westmeadhawk
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Follow the Bunny - Derby Final NightWhat to say about tonight’s Derby Final? Most of it has already been written or said somewhere or another in the press and I have nothing new to add to the pre-race debate really!
I won’t be picking the Derby winner tonight (if I have not already done so) so I will only mildly suggest backing the disappointments in my antepost wallet plus a promising pup
T2 Westmead Diver 7.08
T5 Westmead Lord 10.35
T1 Farloe Reason 11.15
In the real deal the contenders are:
In 1 we have Kryptonite, representing UK and the maestro Charlie Lister
In 2 Lenson Express, trained by Tony Collett and also representing the UK
In 3 Tyrur Kieran, trained in Ireland by Paul Hennessy and the Scottish Derby Champ
In 4 Loyal Honcho, the oldest dog in the field, trained by Seamus Graham from Ireland
In 5 Tyrur Laurel, also trained by Paul Hennessy
In 6 Blonde Dino, trained by John Mullins, out of Ireland formerly but representing the UK
Before the fat lady sings we should take our hats off to Paul Hennessy who has got two charges through to the final of this most demanding competition, as well as to the other four trainers. We should also tip our hats to the now deceased, but nonetheless pre-eminent sire Top Honcho, who is represented by no less then four runners in the field!
I will also allow myself a moment of brief indulgence as two of my five antepost picks have miraculously made it to the final, but I am under no illusion that there has been plenty of luck and only a little judgement in that feat…
| Quote: | Westmead Lord
Farloe Reason (although I was torn between another of Lister's dogs - Rossacredibility - who is a smart performer timewise and at the track)
Loyal Honcho - gotta have an Irish dog and he is lightly campaigned for his years
Lively outsiders available at 50s +
Blonde Dino - unlucky last year and although something to find timewise on recent Don trials could be coming to the bubble for the month's end
Eye Onthe Veto - an old reliable who runs well here for a respected trainer. Old enough too but has recently run his fastest time so coming in great heart. |
Tonight I would be lying if I didn’t confess that my heart lies with Loyal Honcho and especially Blonde Dino, although if Tyrur Kieran triumphs in his second Derby this year I will be cheering him blindly as the sport needs a hero such as a dual Derby champion. He would then be able to go forward into the last leg of the Triple Crown with eyes fixed firmly on the £1 million bonus!
Some years back I backed another runner owned by Mark Currell - Blonde Mac (33/1) in a Derby final (against Westmead Hawk no less) so if Dino could turn on his electric pace switch from the stripes box tonight we could be in business.
Make no mistake this final, thanks to the superb contenders and the quixotic draw, is as the market suggests, there for the taking and I can only urge all fans to enjoy, thank all connections and dogs for their platinum efforts and wish all concerned all the best.
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