The Lord's Derby Thoughts: Which dogs should we be watching as the big one comes down to the final 12?

Derby Betting / Editor / 20 May 2009 / Leave a Comment

The Lord assesses the impressive performers from Tuesday night's Wimbledon action.

Down to the last 12 in the Derby - but is the picture any clearer with some 130 dogs less to weigh up?

No question that Tuesday's four quarter-finals produced some efforts out of the top-drawer, but it's now about nailing the winners in the semi-finals and beyond.

The eight TV races on Tuesday were spiced by supporting races and it leads us in nicely to the supporting competitions on semi-final and final night.

Of course, they include the Dorando Marathon, and before we talk about the Derby a word on the marathon which had them talking long into the night at Wimbledon on Tuesday. How highly do you rate Flying Winner's run?

Ignore for one minute her brilliant record and reputation, it was as good a warm-up for the Dorando as could be. No consolation for her backers, but it will be a different story come Derby final night when it matters more.

So to the Derby...

Jogadusc Ace ran a stormer from trap three, although trap one in the semis might not be so conducive to a fast start. But Wise Thought did take his time to get to the leader and that is just a slight negative.

Of course, the form of all 24 runners, and now 12, is pretty exposed now and it's difficult to 'find one' as such. But the tenacity shown by Fear Zafonic ([5.5] to win the Derby) in just qualifying from an horrendous draw augurs well for the final if he qualifies - and then gets trap one!

Ballymac Ruso ([5.3]) was brilliant, no question. He has been trained with the final in mind, although a fast start was always required in such a red-hot heat. Can he repeat that trick? He might need to.

Farloe Reason ([6.6]), though, ran a great race. To close Ruso down like he did shows he is in the form of his life. A possible winner, for sure.

Kinda Ready ([26.0]) looked to have every chance in his heat and it's the same with Cabra Boss, who is also running great but may always find one or two too quick to halfway. Bubbly Maestro ([15.0]) remains a fly in the ointment after growing a leg in his quarter-final. Can he do it again?

Windy Millar was desperate, no question. A major four-bend competition is his for the taking now he's more consistent early, but Glenard Sunrise ([13.0]), who first earned the Lord's nod of approval (!) at Hove a good few weeks ago, is proving a terrific young dog. Again, like Ballymac Ruso he needs to do it right again from the lids.

The supporting race produced a number of future winners.

Keep tabs with Special Liberty after her lay-off. She ran great in the bitches' race after a pedestrian start.

Flying Winner aside, any lead for Ballylea Honcho that can be easily come by should be a winning one over eight bends; Blonde Dino took off in behind Cobra Striking in the veterans' race and might be a live outsider in the Derby Plate each-way, while although they were well beaten ultimately, the pace shown by both White Blaze and Zodiac Raven was eyecatching over six bends. They did each other no favours mind.