Puppy Derby/Grand Prix: Spur over priced at Monmore

Events / Darrell Williams / 18 March 2010 / Leave a Comment

"The dog I’ll be backing is Directors Spur. Mark Wallis’ runner has always been highly thought of by his handler, and his semi-final defeat of Millies Hawk certainly gave the impression he is starting to live up to those expectations. Remember Wallis sent out Kinda Ready to finish second in this final twelve months ago and at [8.0] Directors Spur looks over-priced"

It's not all about Cheltenham today, with Carly Philpott double-handed in a fascinating Monmore Puppy Derby final, where Mark Wallis' Directors Spur maybe out to spoil the party, while it's semis night in the Grand Prix at Henlow. Darrell Williams takes a look at both events.

No one can say there weren't enough clues to the Midland Puppy Derby. With umpteen trial stakes going back to January, there's been plenty of time to siphon through all the form, but solving tonight's final (2115 Monmore) is still far from straight-forward.

Having put up 'team Philpott' last week in suggesting bets on both Millies Hawk and Ballymac William ante post, we're certainly in a good position, especially with the latter who is now trading as a warm favourite.

You certainly can't fault his current form or consistency, and his big semi-final run should put him spot on. But for those playing the race as a one-off I'm not certain he warrants being quite so far ahead in the market, even though he's a dog who certainly knows how to get himself out of trouble and still clock a fast time in the bargain.

My concern for kennelmate Millies Hawk remains the trap six draw, which has shown little sign of being a positive for sometime now, and as the latest two BAGS results show, still remains very difficult to win from. Even if gets a flyer, which is highly feasible, you still get the feeling he will be treading water off the last turn.

Bower Eagle has early pace claims, and is certainly good enough, but from a trading position the dog I'll be backing is Directors Spur. Mark Wallis' runner has always been highly thought of by his handler, and his semi-final defeat of Millies Hawk certainly gave the impression he is starting to live up to those expectations.

Remember Wallis sent out Kinda Ready to finish second in this final twelve months ago and at [8.0] Directors Spur looks over-priced.

Henlow's Grand Prix also continues tonight, although sadly without Dazzle Special, who was withdrawn in season this morning. She'll be back for the Leger, and may get her moment of glory there.

It does however leave the two semi-finals even more lopsided, with Razzmatazz in particular looking nailed on to qualify from the second heat at 2200. Nathan McDonald's Welsh raider surely ran a personal best when turning over Hello Hippy last weekend, and the Prestige finalist looks a solid back to lay prospect ahead of next week's final.

The other semi (2145) looks far more difficult, with Hello Hippy, my weekend ante post pick, probably in need of an absolute flyer from trap four. I'm kicking myself that I didn't put up Bridge Diamond as a trade before the second round, but if the evidence wasn't there beforehand it certainly is now. Nevertheless, better to get to the party late than not at all, and I fancy him to make it four from four over CD tonight at the expense of Golden Jacket winner Group Skater.