Events / Darrell Williams / 21 December 2007 / Leave a comment

Darrell Williams takes a look at the early contenders for Derby glory...

Back at the very start of November I suggested Blonde Jeannie might be worth an interest in the Oaks, reaffirming my interest a fortnight later. Finding the winner six weeks ahead of the event is pleasing, but what about trying to find the Derby winner six months ahead of the race!

If you've read my columns over the past few weeks you'll already know that I put up Rio Quando (on the same date I tipped Blonde Jeannie!) as one for an early tickle. Danny Riordan's charge clocked a rapid 27.46 over Wimbledon's 460m on Leger final night, before going on to score well at Walthamstow. While he has been beaten twice since, he remains a dog to keep an eye on, especially given his handler's useful reputation. However, it's the dog that beat Rio Quando at Wimbledon a fortnight ago that has catapulted up the ante-post betting.

Step forward Ballymac Under, trained by Matthew Dartnall, son of highly regarded Terry, who steered Cleenas Lady to the 2005 final and remains one of the game's shrewdest operators. The fact he is also owned by legendary Patsy Byrne, himself a former Wimbledon trainer, makes the eyes light up even more. I was at Wimbledon when he turned over a first class field, including Rio Quando, also in 27.46 the other week and immediately added him to my ante-post portfolio. I then backed him again just before his equally emphatic win on the Oaks undercard where he again clocked a very fast time (27.45) to make it five wins in as many starts. Those who watched Dartnall Senior's interview on Sky Sports that night will appreciate how much they think of him and this dog will be meticously prepared for the big race.

The two dogs I've mentioned obviously have a long way to go to reach Barnfield On Air's standing. The Greyhound of the Year favourite has had a quite exceptional year with a catalogue of big race wins including the Sussex Cup and Blue Square 480 plus a host of track record-breaking performances. He did, of course, also contest the 2007 Derby, as those of us with big price ante-post vouchers will recall, but was an early elimination. Connections have made it clear from some way back that the three Derbies, Scottish and Irish included, will be his principal targets next season. Unfortunately his odds reflect his status, and given that his Wimbledon record is far less proven than it is elsewhere I can see little point in backing him at this stage, although naturally he's one to remain on top of in the long term.

People often talk about Charlie Lister as the Derby king and while he can boast four wins in the race, the maestro has only had one finalist in the last four years. That's not to say he can't bounce back and in Farloe Reason, already talked of as a lively Derby prospect, he has obvious chances. The Northern Puppy Derby winner has been beaten only twice in nine starts, and will be one to watch closely in the likelihood he contests the Racing Post Juvenile at Wimbledon in February.

Unlike Lister, Nick Savva has had an incredible recent run with an unprecedented three consecutive victories, not to mention two other finalists in the same period. He recently reported that 2007 hero Westmead Lord, unraced since that July victory, is on the way back after a number of setbacks and has the great race as his target. While he can hardly be termed as the forgotten dog, his price remains fair given his lack of race track activity, and with two dual winners in this decade already it's not impossible for him to win again. While he could hardly be backed with any confidence at the moment, its worth remembering Westmead Hawk was an equally big price in the winter before his second triumph and for those looking for a bit of insurance he's not impossible to consider.

Those looking for trainers to follow in the race must also include Seamus Graham who, were it not for the 'Westmeads', would have broken his Derby duck by now. Graham has sent out the runner-up in the last two years plus a brace of finalists in 2005. It's interesting to note that he got Mineola Farloe to two finals in 2005/6 and given Loyal Honcho's runners-up spot last year; he would have to be considered again. Like Westmead Lord, Loyal Honcho had been off injured, but recently returned with an impressive win at Shelbourne Park.

So, who will win the Derby in 2008? Well, it's impossible, and probably rather foolish to commit yourself to one dog at this time, but my shortlist is headed by Ballymac Under over Rio Quando and Loyal Honcho with a close watch being kept on Westmead Lord.

Tags: Ballymac Under, Barnfield On Air, Derby Betting, Farloe Reason, Westmead Lord