Right then here we go!  The Derby reaches the 3rd Round live on Sky Sports this evening and we get to see the Derby 2017 winner in all of his (or her) glory: we just don’t know who they are yet!  Four of Team Lolly survive in a competition that has produced a few minor shocks but that is to be expected when the best hounds from across the UK and Ireland take each other on!  It’s a swelteringly hot day, I’ve had to endure a cruel wash down with a hose by my humans (why do they punish me like this?!) in order to enjoy my 3rd nap of the morning outside, so I expect the track to be lightning fast this evening.  That should play into the paws of the front-runners but this competition has proven that round Towcester the ability to stay on strongly is a huge asset so with all that to bear in mind, here are my thoughts for the action:

7:16 – Heat 1

Two hounds that have taken to the track by storm battle for early  supremacy on the inside here in Carn Brea and Pacey Bambi.  Brea (Silver to his followers) and Bambi (the Skater) look to have similar early pace to the bend in my dog’s honest opinion and with Minglers Toure looking to move across, Sallows Ford can enjoy a clear run round the outside and pick up the pieces if any trouble ensues.

Selection: T6 – Sallows Ford

7:31 – Heat 2

Shaneboy Freddie is in the swan-howl of his career but he’s not quite ready for his sofa yet as he has flown out in both rounds so far and made-all.  He is a devillishly difficult colleague of mine to pass and if he can lead Droopys Who on the inside, he can add another victory to his account.   Whilst Bruisers Bullet has a powerful galloping stride as he gets going, not many can overtake Freddie on that pesky bunny!  If Dorotas Vic stopped taking an ill-advised lie-down in the boxes, he would be a huge danger out wide.

Selection: T3 – Shaneboy Freddie

7:48 – Heat 3

Two of Team Lolly trade blows here and it is now time for Droopys Buick to ridiscover his trapping paws!  If he can ping like I used to then he can lead Cloran Paddy (who is running the track very well) and Buick has yet to be picked up on the bunny in his scintillating career.  King Eden has pace and ability but his tardy starts out of the boxes before pacing up will start to get exposed at this level now.

Selection: T3 – Droopys Buick

8:04 – Heat 4

College Paradise took a rather discernable liking for his colleague at the first bend in the second round and that has to play on the mind of his supporters.  Whether it was deliberate or not is debatable but any sort of lack of concentration can help defending champ Jaytee Jet secure a passage high-wide-and-not-so-handsome-as-me.  Paradise will have the useful early of railing Liam Og next to him to deal with and that could prove too much of a hindrance.

Selection: T6 – Jaytee Jet

8:21 – Heat 5

The seeding of Clares Rocket has been barked about in numerous circles and here he now finds himself in trap 1 where he moved middle on the run-up in his trial from the box.  That means Priceless Brandy will have to be on his toes from trap-rise and whilst his stunning early was breathtaking in the second round, he will have Rocket on his inner and the early of Crossfield Hugo on his outer this time around.  That means Fweshfromthesesh has a chance to poach a cheap lead outside and capitalise on what looks a messy make-up.

Selection: T6 – Fweshfromthesesh

8:38 – Heat 6

2015 Irish Derby winner and multiple-Category One finalist Ballymac Matt looks like he has no desires to retire, despite his antics with bitches off the track!  Here he has a great draw to work from with no real pace on his outer.  Tyrur Shay lit up the track in the second round when he flew out for arguably the first time in his career; he surely cannot repeat that feat this evening and will therefore have to negotiate Forest Con out wide.  Con is just not getting home over this arduous 500m trip and Matt has the inherent ability and attitude to back run him on the rail.

Selection: T1 – Ballymac Matt

8:56 – Heat 7

Calico Ranger (Holdem Spy Jr) did the Lolly Faithful proud in the second round with a gallant display round the outside; hopefully he can continue to keep qualifying in such vein!  Thankfully, Hiya Butt’s ridiculous “mid-tag” has been taken off him and from 3 he can use his devastating early to pace up.  That decision to change his seeding could be that connections had him fully wound-up for a victory in the second round and with that in mind, he might even put in a flat performance this evening.  Regardless of that speculation, Cable Bay is one of the few hounds who has ran the track fluently in this competition and with a complete solo (as he looks like he wants to be in 4 round here anyway), he will have his eyes on the leaders far too early.   Provided he doesn’t tuck in behind the pack on the 3rd bend as many do at the Northamptonshire circuit, the old-timer can pick up a well-deserved victory and looks very big to do so.

Selection: T4 – Cable Bay NAP

9:13 – Heat 8

In perhaps the most competitive heat, the lack of a genuine front-runner means this could easily be a race to the first bend.  If Astute Missile can trap level and then hold his pitch from the inside lane, he can assume command here down the back and this powerful colleague is unlikely to be caught.  Coolavanny Mason is a gallant contender but seems to lack a gameplan in terms of actually winning a race and looks an uneasy favourite.  Murrys Act capitalised on the track flying on the wide outside in the first round and also seems a dog who runs best fresh.

Selection: T1 – Astute Missile NB

Here are the recommendations:

7:31 – Shaneboy Freddie – 1 doggie treat @ 3/1

8:38 – Ballymac Matt – 1 breast of chicken @ 11/4

8:56 – Cable Bay – 2 dog bones @ 13/2

9:13 – Astute Missile – 2 pieces of bread @ 13/2

So there are my thoughts on the proceedings! As ever, if you have any comments please don’t hesitate to tweet me and provided I’m not in a head-induced coma, I’ll bark right back at you!  On the hottest day of the year, let’s hope all of the hounds produced a great night of action and return safe and sound!

Enjoy the racing,

Jimmy

The first round heats conclude this evening after two scintillating nights of action and the elimination of Scottish Derby victor Dorotas Woo Hoo last night shows that this format takes no prisoners!  Elsewhere Bubbly Bluebird produced a dazzling turn of foot to the bend to overcome a gallant Bruisers Bullet which is a contest that we will hopefully get to witness again further into the tournament!  The heats have served the Lolly Faithful well so far and let’s hope that can continue this evening!  As ever, I have found the value for the Lolly Faithful:

7:39 – Heat 22

A fairly weak heat paws off the proceedings and it looks an ideal opportunity for Swithins Brae to begin his campaign with a victory.  He’s yet to adapt to the English-style boxes being left at the start in the Arc and in his efforts at Towcester to date but his all-round pace should be too much for this field.  Maglass Razzle could not ask for a better draw but he has not run the track particularly well in his trials and is expected to leave the dog flap wide open for Brae to take advantage.

Selection: T4 – Swithins Brae

7:54 – Heat 23

Vancouver Shea has an eyecatching piece of trial form having caught Pacey Bambi on the 17th May who has since won his own heat very impressively.  Here he faces the progressive pup The Other Reg who has looked to chop the bend in each of his trials; therefore he is likely to encounter traffic problems which means Shea can swoop round the outside.

Selection: T6 – Vancouver Shea

8:10 – Heat 24

King Eden will have to be at his sumptious best to beat this decent field but his preparation for the competition couldn’t have gone better and whilst he stays pretty wide on the straights, he can make the bend in front and not be caught here.  Kranky Mark on his inner is a well-bred useful hound but like many he looks to the rails approaching the first so he can give Eden the freedom of Northamptonshire round the bends.  Cable Bay has not taken to the track well at all for a dog of his ability and Coconut Corker is becoming increasingly disappointing as a dog who misses the break all too often.

Selection: T6 – King Eden

8:26 – Heat 25

Defending champion Jaytee Jet makes his bow-wow here and he more than most probably wishes that the Derby was still at Wimbledon! His style is not totally suitable to Towcester as he stays wide on the bends relinquishing ground and he is also faced with a tough assignment here to clear Sonic who has been very wayward at the course!  In this all-Irish affair the call has to be Droopys Wilbury who could be tailor-made for the track.  His human Pat Buckley decided to trial all of his dogs over the 480m trip to save their legs and any hound that dips below 28 seconds for that distance is shifting!  He comfortably gets this longer trip and seems a big price to account for his compatriots!

Selection: T3 – Droopys Wilbury

8:42 – Heat 26

A nice competitive affair can go the way of locally trained Barricane Tommy who has taken a particular liking to his new surroundings.  He can turn handy to Crossfield Hugo who simply just isn’t staying the trip; whether he can gain his lungs throughout the competition is yet to be seen but his efforts so far have been full of promise until he needs oxygen off the last bend! Salacres Koeman is a young tyke with a lovely galloping stride and is well-equipped to pounce out wide should Tommy fluff his lines.

Selection: T4 – Barricane Tommy

8:58 – Heat 27

This looks a scrappy contest as I’ve never been fully convinced about Teejays Apache’s desire to chase that pesky bunny and Barricane Jack was being a naughty boy in the Gymcrack final!  Kildallon Turbo has gone rapidly backwards since his younger days when he looked a star in the making but still will be looking to edge across on the run-up.  Always Thirsty is a pinging railer around the venue and so will be cutting in from trap 4 so a chance is taken on Sallows Ford to swing round the outside and stay on.  The graded strength at Monmore perhaps isn’t as strong as it was in years gone by but he still has excelled in Wolverhampton of late and if he can build on his respectable first look then he can pick up the pieces of a race that is there for the taking.

Selection: T6 – Sallows Ford

9:15 – Heat 28

Forest Con is yet another rapid dog hailing from his superb litter but I’m not convinced he stays round Towcester and is worth taking on.  He also has the local Far Bank Frank to negotiate who could find trouble in a solo trial so preference is for Clares Dream here who has a lovely draw to work from.  He isn’t the most fluent of trappers but he can still lead up the tardy Paradise Marco and Awe Struck which can see him turn handy enough to capitalise on any stamina issues that Con might have.

Selection: T1 – Clares Dream

9:32 – Heat 29

The illustrious career of Ballymac Matt has been a joy to watch and he can win this heat as he starts to contemplate his glorious life of napping on a sofa!  Droopys Bonucci is favourite having posted a flying trial but he can often leave his races in the boxes and can ill-afford to give a dog the class of Matt a headstart.  Matt’s trial suggests there’s life in his old dog bones yet and if he can avoid the inevitable trouble on his inner then he can roll back the years this evening.  Silverhill Conor has a questionable rails tag on him for a dog that runs at least mid-to-wide and that coupled with Jaytee Dutch next to him who often forgets to turn left at the bends means there could be trouble at the first: Matt should have galloped long clear by then!

Selection: T4 – Ballymac Matt NAP

9:48 – Heat 30

Priceless Brandy comes into the tournament as one of the favourites and with a vacant box next to him he can’t ask for a better opportunity to get off the mark.  It is hard to envisage him not skipping clear comfortably down the back and his main danger Crossfield Giles is perhaps a class or two lower than the Irish raider.

Selection: T4 – Priceless Brandy

10:03 – Heat 31

The Doctor, Droopys Who, has lovely early when he gets his break right but how he adapts to being in trap 1 with the useful Azzurri Genesis on his outer means those two could get into a barging match on the run-up.  The selection is therefore Brinkleys King who can throw in the odd paw performance but he has already proved he can catch Who on the bunny and this a relentless galloping sort than can account for him again this evening.

Selection: T6 – Brinkleys King NB

10:18 – Heat 32

His father was surely one of the most unlucky Derby dogs in recent years but Holdem Spy’s son, Calico Ranger, can make amends for his family this year.  He runs just like his supremely talented father and is part of Team Lolly at a huge price.  This track is perfect for him unlike Shawfield (that he never got to grips with) as he gallops powerfully round the outside of the Northamptonshire circuit.  Tougher assignments will face him along the way but he looks value at odds-against to simply be too good for these.

Selection: T6 – Calico Ranger

Here are the recommendations:

8:42 – Barricane Tommy – 1 doggie treat @ 9/4

8:58 – Sallows Ford – 1 piece of bread @ 8/1

9:32 – Ballymac Matt – 2 dog bones @ 11/4

10:03 – Brinkleys King – 1 breast of chicken @ 5/2

10:18 – Calico Ranger – 1 chewstick @ 5/4

So there are my thoughts on the proceedings! As ever, if you have any comments please don’t hesitate to tweet me and I promise to bark right back at you!  It looks a night for the favourites this evening so let’s hope we can send the bookies home with their tails between their legs!

Enjoy the racing,

Jimmy

A superb opening night to the Derby did little to disappoint as the track was lit up by the star attractions, none moreso than Clares Rocket who flew round Towcester to a stunning new track record of 28:77.  Elsewhere, Droopys Buick got Team Lolly off to a flier as he scorched to the corner and looked as classy as ever as he pulverised his competitors with his relentless galloping style.  It was a night of few shocks although Tyrur Shay did show how hard it is to win from the back as a wide as he desperately lunged for the line to no avail at long odds-on; he will surely keep qualifying but can he give dogs that much of a head start every round?  On to Day 2 we go and as ever, I have found the value for the Lolly Faithful:

7:31 – Heat 11

Dorotas Woo Hoo hails from the magnificent Ballymac Vic x Droopys Danneel litter and he can get favourite backers off to a good start here.  Bubbly Turbo has great early but simply finds the 500m too demanding so Woo Hoo can follow him round the outside and pounce.  Castell Henry seems to have lost his early zip that made him a real handful to defeat but it would be no surprise if he were to give Turbo a run for his doggie treats to the corner.  Jaytee President is improving with each look at the track but Woo Hoo is expected to face tougher assignments along the way than this.

Selection: T6 – Dorotas Woo Hoo

7:47 – Heat 12

Bentekes Bocko has some serious Irish form to his card but with only one look at the track and a lack of experience from these traps in particular means that he can be taken on here with Minnies Highway.  Highway has gone from strength to strength at Hall Green (where the grade is notoriously strong) and left a top grade field for dead there recently which is some effort; having trialled well around the Northamptonshire venue he stands out as real value from his favoured box to rail and prove tough to peg back.

Selection: T1 – Minnies Highway

8:02 – Heat 13

Team Lolly’s Cloran Paddy makes his introduction to the proceedings here and he has been selected as a dog who gets the trip strongly and can thus keep qualifying.  There looks to be value in opposing him here though as he is not certain to get a clear run and Bubbly Express is boxed to be competitive.  Paul Young’s charge is yet to find his optimum trip but there is no doubting that he would prefer trap 0, let alone 1, and has no excuses this evening to defend the rails and get after that pesky bunny.  He looks a nice value call if he can clear Burgess Papa at the first, who isn’t blessed with natural early.

Selection: T1 – Bubbly Express

8:18 – Heat 14

Lenson Rocky has been a likeable sort throughout his career but there has to be stamina doubts for him and Master Kelly is a dog that needs no second invitation round here.  The local is poised to have a great run at the first bend as Swift Hansel has been cutting in approaching the turn in his trials so Kelly can swoop round the outside and put pressure on the weary legs of Rocky as he turns for home.

Selection: T6 – Master Kelly

8:35 – Heat 15

Drive On Tipp is fancied to go far in the tournament but he has a horror draw for a bang railer here and his desperation for the rails means that he is worth taking on here.  Black Zack is somewhat of an underrated dog for his ability and he has shown around Hove that his galloping style is a potent weapon on the bunny.  He has a great make-up to work from here and if Tipp encouters traffic problems, Richard Rees’ charge could easily make-all here.

Selection: T5 – Black Zack

8:51 – Heat 16

Arguably the most anticipated race of the whole week sees two fancied colleagues for the whole competition in Bruisers Bullet and Bubbly Bluebird pitted against each other.  This is not just a two hound race though with Newinn Shadow having serious pace (shown by his flying trials) and Dorotas Vic being a dog that looks destined to join his more esteemed brothers in the coming months.  Connections therefore must be just holding there paws together praying they can survive this heat but the draw has worked out hugely in favour of Bruisers Bullet and he has to be fancied to hold his position on the rails and beat Bluebird: he should be favourite in my dog’s honest opinion.  Bluebird for me is undoubtedly a fast dog but he has question marks over his gumption when faced with a serious battle on his paws; Bullet has already managed to break the heart of Clares Rocket at this track and he can claim another scalp here.

Selection: T2 – Bruisers Bullet NAP

9:08 – Heat 17

A tough heat to call here and with mid-moving Jaytee Denver in trap 1 likely to cause some problems it could turn into a scrappy affair.  If that is the case then Carlos Court is a genuine wide runner and can keep out of the traffic and swoop round the outside; he has tended to flatter to deceive throughout his career but on his day he’s a useful sort and can win a race like this.

Selection: T6 – Carlos Court

9:24 – Heat 18

The Wildcat enters the fray for Team Lolly here and his effortless pace is going to be a potent weapon throughout this competition.  He runs Towcester very well and the only concern with him is his inconsistent trapping.  If he can manage to ping like I used to then he is one of the fastest hounds in the competition in my opinion and can go deep in the tournament.  Newinn Blitz has his own ideas about the game but is a quick hound when he gets on with it on the bunny and can prove the biggest danger.

Selection: T3 – Dorotas Wildcat

9:41 – Heat 19

When selecting Team Lolly I was debating about whether to include Toy Soldier as he has been on my mind for a while for the tournament yet his last trial was particularly underwhelming.  He skewed out of the boxes and then never seemed to really stride out as he posted a slow time; it must be barked on that particular day that the times seemed to be all over the place based on when the bowser had been round so a chance is taken on him at a huge price.  As mentioned before, Hall Green’s grade is strong and the Soldier has become nigh-on-unbeatable round the Birmingham track as he has won from the front and miraculously picked up a high class field from the back when he missed the kick.  That sort of desire can see him keep qualifying in the Derby and at a mammoth 500/1 his odds could tumble if he can win a heat.  He meets arguably the best wide runner in the competition for me in Fweshfromthesesh and his pinging early-paced efforts as he stays powerfully out wide are going to be assets that can see him go deep in the tournament.  He is virtually guaranteed a good draw each round and these two can have a real race here.  Coolavanny Mason is useful and is another whose strong running style can see him keep qualifying; I fancy the Soldier to beat him to the bend if they trap level though.

Selection: T6 – Fweshfromthesesh

9:57 – Heat 20

Madabout Eoghan has blasted himself onto the scene with his relentless railing proving an extremely useful weapon round Towcester which even led him to have the track record at one point.  He is a bit of an enigmatic sort however and perhaps his puppyishness will come to haunt him later in the tournament but he has to be fancied to be too good for these.  Droopys Acrobat is not particularly well-housed in trap 1 and could be moving middle on the run up to give Frankies Lady some problems; all of this will be in behind Eoghan though if he can produce one of his scintillating pings.

Selection: T4 – Madabout Eoghan NB

10:14 – Heat 21

Hiya Butt is a magnificent early-paced hound but he looks awfully short in price to last home here as he barely gets an easy 480m let alone Towcesters stiff test!  Pacey Bambi has taken a real liking to the Northamptonshire circuit and is huge value to turn in the slipsteam of Butt and outstay him round the final turn.  Stay Loose is getting no younger and is perhaps on the wane but is not easily dismissed.  Keplar Nine could prove more of a threat out wide as he has trialled particularly well in preparation.

Selection: T3 – Pacey Bambi

Here are the recommendations:

7:47 – Minnies Highway – 1 doggie treat @ 8/1

8:02 – Bubbly Express – 2 breasts of chicken @ 9/2

8:35 – Black Zack – 1 piece of bread @ 7/2

8:51 – Bruisers Bullet – 2 dog bones @ 2/1

9:41 – Fweshfromthesesh – 1 chewstick @ 11/8

9:57 – Madabout Eoghan – 1 sausage @ 9/4

So there are my thoughts on the proceedings! As ever, if you have any comments please don’t hesitate to tweet me and I promise to bark right back at you!  Derby fever is starting to take hold as we settle into the competition and let’s hope for another cracking night of action!

Enjoy the racing,

Jimmy

All of the hype, all of the anticipation and all of the barking about the Derby’s new home at Towcester turns into fast–paced, exhillarating action this evening as the greatest prize in sport begins in earnest!  Much has been made about what it will take to become the champion around the Northamptonshire venue but one thing for sure is that the victor after 6 gruelling rounds will have had to display a combination of speed, stamina and resilience in the face of adversity that marks a true Derby champion.  Personally, I think it is a track that favours front-running railers but that is in individual races and the fact that the competition is so heavily subscribed with these types means that the true wide runners have to be looked at as value to keep qualifying as they are almost guaranteed good draws for the duration.  A factor that needs more emphasis is the considerable run to the drop after each race for my colleagues; the early-paced types that just about get home over the 500m trip will find it difficult in my dog’s honest opinion to last through the latter stages, particularly when faced with 3 runs in a week.  The champion is almost always the hound that manages to negotiate that week without over-exerting themselves or picking up a niggle and that could be even more pronounced with this much more testing challenge than Wimbledon’s 480m.  This Derby will have an emphasis on stamina rather than speed for me and that is my crucial consideration in selecting Team Lolly.

Tonight, we paw off the proceedings with a few of the fancied runners strutting their stuff including favourite Clares Rocket who has yet to run the track fluently to date and is still a maiden at the venue.  Only time will tell whether he can justify his short-price and lofty reputation and I for one cannot wait for the action to start!  Here are my thoughts for the heats tonight:

7:39 – Heat 1

A nice competitive affair to start the best month in racing and Astute Missile has a nice draw to work from on the rails.  However, hounds in trap 1 have sometimes skewed out of the new traps over 500m as the inside rail juts out which is what happened to him on 13 May in a trial stakes.  With that in mind, Carn Brea could easily get on the bunny here and looks value to skip clear of this field and not be for catching.  Juvenile winner Murrys Act is an erratic sort and his style of high, wide and not-so-handsome-as-me is not suited to the track and he might leave his race out on the wide bends.  Paradise Valdez has pace but has struggled when faced with classy competitors.

Selection: T4 – Carn Brea

7:54 – Heat 2

Garryvoe Bobby has taken Britain by storm as he bolted up in the Arc and has taken a distinct liking to the course and distance.  He will have to look lively to clear his compatriot Droopys Awesome but he has every chance to do so off a level break and can begin his campaign with a victory.  Dorotas Tiger has a horror draw to overcome for a bang railer which could turn into a theme for this competition: Powerful Boy out wide looks like he doesn’t have the tools to capitalise however.

Selection: T2 – Garryvoe Bobby

8:10 – Heat 3

Tiernans Gift is a character to take on when he is favourite and he will need luck-in-running to utilise his pace in the closing stages.  Beaming For You does not want to be in trap 1 as he looks to move middle but he could easily clear Ballydoyle Time and get on that pesky bunny.  With Piemans Bullet an almost confirmed non-stayer and having the hindrance of Danzey Exception looking for the rails, if For You holds his pitch at the first bend he could have his supporters and connections Beaming.

Selection: T1 – Beaming For You

8:26 – Heat 4

Rubys Rascal has been tardy to the bend at Towcester so this represents a golden opportunity for Razldazl Tierna to get on the bunny.  He stays plenty well enough to account for his market rival in red and it perplexes me like a squirrel up a tree why Tierna isn’t clear favourite for this contest: it is hard to envisage Rascal being able to back run him.  Irish raider Brandyandbaileys for that shrewd human Liam Dowling clearly has pace (judged by his trials) but he doesn’t look the most fluent of trappers and so he is best watched on British debut.

Selection: T2 – Razldazl Tierna NB

8:42 – Heat 5

Tyrur Shay produced a miraculous display of courage and power to get up in the shadow of the post on his Towcester debut in an impressive time, but a slow-away wide runner round here is tough to back with confidence at such a short price.  Preference is for Roswell Iceman who blatantly doesn’t stay the trip but has his ideal conditions with his favoured red box and Jims Chance looking to move right from the traps.  Shay will also have to negotiate Shaneboy Freddie who is not a hound to simply just waltz by and whilst if the favourite does get a clear run he will be too good, I’m happy to have Iceman off the front to cling on.  Desperately!!!

Selection: T1 – Roswell Iceman

8:58 – Heat 6

All eyes turn to the rapid Clares Rocket here who has lit up the Emerald Isle over the past year.  That fast he was the subject to a rather calamitous abduction attempt, it will be fascinating to see if he can overcome his lack of fluency round the Northamptonshire circuit.  Indeed, throughout his career he has been seeded anything from rails to wide and back again which perhaps suggests he takes a while to acclimatise to a track but there is no doubting he is a flying machine once he sorts himself out!  He could have asked for an easier first assignment with the exhillarating early of Whoops Jack on his inner but that colleague of mine will need a kennelhuman to give him oxygen off the 4th bend and so the Rocket should make no mistake.  Tougher tests will come.

Selection: T4 – Clares Rocket

9:15 – Heat 7

Droopys Buick is the headline selection for Team Lolly and his ability, prowess and tenacity can surely lead him to go close to a Derby victory at a track perfect for his style.  He was desperately unlucky not to have a chance at Wimbledon’s last Derby in 2016 through injury, but his human Jimmy Wright has nursed his superstar superbly since and this competition has been his target for some time.  He has enough early to lead any dog on his day when he gets it right (a memorable ping at Monmore last year against a Derby Final quality field was breathtaking) yet it is his desire in behind that makes him so admirable.  On Trainer’s Championship night it was billed as “Bluebird v Buick” but after both completely fluffed their lines, it was Buick who caught the eye and effectively “qualified” in that race by coming 3rd from a hopeless position: that is a Derby dog.  He does have a pawchant for the rails and so would not like to face being in 4 or more importantly 5 (where he lost all hope in the Scottish Derby Final) too often but his sprint track record trials combined with his staying prowess mean that it is going to take a serious effort to knock him out of the competition.  Here he faces a field that he should simply blitz with his main competition being Barricane Tiger who is a competitor that is at least a class below this superstar.

Selection: T4 – Droopys Buick

9:32 – Heat 8

Irish Derby Semi-Finalist College Paradise is a gutsy sort but has yet to fully adjust to the English-style boxes which means Empress Katie has a good opportunity to win a round here off the front.  Bockos Alfie is a hound that often requires a sat nav at the bends and if he runs straight off at the bend, he could easily hinder Paradise’s chances of turning second.  Jaytee Patriot is a dog who is perhaps allergic to sand in how wide he runs and will surely concede to much ground as he gallops on the grass round the outskirts.

Selection: T5 – Empress Katie

9:48 – Heat 9

The most competitive affair of the evening is predictably a tough contest to call but Minglers Toure has nice early and could be an archetypal winner at Towcester by railing off the front.  Diego Flight is a hound who can throw in mystifying performances but if he could turn handy enough he would become a huge danger to the selection.  Killeacle Wayne out wide nearly decided to enter himself into the 2m Novices Hurdle during his trial as he was that close to entering the horse racecourse so he is readily opposed.

Selection: T2 – Minglers Toure

10:03 – Heat 10

Always nice to see the best bet on the card come in the lucky last and here we have one of the reasons why the first round can be so lucrative for punting hounds like myself and the Lolly Faithful.  King Kid at odds-against of 11/10 is nearly as good a steal as when I hid my human’s shoe in the garden bush for 3 weeks!  That leathery delight for me to chew was nearly as mouthwatering a prospect as when I saw the price on Rab McNair’s flyer here and he will take some catching off the front!  Jaytee Yankee is another Irish raider that is clearly useful but Kid is a serious prospect in this competition as a whole if he can continue to clear the field out wide.

Selection: T6 – King Kid NAP

Here are the recommendations:

7:39 – Carn Brea – 1 doggie treat @ 3/1

8:26 – Razldazl Tierna – 2 dog bones @ 2/1

9:48 – Minglers Toure – 1 breast of chicken @ 3/1

10:03 – King Kid – 3 pieces of bread @ 11/10

So there are my thoughts on the proceedings! As ever, if you have any comments don’t hesitate to tweet me and I promise to bark back at you with all the gusto that this great month of racing deserves!  Let’s hope we can have a few winners tonight and most importantly, that members of Team Lolly survive any shock eliminations!

Enjoy the racing,

Jimmy