The Lord's Dogs Column: Ten Large Down is a Derby contender

General / Editor / 16 October 2009 / Leave a Comment

"A line through runner-up Westmead Carl compares Ten Large Down favourably to the likes of Lenson Bolt and he could be an early addition to the 2010 Derby portfolio."

A good week for greyhound racing saw a host of top-quality races, from Nottingham's Produce Stakes final to Sunderland's Northern Puppy Derby decider, the Northern Flat at Belle Vue and the St Leger heats at Wimbledon. As you'd expect, the Lord was there for the lot of them...

Westmead Bolt, who finished close up in the Produce final, is a sure-fire winner in waiting.

To close on the leaders as he did at Sunderland this week was outstanding and the form of the race is sure to work out well - get on Romeo Active at Nottingham on Monday!

In time, Westmead Bolt might be put over a distance and that could be very interesting indeed.

The other dog to catch the eye was the 500m final winner Frisby Forfun. Formerly known as Droopys Gibson, he's not had a lot of racing but the way he led a good field (Romeo Maldini, Chicago Prince, Farloe Lee) and kept them all at bay suggests that more success can come his way.

Incidentally, it was great to see Runemragged and Bourne Masons win on the same card, both tipped up by The Lord in previous 'issues'.

To Belle Vue next and the Northern Flat heats, where the star performance came from Ping The Lids. A Laurels finalist, he well and truly upheld the form of that race, which does look solid, even though winner Sunoak Crystal failed to follow up at Coventry at the weekend.

Ping The Lids was the quickest winner, but the form is exposed and, perhaps, Step On Brett has more scope. Elaine Parker's dog has only had seven races and brushed aside an early bump to speed to the bend in front on his way to winning in heat. He might well be one to keep an eye on, even starting with his semi-final clash with Ping The Lids next week.

As for Sunderland, Ten Large Down proved without doubt he is a Derby contender already for next year. It was an exhibition performance from Diane Henry's dog, with a show of pace to the bend coupled with a strong-running style as he led his rivals a merry dance.
A line through runner-up Westmead Carl compares him favourably to the likes of Lenson Bolt and he could be an early addition to the 2010 Derby portfolio.

On the undercard, Drumcrow Obama showed terrific pace to the bend in the opening puppy race and would be a nice acquisition for anyone. Rumour is he's up for sale.