Open Race Round-Up: Five hounds who have impressed in recent weeks

General / Editor / 24 April 2009 / Leave a Comment

The Lord wraps up the pooches to punt on in the big forthcoming races.

If you followed The Lord, a big-priced winner of the Blue Riband at Hall Green was yours for the taking as Blonde Fern raced to one of the most comfortable victories of a Category One event this year.

It was a special night on Sky for the team of owner Mark Currell and his new trainer Tony Dean, and we predicted as such last week. And a very much back-in-form Blonde Fern is worth sticking with as she heads to the Derby next.

To all intents and purposes, she destroyed a good class field and it was no surprise to learn afterwards that the track record had taken a real shaking, a mark ironically held by her kennelmate Toosey Blue, who kept the record by just one spot.

Silverduff Jet also received high praise here last week and duly rewarded backers with a facile win on the undercard, but the first names into the book for future winners from Tuesday must go Centurion Enry and Droopys Jervis.

They served up a treat in the opening puppy race and both look well above-average. The winner (Centurion Enry) moved wide from four and hampered his rival outside. But neither gave an inch and, while Paul Young's dog knuckled down to score well, a slicker exit will see Droopys Jervis win a hatful.

Crowding outside meant the sprint was a difficult race to weigh up, while Platinumlancelot underlined his claims not just for the upcoming Champion Hurdle but also the mantle of country's leading hurdler in the jumps' contest. He was brilliant and brave, cutting across kennelmate Ranch Pacific at the turn.

Sniper Mo Chara will win the right six-bend event, but continues to be a shade unlucky, leading and getting caught, while unexposed Blasket Eagle gets the 'bold letters' treatment for a promising effort behind Winetavern Tango over 480m.

Pete Wellon's dog showed good pace for much of the way in what was only his third start in Britain.

Hillcross Legend seems to have got the bit between his teeth and, while very experienced and exposed now, might still step up to the mark in tougher tests after coming through his six-bend race in style.

We've already mentioned Silverduff Jet, but there was a nice performance from Commander Chief in the same race.

Now clearly he is not the force he was, indeed a Derby entry was declined despite him running brilliantly in the Classic last year, but Paul Philpott will plot his course well for sure and the odd success is definitely on the cards.

In terms of the Derby trial stakes, there is no question that better is to come from Charlie Lister's big guns Fear Zafonic and Bandicoot Tipoki.

The former was desperate for the rails, while the youngster will improve with each and every run in the Classic.

But it was a dog who finished second to Fear Zafonic, Droopys Director, that caught the eye.

It will be difficult to rack up a sequence during the Derby, but Chris Duggan's dog has got pace and is worth keeping an eye on.

Dogs to follow:
Centurion Enry
Droopys Jervis
Commander Chief
Droopys Director