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