Flight sets punters a dilemma

General / Editor / 01 July 2007 / Leave a Comment

Dilemmas Flight shakes up the Derby market with a sensational semi-final performance.

Nick Savva's Oaks heroine has often been underestimated against the dogs but she proved her liking for Plough Lane in no uncertain terms when blasting ante-post favourite, Loyal Honcho, in the second of two semi-finals on Saturday evening.

The performance, which followed a "false start" due to a trap malfunction, served to blow apart any fear that next week's final will be a one-dog contest.

Her time of 28.74 was a fair one given the wet weather that had hit Plough Lane, but it was the manner of success that impressed many observers as it bore all the hallmarks of Westmead Hawk.

Caulry Fast Trap, who has been matched at 550 to win the Derby, ran a blinder to finish in the third qualification slot for Liz McNair.

In the first of the semi-finals, Paul Hennessy's Ullid Conor was able to hold off a persistent challenge from fellow Irish raider, Forest Scholes, with the clock stopping at 28.90.

Westmead Lord, who had been heavily supported in the ante-post market over the last 48 hours, was sent off as favourite for the race, but those odds-on backers seen knew their fate as he missed the break and had to rely on instinct in order to secure a qualification berth.

Connections will have to wait until Monday lunchtime for the draw to take place but this has not stopped punters getting involved in the Betfair market.

Loyal Honcho has held on to outright favouritism at 3.55, although Dilemmas Flight is now challenging for that slot. Available to back at 8.2 before her semi-final scalp, the layers are now asking for trades at 3.75.

Westmead Lord has drifted markedly after Saturday's race and has been pushed out to 4.9 as a consequence.

The final and its supporting card will be shown live on Sky Sports Xtra.