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Birmingham Cup Aftermath: Sweet and sour for team Dartnall

Jonathan Hobbs of the Racing Post looks back over Thursday night's Perry Barr action...

It was a bittersweet night for Matt and Terry Dartnall after Ballymac Under's glorious triumph in the Birmingham Cup at Perry Barr on Thursday.

All roads lead to Wimbledon for the youngster, with the Derby and first the Juvenile Championship being the two major targets for the unbeaten hound. But kennelmate Cleenas Lady looked unsound as she trailed in last, and there has to be a doubt she will ever race again.

If, as expected, she heads for the breeding paddocks, the Derby and Oaks finalist and two-time Select Stakes champion will likely prove an overwhelming success for her owners.

As for the final, it was an awesome performance by Ballymac Under. He faced early-paced rivals inside and out but broke level and sped to the bend. He coursed the hare down the far side and ran wide up the home-straight and, but for that, would have smashed the track record. As it was he equalled the trip best of Zigzag Dutchman and Raging Jack.

The Dartnalls and owner Patsy Byrne have in their case a real challenger to Barnfield On Air and the greyhound game thrives on competition. Look how the Barnfield On Air versus Spiridon Louis galvanised the sport, polarised opinion and was, quite simply, great fun! Well done to Lorraine Sams and the team, of course.

Looking at the rest of the Perry Barr card with a view to the future, Apache Dawn is a must for the short-list. Lenson Express was great in winning the opener, and might have stolen more of a match had he been pitched inside, he loves the rails. But the runner-up was really impressive in defeat, knuckling down to finish second in a fast time.
I still have a lot of time for Boherbradda Mac.

Perhaps his lack of a sprinter's start will continue to count against him against the best two-benders, but he does have great pace and ran well in third behind Theatreofdreams and Newtown Koala. The winner could be a Peterborough Derby contender given his connections - he's trained by Peterborough's leading trainer, David Pruhs.

The puppy race was won on merit by Barnfield Mike and Graham Hutt will continue to have great fun with this terrific early-paced performer; Droopys Nelson would be my vote now to win the Golden Jacket after he blew away his rivals over six bends, although keep an eye out for Her Eyesare Blue, who stayed on resolutely.

How do you explain Shelbourne Holly's performance in the marathon? It's difficult, because she looked all over the winner down the back. Did she stay on the quicker going (a crazy thought given what happened at Hall Green nine days previously)? Or did she throw it in?

Both are possible, and there were one or two less than impressive Irish runs on her card.
Nevertheless, winner Swift Demand, while something of an enigma, is top-class on her day, while runner-up Dukeries Hattie still has scope to be among the country's best eight-benders. A puzzling race, unlike Swift Ninja's rout of his rivals in the 710m race. I bet his trainer Michael Harris wishes the St Leger was at Perry Barr!

The four-bend invitation supporting the final lived up to its billing, although you have to feel for connections of useful Pea Ball. When we he ever get a clear run? But up front Rev Counter combined great trapping ability with searing early speed and guts in front. Can't wait to see him and Boherna On Air at Wimbledon with their early dash.