Fermoy Henry: a reliable sort from the start
Scotty, Henry can
set Gymcrack pace
SIDAZ SCOTTY had a far shorter Monmore Puppy Derby campaign than anticipated but Dean Childs's exciting prospect can banish memories of that first round elimination with an emphatic success in heat four of the Betfred Gymcrack over 462m at Kinsley this afternoon (4.09, live on SIS).
Anything like a repeat of the 5.11sec sectional he produced in a trial here last week will soon have his rivals on the back foot and, while tougher assignments surely await as this event progresses, he can put down a notable marker in the ground all the same.
Fermoy Henry might be more of a Kinsley type than Droopys Odell and David Pruhs's charge makes plenty of appeal when the duo clash in heat two at 3.04 as a result.
Both were semi-finalists in the Monmore Puppy Derby but Fermoy Henry is perhaps the more reliable at the start and he can quickly put the pace to the race to dominate from the front.
There is also Monmore form to ponder in heat six at 5.17 where Chris Allsopp's Strategic Review, runner-up to kennelmate Cluxtons Free in the final, can confirm first round supremacy from that event over Fridays Shane.
There is a distinct Romford feel to the opening heat at 2.29 with four runners, two apiece for David Mullins and Paul Young, representing the track. However, the only way may not be Essex on this occasion as Steve Race's Ballymac Chosen appeals on the draw.
He was unable to build on an excellent trial at the track when beaten in a trial stakes last week, but a reasonable break can see him hold his pitch to the bend and then assert early in the back-straight in a contest where Trainers' Championship puppy winner Underground Paul shapes as the main danger ahead of Monmore finalist Bonamassa Rocks.
Jimmy Fenwick's Killacolla Ka Ka backed up a Newcastle double, including a shock 20-1 open victory over Hadrians Wall, with a smart pre-competition trial here and he can come out on top in heat three at 3.37.
Seamus Cahill's Droopys Quincy has scope for untold improvement on his eye-catching Hove debut success and it will be no surprise to see him significantly clip his trial time here when he goes in heat five at 4.41.
Coventry's evening meeting launches Sunday programming on Racing Post Greyhound TV with the feature being three heats of the Coventry Champion Hurdle over 480m.
The obstacles at the Brandon circuit do take a bit of jumping which Baran Bally Hi has done with aplomb on three visits here so the experience of Derek Knight's dog entitles him to the vote over ‘novices' Droopys Lorenzo, Green Amigo and Daddys Knowsbest in the opener at 7.45.
Heat two at 8.00 is modest to say the least and should see Rick Holloway's Brocatsea Celt come out on top, but the same trainer's Westmead Meteor may have a struggle to confirm Springbok final supremacy over Katie O'Flaherty's Rockview Royal in the third at 8.15.
Racing starts with a 672m match contest at 6.22 in which Mark Wallis's Sidaz Dippy can once again finish in front of Crinkill Jewel, while Ted Soppitt's journey down from the north-east can be rewarded with victory for Calzaghe Jack in the 485m puppy open at 7.00 although his unlucky Sunderland loser Calzaghe Lilly may have to settle for minor honours once again as Jim Watts's Droopys Diop can get first run in a 672m maiden at 7.15.
Ballymac Jones just keeps winning and Pat Rosney's charge can do so once again in the 7.15 over 263m, while other fancies are John Mullins's Ballymac Swift in the 8.30 over 894m and Carol Weatherall's exciting track champion Holdem Spy in a tremendous 485m finale at 9.15.
The return to action after injury of 2012 Derby third Coolavanny Bert is the stand-out feature of Sittingbourne's evening Bags card.
John Gardner's charge lines up in the 9.02 over 480m and has certainly shaped as if retaining plenty of ability in trials but this run will surely be badly needed so Tony Collett's Lenson Champ has to be the selection on this occasion.
Gymcrack heats
Betfred - heat one (2.29):
T1 Ballymac Chosen 7-2, T2 Aines Marx 5-1, T3 Young Golden 11-2, T4 Bonamassa Rocks 9-4, T5 Underground Paul 9-4, T6 Ballymac Cora 20-1.
Heat two (3.04):
T1 Droopys Odell 11-8, T2 Bit View Bugatti 12-1, T3 Holycross Willie 12-1, T4 Pouring Cream 12-1, T5 Fermoy Henry 7-4, T6 Extreme Lad 4-1.
Heat three (3.37):
T1 Holdem Rumble 5-2, T2 Killacolla Ka Ka 5-2, T3 Jaytee Zeus 7-2, T4 Ursulas Razl 10-1, T5 Killacolla Flyer 10-1, T6 Borna Bob 7-2.]
Heat four (4.09):
T1 Seathwaite Ivori 8-1, T2 Whiteshadeofpale 9-2, T3 Farloe Trojan 10-1, T4 Sidaz Scotty 8-11, T5 Hannah Pearl 10-1, T6 Guinness Sky 6-1.
Heat five (4.41):
T1 Blonde Tango 5-1, T2 Guinness Spark 7-4, T3 Droopys Quincy 3-1, T4 Mays Minstrel 5-1, T5 Borna Hiker 8-1, T6 Sids Ninja 6-1.
Heat six (5.17): T1 Strategic Review 11-8, T2 Bodell Hurricane 8-1, T3 Afan Rico 8-1, T4 Fridays Shane 7-4, T5 Feora Boss 10-1, T6 Sion Caviar 8-1.
