The 2018 Greyhound Derby Final

This race was run at Towcester on Saturday 2nd June 2018.
The Youtube link below, shown courtesy of Towcester TV, is a 1 minute clip of the final
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BN0-oaiWSn0

In a close betting heat Droopys Verve was made the 7/4 favourite but was challenged for favouritism by Dorotas Wildcat at 2/1. As the traps lifted it was Dorotas Wildcat who made the slicker start to lead around the first from Dorotas Vic on the outside. Wildcat maintained a length lead around the second as Droopys Verve began to mount a challenge, but Dorotas was able to repel the late surge by the favourite to win by a comfortable length and a half, with Dorotas Vic staying on to claim third place in front of the fast finishing Bruisers Bullet. Bombers Bullet, on the inside, and Whoops Jack, on the outside, were crowded at the first and both failed to pose a threat.

Semi-Finals run on Saturday 26th May 2018

First Semi-Final

In the first semi-final the strong favourite was Droopys Verve (4/5 fav) from trap 4 and he did not disappoint his supporters. Smartly away from the boxes, he led at the first and enjoyed a trouble free run, unlike the rest of the field. At the first bend there was bad bumping, with the main sufferers being Rising Brandy (9/4) from trap 2, Saleen Ash (25/1) from trap 5 and Borna Gin (8/1) from trap 3. At the first Droopys Verve held a 3 length lead from Bombers Bullet (9/2) and Dorotas Vic (16/1) who had both avoided the early scrimmaging. Droopys led throughout to score a comfortable 4 ¼ length victory from Bombers Bullet, with 3 lengths back to Dorotas Vic who claimed the final qualifying place. Borna Gin was a further 3 ¼ lengths back in fourth, with Saleen Ash in fifth and the unfortunate Rising Brandy in the rear.

Second Semi-Final

In a competitive betting heat Dorotas Wildcat was made the 11/10 favourite from the 3 box, closely followed by Bruisers Bullet at 2/1, while both wide runners, Innocent Time (9/2) in trap 6 and Whoops Jack (6/1) in trap 5, also enjoyed support. As the traps lifted it was Whoops Jack who broke smartly to lead around the first bend from Dorotas Wildcat and Wildfire Legend (33/1). There was bumping behind the first 3, with Innocent Times and Oi Oi Upenalty (16/1) suffering the most. Down the far side Whoops Jack maintained his lead from Dorotas Wildcat, while Bruisers Bullet, who was bumped at the first, started to make up ground. A good race developed between the front pair, with Whoops Jack holding on by a short Head from the favourite Dorotas Wildcat, with 1 ½ lengths back to Bruisers Bullet who claimed the last remaining place in the final. Wildfire Legend was 1 ¾ lengths back in fourth, just a short head in front of Innocent Times in fifth, while Oi Oi Upenalty was a further 2 ¾ lengths back in last place.

Quarter Final heats run on Tuesday 22nd May 2018

There was a 75% success rate of top rated dogs in the quarter finals and a £35 profit to a level £10 stake.

FIRST QUARTER FINAL

In the first quarter final Crossfield Will, boxed in Trap 3, was made the uneasy 6/4 favourite ahead of inside drawn Borna Gin at 5/2. As the traps lifted it was Wildfire Legend who made a slick start from the rails box and led at the first bend from Calico Brandy, Crossfield Will and Borna Gin. There was scrimmaging at the first, with Calico Brandy and Crossfield Will suffering the most. Wildfire Legend continued to lead until the home straight, when the fast finishing Borna Gin and Oi Oi Upenalty both mounted their challenges. At the line it was Borna Gin who got his nose in front to win by ¾ length in 29.32, from long-time leader Wildfire Legend (10/1), with Oi Oi Upenalty (9/2) just a short head back in third, and only a further short head denied Crossfield Will from a semi-final place. Newinn Shadow (8/1) was fifth, leaving Calico Brandy (6/1) in the rear.

SECOND QUARTER FINAL

Ante post favourite Dorotas Wildcat was made the well-supported 4/7 favourite in the second quarter final on the back of impressive early round victories and an inside draw. However, it was Innocent Times (4/1) from the five box, who was quickest away and led around the first two bends before the Favourite mounted a telling challenge. In a good battle between the two, Dorotas Wildcat prevailed by half a length in 29.17 seconds, from Innocent Times, with outside drawn Dorotas Vic (10/1) a length and a half back in third. Bubbly Bluebird (6/1) had every chance, but failed by a neck to claim a semi-final place, while Alfies Prince (16/1) was ¾ length back in fifth, and King Elvis (5/1) just a neck further behind in last place.

THIRD QUARTER FINAL

Strongly fancied Droopys Verve was made the evens favourite in the third quarter final and he did not disappoint his many supporters. He led at the first from Saleen Ash (16/1) and Bruisers Bullet (15/8) and there wasn’t a moment of worry for his fans as he led throughout to win by 2 ¼ lengths in 28.88 seconds, with Bruisers Bullet 1 ¾ lengths in front of Saleen Ash at the line. Calico Ranger (8/1) was slowly away on the wide outside, but finished with a flourish to claim fourth, failing by just half a length to reach the semi-finals. There was 7 ½ lengths back to Droopys Dresden (10/1) who never factored, while Karlow Scolar (10/1) suffered an early bump was a short head away in last place.

FOURTH QUARTER FINAL

In the most competitive quarter final of the night Rising Brandy was made slight odds on 10/11 favourite ahead of Bombers Bullet (9/4) and Whoops Jack (3/1). Punters were sent home happy when Rising Brandy made his usual slick break to lead at the first from the wide runners Salacres Vincent (50/1) and Whoops Jack. Rising Brandy continued to hold a healthy lead throughout and win impressively by 4 lengths in 29.01 from Whoops Jack, with the fast finishing Bombers Bullet ¾ length back in third. Jelly Flood failed by a short head to claim a semi-final place in fourth.

Third Round heats run on Saturday 19th May 2018

There was a 75% success rate of top rated dogs in the third round and a £66 profit to a level £10 stake.

Second Round heats run on Friday 11th and Saturday 12th May 2018

There was a 44% success rate of top rated dogs in the second round.

First Round heats held on Thursday 3rd, Friday 4th and Saturday 5th May 2018

There was a 56% success rate of top rated dogs in the first round.

Email me at johnwslusar@gmail.com if you have pictures of the event or a racecard.

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