Greyhound Derby antepost preview and selections

Recommended bets: Greyhound Derby

1pt e.w. Priceless Brandy at 16/1 (1/4 1,2,3,4,5,6)

1pt e.w. Tyrur Shay at 33/1 (1/4 1,2,3,4,5,6)

0.5pt e.w. Bubby Torpedo at 300/1 (1/4 1,2,3,4,5,6)

By Ian Brindle

Jaytee Jet will attempt to follow in the pawprints of luminaries such as Mick The Miller and Westmead Hawk by posting back-to-back Derby victories and his achievement would be all the more spectacular if he can do so at two different venues. 

The sport’s premier classic has moved to Towcester following the closure of Wimbledon, and with many new variables in play, including a return to racing over 500 metres, it promises to be the most open renewal for some time. 

In an era where stadium closures have become the norm, Towcester burst onto the scene in 2014 with its concentration upon facilities, staging and entertainment. 

However, the track has not met with universal approval. Spectators are well away from the action so the famous 'Derby roar’ may lack its well-meaning ferocity and there is a perception that the wide bends have produced a distinct bias toward greyhounds that are drawn close to the rails and race handily.     

This could go some way to explaining why of the 210 entries received, 155 were seeded rails, with just 22 middle and 33 wides. Employing even the most simple of mathematics, it is clear that not every railer will get its draw.  

Following a number of subsequent withdrawals, 190 names went into the drum and three runners will progress from each of the 32 first-round heats. 

Respected Irish journalist Ian Fortune has suggested that this year’s Derby will be about ‘unknowns’ and ‘knowns’ and his observation is pertinent in many ways.

Four of last year’s finalists will return but the decimation of the Open race calendar at Shelbourne Park has meant that many of the traditional signposts have not been there for punters. Consequently, a number of the market leaders have been absent from the racetrack and appearances have been limited to trials.  

Jaytee Jet hasn’t been out too often since his Plough Lane success but connections have been clear that a title defence was always the aim. Towcester’s extra 20 metres shouldn’t inconvenience and he’s virtually guaranteed to be in box six (or five) throughout the competition. He’s in the stripes in his opening round heat on Saturday although he could face an early hazard if the errant Sonic gets in his way. 

Paul Hennessy made no secret of how he coveted victory in an English Derby and for this reason among many, kennelmate PRICELESS BRANDY makes plenty of appeal.

An emphatic winner of the Irish St Leger at Limerick, connections went to the trouble of sending him over for trials at Towcester in February.

A minor injury prevented a return visit for a couple of months, but the abandonment of the Easter Cup could work to his advantage, as he will head into the Derby as a fresh dog. 

Clearly, the kennel knows what's required to win a Derby and recent time figures suggest this one is coming back to fitness and rates their best hope.

Clares Rocket had been a long-time favourite for the Derby in the antepost lists although he was removed from the betting after he sensationally went missing from Graham Holland’s kennels during the winter.

2016 was nevertheless a good year for the son of Confident Rankin with victories in the Produce Stakes at Clonmel and the Champion Stakes at Shelbourne Park. 

Defeats in two trial stakes at Towcester saw him drift out in the betting but there were excuses as he was crowded at vital stages. The early rounds of the Derby are all about progression and this weekend’s draw appears to have been kind.         

TYRUR SHAY accounted for Clares Rocket in one of those stakes, and while his wide tag will put off many, there has been a steady stream of market confidence and his price of 33/1 is fair.

Seeded middle on that occasion, he showed plenty of resolution to record a last-gasp success. Having gone well in the Juvenile Derby at Harold’s Cross, there should be no problems with the quick turnaround between runs. 

His staying-on style should see him progress through the early rounds and as one of the best finishers in the competition, he could be a major threat to all come the closing stages.

Droopys Wilbury got the better of him in that final and Pat Buckley’s charge will also be making the journey from Ireland. He disappointed badly in the Racing Post Juvenile earlier in the year but while that is a worry, his handler is a past master at getting his dogs to peak at the right time.      

Droopys Buick is arguably the best-known greyhound in Britain at the moment and having been withdrawn on the eve of the 2016 Derby, he ironically arrives into this year’s renewal after suffering another reverse in the final of the Scottish Derby. 

Angela Harrison’s dog showed he retains his ability with some fantastic performances in the earlier rounds at Shawfield but he cannot afford to miss the break here, and with a low draw appearing a determining factor in his performances, it’s with a heavy heart that I’m looking elsewhere.  

Dorotas Woo Hoo took the spoils at Shawfield and there could be no crabbing the manner of that success.  

Interestingly, he is a member of the all-conquering Ballymac Vic - Droopys Dannell litter. Yielding no fewer than eight Open race winners among its number, his brothers Dorotas Wildcat, Dorotas Vic and Forest Con will also be taking their chances in this year’s competition.

With just 13 races under his belt, Charlie Lister’s charge could be anything and he spearheads a powerful team for the Newark maestro.  

The seven-times Derby winner will also field Cloran Paddy. He performed with plenty of credit at Wimbledon last year and will return to four bends having failed to deliver in the St Leger. 

Newinn Shadow is an interesting recruit to the kennel. A regular in puppy finals for Seamus Cahill, you could have readily found 66/1 just a week ago but the layers soon ran for cover when he delivered a fantastic trial of 28.95 seconds.

On Friday, he will be involved in the pick of the first round heats alongside Bruisers Bullet and Bubbly Bluebird.    

The former is one of a battalion from the Mark Wallis kennel and he has a fine record around Towcester with two wins from his three previous starts. 

Bubbly Bluebird is sure to have his supporters and few would begrudge Paul Young a Derby winner having gone close on a number of occasions.  

The blue dog missed the Scottish Derby with injury and having won the Kent Derby around the sweeping turns of Central Park, he will be a big player in this competition if back to his best. A genuinely fast dog, he’s around 8/1 to post the fastest sectional of the Derby.  

Young has proved particularly adept at getting the best out of his seemingly unfancied runners so I cannot leave BUBBLY TORPEDO out of my portfolio at his current odds of 300/1. 

Last year’s Essex Vase winner is no forlorn hope and with decent early pace and a confirmed ability to stay further than this trip, his odds are an insult to what he has achieved.

A recent trial figure wasn’t the quickest though he appeared to hold a good racing line around the track. Still, with each-way terms paying out on the first six finishers he’s worth a speculative punt as a proven top-grade performer over six bends.

Droopys Bonucci announced his arrival with a recent sub 29-second trial and Dean Childs’ dog has seen plenty of market activity. I do, however, prefer the chances of Black Zack at slightly longer odds.   

At almost 37kg, he’s no lightweight and that physicality could come in handy if there is any bunching at the bends. Second to Garryvoe Bobby in the Arc at Swindon, he is trained by Richard Rees – whose father Philip trained the winner of the first Derby to be staged at Wimbledon. 

The first two rounds will be shown on Racing Post Greyhound TV, with Sky Sports taking over coverage from the third round.  The opening heats commence on Thursday at 1930 BST.

Posted at 1250 BST on 29/05/17.