put up a challenge to Paradise Silva, that should be enough for Odell to show his staggering pace.

22:03 – Heat 14

Another tricky looking affair with the Arc winner (King Dec), the Scottish Derby 2nd (Mind The Net) and impressive winner of the first round of the Monmore Puppy Derby (Scarface) who ran well last week. All of those can put up a cracking performance on the day but it was hard to ignore the confidence that Nick Savva’s team showed in Westmead Chris in the 1st Round and if any humans know a thing or two about us mutts, it is them. He is better drawn than his rivals here and he can make-all.

22:18 – Heat 15

It has been a paw derby for Charlie Lister OBE so far but he can bounce back here with a win for one of his barking dogs: Jordans Brianna. He has electric early to the bend and whilst he is hit-and-miss at the boxes, if he can time his break well he can pace up and hold Brother John at the first. That rival is also suspect at the boxes and whilst he has flown out the last 2 times, he is due a missed break. Bubbly Rocket is no slouch either and will not need a second invitation around one of his favourite circuits. Borneo is one to normally find trouble, unfortunately, and he is drawn to do so here. Woolie No Shoes will have to improve again to be competitive.

22:35 – Heat 16

Whilst I am pleased and congratulate Fiery Splendour for his track record performance last week, I simply cannot have that that run was faster than Razldazl Jayfkay’s effort. With that in mind, I think he is too short here and Farloe Trent was very close to clearing the bend last week and going on to assert. I think his little bump that he incurred cost him the race and he can lead Splendour and not be for catching here.

Here are the recommendations:

22:35 – Farloe Trent – 1 chewstick @ 4/1

So there are my thoughts on the proceedings. As ever, please tweet me if you have any comments and I promise to bark back at you with all the enthusiasm I showed when the Spy rode the first bend trouble magnificently yesterday! It looks a night for a few shocks to me, and hopefully they’ll go in our favour.

Enjoy the racing,

Jimmy

Well it was not the best start for Team Lolly as we lost some of our pawtfolio in the 1st Round, but the performances of the 3 that remain were at least encouraging. The 2nd Round is notoriously fraught with danger from a tipping perspective as I think too much emphasis is placed on 1 race form that we all saw last week. With that barked, there were some useful clues on how my unexposed Irish colleagues are going to run on these shores and with an intriguing card lined up today, the greatest month in greyhound racing rolls on. As ever, I have found some value for the Lolly Faithful:

20:42 – Heat 1

Farloe Calvin blasted clear on the fast going last week and if the ground is as anticipated and still on the quick side for the early races, he can bolt up here. His early acceleration had me bouncing up and down on the sofa as I reminisced of my glory days and with Salad Dodger on his inside, he can pace up and put this race to his doggie bed. Newlawn Impact ran creditably in the 1st Round having found trouble and would be a danger if he suddenly remembered how good he was as a puppy, but his form has a seriously regressive profile about it now. The aforementioned Salad Dodger will be running on and is a credit to himself for rising so steeply since his lowly A6 days and Gizmo Classic looks the type to stick around for at least the next week or so.

20:58 – Heat 2

My ears were pricked on full alert when I heard about the seeding of Hather George from rails to middle for this tournament (has ran as a middle dog his entire career) and when he got trap 1 in the 1st Round many were dreading the outcome of him impeding others. Apparently showing that the greatest human of all-time, Charlie Lister OBE, knows a thing or two about us mutts, George coped admirably with the red box and can do so again today to go one better and win. He is yet to taste success over the course and distance but he has a lovely chance here with him being able to match the early strides of Millwards Joker and then get after the trail-blazer that is likely to be Brosna King. Jet Stream Duke had a charmed run in the 1st Round and will have to be on his toes this time around and Rayvin Lad flatters to deceive in my dog’s honest opinion. George is as game as they come and can finally win a heat of the Derby in his 3rd year of trying.

21:15 – Heat 3

This is a heat that will take some winning and whilst Ballymac Niall is likely to lead, I doubt he will be able to hold off all-comers as he did last week. Jaytee Seville was a naughty boy when chasing (literally) down Ballymac Vic in the 1st Round and whilst he has pace to burn, I would prefer to back a dog who has his eyes on the prize. Take The Crown ran a shocking first bend last week and whilst he is likely to be more suited to trap 4 than 1, I think he is now drawn too far out as he definitely likes to rail. With all that in mind, it is worth siding with one of the gambles of the first round in Thatchers Champ who has always shown lovely gears. If he can clear the fast bitch in Brinkleys Queen by the halfway point, he can then pick off his rivals one by one as this looks like a scrappy affair to me.

21:32 – Heat 4

The barking dog of this heat is Leameneigh Turbo who was desperately unlucky not to clear Crokers Champ at the bend in the 1st Round: that would have been impressive. Yet, he might have another hard luck story here against the unbeaten in England, Ballygibbon King, whose performance in the first round has gone under the radar for me as he was the winner of the heat of death. As he showed a lovely turn of paw to be up with Coolavanny Bert in that race, most humans were watching to see how the likes of Droopys Odell, Farloe Nutter and Sidarian Blaze were faring, due to their prominence in the antepost market. Whilst all that was going on, King had drawn clear down the back straight and showed that if he can lead or turn handy, he will be hard to knock out of this tournament. Even if Turbo can get to the bend ahead of him, he seemed to fall in a hole on the run-in last week and whilst he is likely to come on from that leaps and bounds, King can punish any chinks in Turbo’s staying capabilities. Bubbly Gold ran very well last week considering it was his first look at the Plough Lane circuit, yet his style will always need luck in-running and the two wide drawn dogs here look useful types.

21:48 – Heat 5

Aero Nemesis confirmed the confidence his human has in him in scintillating fashion and it is worth siding with him now he has that experience under his collar. He showed a brilliant turn of paw to make the bend in the 1st Round and whilst he will have to do the same again to lead the useful bitch Greenwell Lark, Nemesis has looked a powerhouse since clocking a remarkable trial time at Romford (sub-24 seconds). Airport Captain ran well enough in defeat but he is a dog who likes to be leading and it is hard to envisage how he can do so here.

22:03 – Heat 6

The final addition to Team Lolly runs here in Sidarian Teejay. He is yet to run a bad race in his career and his only defeat came at the paws of King Dec (by a head) who is making that form look stronger by the race. Teejay is not devoid of early, has a ping in him and has devastating back straight pace. He will face tougher assignments than this.

22:18 – Heat 7

Another member of Team Lolly goes here in Graduation Day who ran a creditable second in his heat last week. Southern Mesut is likely to blaze a trail here but he was not at his scintillating best to the halfway point considering his sprinting prowess and he will need to be right on his game to beat the Irish raider here in Day. He has shown that he has taken to Wimbledon well and if he can remain fit, Graduation Day can go deep in this tournament: he can show why here.

22:35 – Heat 8

It was an incredible effort from Jimmy to nearly rein in Farloe Calvin on the fast-going this week and the new antepost favourite in places, can lead this field by halfway. Holdem Spy is quite simply awesome and whilst there is a long way to go, it is hard to see how he gets knocked out barring being knocked over. Mileheight Alba has performed appawllingly every time he has been drawn in 5, sadly.

Here are the recommendations:

22:18 – Graduation Day – 1 chewstick @ 3/1

So there are my thoughts on the first night of the Second Round. As ever, if you have any comments please tweet me and I’ll bark back at you faster than Farloe Calvin makes the first bend today. The 1st Round showed that there will be plenty of shocks and hard luck stories in this Derby, let’s hope they go in favour of Team Lolly and in particular, Jimmy. Go get them, Spy.

Enjoy the racing,

Jimmy

Well what a dramatic couple of days we have had already! The antepost market has been ripped wide open with market principles failing at the first hurdle with remarkable consistency. Whilst the Derby should be a gruelling test from round 1, I cannot help but feel that the going is too fast which has factored in to so many of my fancied colleagues exiting our greatest competition. It seems to me on this track at the moment that unless you lead, it is almost impossible to come from off the pace to win. In my dog’s honest opinion I think I could have won a round on this surface! With Team Lolly now sadly reduced to 3 hounds, we have 2 of them making their bow wow tonight with Graduation Day and Vanrooney: let’s hope they make it through! Elsewhere, after a successful night yesterday, I have found some more value for the Lolly Faithful:

19:25 – Heat 24

A fairly low key affair to kick us off here and the battle for early supremacy looks to go to the way of proven stayer Jet Steam Duke. Salad Dodger has come a long way since losing in A6’s at the start of his career but his style will not be suited if the track is running like it has done for the past two nights, which it will be.

19:39 – Heat 25

This looks like a penalty kick in a game of pawball for Fiery Splendour with no dog on his outside and Droopys Pride wanting the rails. He should blaze a trail here.

19:54 – Heat 26

It is worth taking a slight chance on the fitness of Graduation Day here who hasn’t ran since November. Blighted by injuries throughout his career, he has a lovely turn of foot and is a powerful galloper from in front or behind. If Day can lead the unknown quantity of my Hungarian colleague Attila, he will take some catching. Ballymac Matthew has to lead and is more than capable after watching his brother (Ballymac Niall) ping out yesterday but Day can be too powerful for him. Screen Critic is a class act but his injuries are career defining and he looks like he feels his way around the bends these days, sadly.

20:10 – Heat 27

This time last year Laughil George pinged from nowhere to take his first round heat and he is strongly fancied to repeat the does here with no early pace in the race whatsoever. Bubbly Gold is clearly quick and talented but with no trial and conditions against him, is hard to fancy. Islas Scolari is never out of a race, but will have to work wonders to pick up George.

20:26 – Heat 28

Airport Captain is a very fast hound on the bunny and if he can hold his pitch to the turn against the useful Priceless Bolt, he can start his campaign off in style for a dog that has been slowly nibbled at antepost. Mr Marmite has shown lovely early at Henlow and if he can translate that to the Plough Lane circuit, he could be a lively outsider here.

20:42 – Heat 29

Mark Wallis believes he’s got a Derby contender in Aero Nemesis and who could argue with the human who guided Blonde Snapper and Kinda Ready to Derby glory in recent years. He will have to be on his paws to beat these as Newlawn Impact has some stunning Irish form and Hather George was simply brilliant in last year’s Derby; question marks hang over that pair though (fully fit/age) and Nemesis can lead them all a merry dance.

20:58 – Heat 30

One of the barking dogs of the Derby lines up here in Swift Keith but with some good pace on his inside, and him not ideally berthed in trap 4, we could see another shock here. Leameneigh Turbo when right has beaten and mixed it with the best in Ireland and with a nice draw next to the erratic trapping of Greenwell Mentor, he can swoop round the outside of any trouble and not be for catching.

21:15 – Heat 31

Whether Ballymac Vic will ever claim a Classic which so many humans believe he deserves after bad draws and injuries is neither here nor there tonight; he will blow these away. The only danger could come in the form of Calzaghe George who has pace, but connections cannot be happy with Vic next to him.

21:32 – Heat 32

Hardly the most inspiring affair here but Swithins Way has some half decent formlines and can account for these. Razldazl Butch runs the track well over hurdles but has lost his way recently and Zero Two will have to be at her very best to cope against the big dogs.

21:48 – Heat 33

Borneo comes from a very decent litter and has shown in Ireland that he has pace to burn when given racing room. Underground Paul is likely to give him a start and that could be that. Express Max is a live danger as he is clearly blessed with a lot of pace, but it is hard to see Borneo getting picked up if he gains his anticipated cheap lead.

22:03 – Heat 34

Sidarian Teejay was desperately unlucky to be withdrawn from the Puppy Derby over course and distance due to injury and after being nursed back for this tournament expertly by his humans, he has flown round in preparatory trials. Themoponspeed is no mug, however, having landed some nice prizes as Catunda Joe in Ireland. It would be a great story around the kennels if Teejay could go deep in this Derby, and he will have to be able to beat dogs of the calibre of Themoponspeed to do so. Intriguing contest, this.

22:18 – Heat 35

This will be interesting to see as Vanrooney on a normal surface would hack up here but will he be able to get to the early-paced merchants? Blonde Razor has good early over a longer trip and may be able to pinch a lead here over kennel-mate Benkaat Nero who has had his setbacks. Vanrooney is the type to ignore at your peril, from anywhere.

22:35 – Heat 36

The final race of this mammoth first round – phew! In it, we have the Irish contingent of Tarbrook Taetoe and Brick Lane vying for favouritism but they could do each other no favours at all. With that in mind, it is worth backing Kerris Hawk to produce one of his fliers and repeat his encouraging trial.

Here are the recommendations:

22:35 – Kerris Hawk – 1 core of apple @ 7/2

So there we are, when it is all barked and done that will be the end of the first round of the Derby! As ever, please tweet me if you have any comments and I promise to bark back with as much enthusiasm as I will be showing if Vanrooney and Graduation Day qualify tonight! On a night that promises lots of drama, away you go Vic.

Enjoy the racing,

Jimmy

Well it wasn’t the start to the Derby that the Lolly Faithful were looking for yesterday but there is plenty more action over the next month to make amends and the run of Holdem Spy was of great encouragement for us. It was of particular note that front-runners (on the inside especially) had it all their own way yesterday and whilst I am not at the luxury (even though I am on my sofa) to react to the going because this is a preview, I suspect front-runners to go well again tonight. This round of heats look an intriguing set of races and all eyes will be on Heat 20 where the big gamble and antepost favourite Kereight King begins his campaign. Elsewhere, we have one antepost runner in De Real McCoy who will hopefully qualify and as ever, I have found some value for the Lolly Faithful from the rest of the card:

19:39 – Heat 12

Droopys Ward is progressing nicely into a strong galloping sort and having gone well in a trials stakes here against some classy hounds, he can build on his 2 from 2 wins record out of trap 1. As I barked earlier I want to be on front-runners this evening and that comes in the shape of Boom Boom Hero, but I feel that Ward has a good enough run next to the Hall Green A1 dog (Caribbean Star) to be able to get a run at my colleague in 4. If Boom Boom Hero wins, beware of the track conditions as Ward should have too much pace and ability with a clear run in my dog’s honest opinion.

19:54 – Heat 13

Here we have some unexposed sorts against a classy performer around here in Bubbly Rocket. Whilst the Rocket is always one to consider around this track having gone so well from the front in last year’s Derby, he is a mid-rails sort who will be desperate to come in from trap 6. In his only career start he did win from 6, but that was not against Derby dogs and he was afforded a cheap lead on the inner. With that in mind, he is passable in favour of a dog who could be anything: Take The Crown. This highly-regarded Perry Barr raider has been beating average sorts with consummate ease in the Midlands and stepping up in class today could be the making of him. If he is not up to it, Barefoot Agent will not need a second invitation having looked so powerful and cute against Jolly Bullseye when he backed off at the 3rd when Bullseye slammed the door shut on his nose at the third bend last week. The value has to be with Take The Crown who is capable of being a bit special.

20:10 – Heat 14

A front-runner who will not give his lead in easily is Ballymac Bobbyjo who was admirable in the Monmore Puppy Derby when he poached a lead on the eventual winner, Farloe Nutter. Leading Nutter is no mean feat and Bobbyjo can assert against this field. One of the barking dogs of this tournament is Paradise Silva but he gets beat all too frequently at short odds to be recommended here; worthy favourite though he is, Bobbyjo takes a lot of catching, especially on the anticipated going.

20:26 – Heat 15

Jolly Bullseye warmed up for his tilt at our greatest prize by blitzing out in trademark fashion and doing his all to repel the aforementioned Barefoot Agent. He should come on for that run and he has the ability to poach a lead and not be for catching against another of the same prefix in Barefoot Scholar. Scholar was rated more highly than Agent before the tournament having clearly been impressive behind closed-doors, but he has looked a little too green being such a young, inexperienced type and the grand servant that Bullseye is, is value to lead and repel all-comers here. Express Master clearly has ability but injuries may have taken their toll; his big presence will not do Scholar any favours at all, however.

20:42 – Heat 16

Greenwell Lark is hardly ideally berthed in trap 4 for a wide bitch but it is hard to make a case for any of her rivals being good enough or well-drawn enough to beat her here. Without any real pace on her outside, she can quickly get to the front on the wide and then pick off any dogs that may have slipped her paw grasp on the inner.

20:58 – Heat 17

Exocet is clearly a very fast colleague of mine and will take all the beating if he brings his A-game to work here, but he is yet to win this year (from 4 starts) having been sent of 5/4, 6/4, 9/4 and Evens. With that in mind, he is worth taking on until he shows his confidence has been restored and he will have to be on his paws to match the early of ex-Irish Ballymac Niall. Bred to be a sprinter, Niall has shown a liking for the run-up at Wimbledon and will relish the ground if it is as quick as yesterday.

21:15 – Heat 18

The Heat of Death, so to bark here, with heavyweights Droopys Odell and Sidarian Blaze being the meat in the juicy sandwich of the old-timer Coolavanny Bert (3rd in Derby 2012) and young tyke Farloe Nutter. I just cannot see how there will not be trouble in this as Bert is a reliable pinger and a big old dog. Odell could clear him with an absolute flier, but he is hardly renowned for scintillating early even if he has been pinging a lot better of late. Farloe Nutter is unlucky with his draw as he has the potential to be a useful dog but his role could be more in perturbing Sidarian Blaze, who did not like it out of 4 at all at Sheffield and has looked like he doesn’t like dogs leading him. Of course, like any of these inside 4 he could get an absolute flier but that is hardly comforting at his odds and with the unexposed, unbeaten in England Ballygibbon King looking like he wants the rails too, this could be chaos. That could set the race up for Ballymac Bocko who has disappointed since his debut couple of runs but definitely has the pace to at least be up near to these should it turn into a scrappy affair and he is drawn to outrun his odds.

21:32 – Heat 19

Here we have our outsider of Team Lolly running in De Real McCoy. He has a good opportunity to lead here with Lemon Laveer dropping out and Johnny Kwango normally saving his best for trials (although that best is very fast). McCoy is under the radar for me and if he can put in a solid set of runs (which he struggles to do, admittedly), he can run well in this year’s Derby: it starts here.

21:48 – Heat 20

The Antepost gamble Kereight King will go off a warm order here and if he can trap better than he has done around Wimbledon, he is sure to go close with his ability. Tonight, however, he meets a rapidly improving, pinger of a dog in Brother John who is beginning to show more consistency at the boxes, which is crucial for him. If he can pinch a lead, he will be hard to reel back and whilst King can qualify, John is the value to beat him.

22:03 – Heat 21

One of the few genuine sprinters runs here in Southern Mesut and if he can confirm his stamina (which Charlie Lister OBE believes he can), he will go deep in this year’s Derby. His scintillating early will be a devastating weapon and he can make all here from the erratic King Dec and the well-drawn but stamina doubtful Borna Karma.

22:18 – Heat 22

Airfield Paudie has held a prominent position in the Antepost market without actually really doing anything and whilst he could be a very good dog, I am yet to be convinced without seeing him run around Wimbledon. Farley Champ brings decent puppy form to the table here and he has the ability to lead and assert if Paudie is not quite as talented as some believe.

22:35 – Heat 23

An intriguing affair to end the evening here and whilst Candlelight King is a tenacious sort from Sheffield, he has yet to prove himself effective elsewhere. El Flutter is arguably Mark Wallis’ best hope to regain his Derby crown that he won with Blonde Snapper two years ago and has enough all-round ability to win this concluding race. Gizmo Classic is a strong sort who is of interest given his style of running.

Here are the recommendations:

10:03 – Southern Mesut – 1 chewstick @ 7/4

So there are my thoughts on Day 2 of the proceedings. As ever, if you have any comments please tweet me and I’ll bark back at you faster than Southern Mesut makes the bend this evening! It should be another cracking night of racing and let’s hope De Real McCoy is de real deal.

Enjoy the racing,

Jimmy

So here we are, the English Derby is upon us! With such a deep and classy entry of my colleagues, it is sure to provide us with great entertainment over the next month and hopefully, plenty of doggie treats for the Lolly Faithful. Team Lolly has been assembled to try and claim that winner’s jacket on the 31st May and we have 4 of our antepost team running this evening. Hopefully it will be a successful night for them and as ever, I have found some value in the racing:

19:39 – Heat 1

We don’t have to wait too long before the first of Team Lolly struts his stuff and here, Lough Messi can show his scintillating pace to the bend to make-all. He is in fine fettle and will have enough gears to hold 2013 finalist Bittles Bar at the bend. Westmead Alexis is fast-away but is stepping up in class and Melodys Gamble will almost certainly leave it too late.

19:54 – Heat 2

Scarface produced a staggering run in the First Round of the Monmore Puppy Derby but has had a lot of problems in-running since and I can’t justify why he is so short. The 2 Hall Green raiders of Cu Na Mianta and Supreme Turbo will probably hinder each other’s chances as both have similar pace to the bend. All of that considered, this looks a great race for the Irish to land the spoils in El Domingo who should be afforded plenty of room, particularly if Scarface misses the break, and Domingo looks a sort to last for a while in this Derby.

20:10 – Heat 3

In a race full of early, the draw is crucial and the best drawn dog out of these is Hipower Bucko who is in ominous form. He can lead Reel Trickyone to the bend and it is hard to see how Kippers Usain can get a clear run unless he gets an absolute flier: he is worth taking on with Bucko at the prices.

20:26 – Heat 4

Much has been barked about Pay Freeze and a potential bruising problem but he can allay those fears here by making it 19 wins from 23 starts. I have waxed lyrical about him in my antepost pawtfolio so I won’t bark anymore about him but if he is fit, he can leave these standing still. Pinpoint Finas takes a marked step up in class and will have to be paw perfect and Kielduff Blitz seems to get lost around this circuit. Droopys Norris saves his best for trials, sadly.

20:42 – Heat 5

The Puppy Derby winner over course and distance has a lovely run here in Bubbly Beauty and she can ping out to poach an unassailable lead. Brosna King has lovely early but his role will primarily be stopping the pacey but frustrating Rayvin Lad out wide. Beauty doesn’t need a second invitation round here.

20:58 – Heat 6

Reigning champion Sidaz Jack starts his campaign here for Team Lolly and he has a great draw and therefore no excuses. He has raced this year unspectacularly but he seemed to hit the 3rd bend when challenging last time out, putting paid to his chances, and he can show that if he can improve through the tournament like he did last year, he will take the world of beating. Ecclestone paced up well in his trial stakes but can often be left at the start and find unneccesary trouble: not for me at the price.

21:15 – Heat 7

This is an intriguing affair with Irish form providing a real puzzle. Mind The Net could hardly have been more impressive in success and defeat in the Scottish Derby and after a satisfactory trial, he can be a gutsy winner here. European King and General Wolf have decent early but will have to secure clear passages as drawn. Forest Gavin has had the Derby come too soon for the young tyke, in my dog’s honest opinion.

21:32 – Heat 8

Jordans Brianna is unbeaten out of trap 1 and after connections are confident that his tumble will not have affected his mind set, he can make all here. Calzaghe Jack has not had a look which is a huge concern for an in-and-out sort like him and Airlie Impact, however sad, is simply not the force he was when he came 2nd in the Derby last year: he can qualify though.

21:48 – Heat 9

Mileheight Alba is a draw dependant colleague of mine and especially now the early of Son of Delboy is not in the race, he can assert on the rails and set Roxholme Ted a serious challenge. Ted did not like coming out of trap 4 at all at Monmore and Alba will have too much class for him if he shows any chinks in his armour when not drawn in 6. Buoy Johnny has pace but struggles to find a suitable distance, his presence can further hinder Ted however.

22:03 – Heat 10

The English Derby Semi-Finalist last year and Scottish Derby victor this year lines up in the form of the ever-likeable: Holdem Spy. Jimmy, as he is known, not only has a great name but has a great temperament for his work and he can account for a useful field here. The early of Farloe Calvin and Jaytee Lightning will set Jimmy a target, but he has picked up faster dogs than those in his career.

22:18 – Heat 11

Whenever Garryglass Rodge is drawn outside of his colleagues, they should be wary and out in 4 here he could cause chaos, again. Sidaz Pedro and Metro Jack will really have to be on their paws to slip clear of him and with that in mind, attention should be focussed on the wide drawn dogs. Farloe Trent has been supported but can miss the break on occasion and because of that, the value is for Viking Jack to outrun his price and show the pace he has shown glimpses of in his fledgling career.

Here are the recommendations

22:18 – Viking Jack – 1 rump steak @ 8/1

So there are my thoughts on the first night of our work’s greatest competition! As ever, please tweet me if you have any comments and I promise to bark back with the enthusiasm I will have when I see the hare moving for the first race! Team Lolly is ready to go and let’s hope the Lolly Faithful can be dining in style at the end of tonight and at the end of May.

Enjoy the racing,

Jimmy