Paul Blake reviews the best of Sunday’s greyhound action from Towcester.
The RPGTV Juvenile at Towcester became a bit of a procession as Arkady took full advantage of a quick start to make all in this much anticipated four bend invitational for trainer David Mullins.
Bradys Bullet (B Green) was by no means disgraced in his first outing since winning the PGR Puppy Derby final. However, after trapping like a somnambulent snail (at this level), he found the first bend more crowded than Covent Garden tube station during rush hour. But, unlike at Monmore a fortnight ago, he was unable to thread his way through the traffic, nor did he make a spectacular impression down the back straight this time. When ‘the bullet’ did manage to fire down the barrell, his chance had gone, although he did pass two on the run-in to finish fourth.
The 4/5 favourite, Romeo Command, might consider himself a little unlucky to have finished runner-up. Bidding for a tenth straight win in open company, Patrick Janssens brindled dog tangled a little with Frank Gray’s Makeit The Bear at turn one effectively ruining the chances of either dog as they finished second and third respectively.
Kennelhand, Sian Thornton was far from disappointed with Makeit The Bear. Speaking on Twitter, she declared, “Today wasn’t meant to be, but what a performance from him. After his spell of the sickness only a few months ago, I am over the moon with him. He did not disappoint, and you would have thought he won with all the love he received after his race. Bear our special boy.”
Hopes Rhino justified his odds-on favouritism to land the third heat of the Kab Maiden Derby Trial Stakes. Completing the Towcester circuit in one of the fastest times of the trial heats, (only 6 spots outside of the RPGTV Juvenile winning time) ‘the rhino’ overcame early crowding at the first bend before taking charge off the second. Jason Heath’s charge could well be the one to watch in the latter stages of this competition.
Longacres Pele, Pat Doocey’s blue and brindled dog by Vulturi (Aug 20), may be another for the shortlist in the Kab Maiden Derby. In a scrappy first heat, he showed great determination to overcome a slow start and early crowding to thread a path and find a way to win near the line.
After the earlier action, the three Derby Trial Stakes races underwhelmed a little. Antigua Bigun (M Wallis) lost out to Master Ten Ten (A Thompson) in the first after being forced wide at the first bend.
In the second of the Derby Trials, Bockos Palace (K Boon) stamped his authority on proceedings. After bullying his way to the front at the first bend, the orange jacket was never headed.
The third and final trial was eventually taken by the 5/6 favourite Romeo Mission (D Mullins) after he went the long way around, only to duck between rivals off the last bend. Finding a little room to open up, he went on to win by 1 1/4 lengths.