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Derby Betting: Looking for early contenders for the big one

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Jonathan Hobbs is stil recovering from the excitement of the Regency Final from Hove on Thursday but now has bigger fish to fry as the Derby gets under way

Can it really get any better? Well, yes it can.

From what was a quite outstanding Regency final at Hove on Tuesday - a three-way photo and a power-packed finish with TV Trophy written all over Flying Winner and Swift Jade - to a sensational start to the Derby at Wimbledon on Friday.

With last year's Derby first and second, Westmead Lord and Loyal Honcho, in action, plus a host of those at the top-end of the betting lists, it was must-see material and with huge Irish interest this year, helps it rank as one of the best English Derbys ever.

But back to Hove and our usual look at pointers for the future, which continue to enjoy a fair amount of success. Ibetx Dot Com and Vatican Jinky are two recent thumbs-up selections to oblige, both striking gold at the Sussex track.

We start off, however, with the bitches stake. It was a fine effort from BALLYMAC RITA and she might well have regained confidence after one or two defeats of late. Remember, she won the Peterborough Puppy Cesarewitch last year, an event which has the likes of Frisby Figo, Roxholme Girl and Spiridon Louis as previous winners.

Ibetx Dot Com's trapping won him the sprint and any two-bend events he contests, the shorter run to the turn the better. That is the key to his chances as he looks, quite simply, the best trapper in the business right now.

ANALYSE might be the one to take out of the hurdles contest. Be All was tremendous in front and remains at the top of his form right now, as does the Dave Mullins' kennel after that terrific success for Blindin Bell in the Golden Sprint. He is a top-notch performer.

But give Analyse more of a test, and Lorraine Sams's recent Irish intake might come into his own.

The marathon was a case of 'what if' for Slaneyside Demon's huge army of supporters down at Hove. He just got going too late, but take nothing away from Vatican Iona and her appearance in the TV Trophy along with the likes of Flying Winner, Swift Jade and Spiridon Louis is eagely awaited.

TOOSEY DODGER looks a nice stayer of John Mullins, and his team is flying just now. Swift Maybole and the very, very impressive BLONDE FERN were winners on the undercard and will continue to pay their way.

But for me the two dogs who just must be followed intently over the coming up are BARNFIELD SLIPPY and DIRECTORS CHOICE.

The former caught the leader Directors Chair impressively over 515m. No question the latter needed the run and tired, but the pair were so far clear of the rest that it was a highly-rated run from both.

It will be interesting to see how Barnfield Slippy runs in the Derby, he could just go to the final, while Directors Chair, a semi-finalist last year, misses the event, instead favouring four and some six-bend events for sure. An ideal type for the Champion Stakes and St Leger again.