The Lord's Dogs Column: Easy as 1-2-3 for Charlie's angels

General / Editor / 25 September 2009 / Leave a Comment

"Lister first, second and third, the rest nowhere. That summed up the final, but it is Jordansoilutions who should continue to be watched... "

Fresh from an exciting night at Yarmouth, the Lord reports all the latest news from the world of greyhounds racing...

It really was as easy as 1-2-3 as Charlie Lister waltzed off again with the Betfair Yarmouth Derby - his 10th victory in the event.

The fact that it was Fear Zafonic who struck gold surprised no-one as he followed his early-season form, but he was a huge drifter come final night with kennelmates Farloe Reason and Jordansoilutions impressing more at Yarmouth. But courtesy of a fast start, Fear was super-Zafonic!

Lister first, second and third, the rest nowhere. That summed up the final, but it is Jordansoilutions who should continue to be watched, as well as a back-to-form Fear Zafonic. The way the younger dog held off Farloe Reason down the back for second was impressive.

Kicking off proceedings for TV viewers, keep an eye out of bitches-race second Foyle Storm. Seamus Cahill's young bitch was having only her fifth race in the UK but showed good pace into the turn, as did fellow lightly-raced Droumeragh Kai, and both will be winning races before long. Plan, the winner, did it well but has never been the most reliable.

Me Buddy rightly earned the plaudits on a good night for Matt Dartnall, but in division two of the sprint it is Pete Witchell's Ambush Point who caught the eye after going hammer and tongs with Me Buddy to the turn. His day will come soon over two bends, for sure.

Another one who showed pace to the bend, this time in the puppy race, was Newtown Diamond. He ultimately had to give best to Eye Onthe Storm and Guinness Time, two high-class youngsters, and that was no disgrace but keep tabs with Julie Green's dog.

Masterful is difficult to catch right and did it well to beat hot-pot Raving Black, while at his level Freaky Cole is worth watching having won his event in style. Remember he went to the bend with Farloe Reason in his semi-final of the Betfair Derby, and took his chance well in the British-bred with a searing turn of pace to the turn.

Ballymac Pines and Jimmy Lollie had the top division of the sprint between them, and both are really out of the top drawer. Ballymac Pines is a fantastic trapper, while Jimmy Lollie, although beaten, is the more likely winner of the two should they meet again.

Carden Bert deserved his consolation win after a series of consistent efforts, with Spruce Storm the eye-catcher in behind. A step up in distance could just see him return to long-overdue winning ways.

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Nottingham continues its busy open-race schedule with heats of the Produce Stakes on Monday, and on the same night Bourne Masons goes for gold in the maiden final.

Dave Pruhs's dog caught the eye from off the pace in the heats and win or lose in the decider he is worth staying with. As is Mustang Knight, who finished third in his eliminator after coming in a reserve and thus missed out on the final. He stayed on with great purpose and looks a nice sort potentially.

The last one for the list this week is Delwood Freddie. The one-time hurdler really caught the eye in the sprint won by Mario Gomez and should find an opportunity soon. He made some others in the race look pedestrian by comparison with the pace he showed in defeat.

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It was great to see Target Brett kick off his Laurels campaign with a win. He's not looked back since The Lord tipped you all off at Belle Vue a month or so ago!

Back next week.