General / Editor / 11 September 2009 / Leave a comment

The Batfair East Anglian Derby promises to be one of the best competitions of the year, if Wednesday's heats at Yarmouth were any guide - and The Lord was there to witness all the action.

"Fear Zafonic will win the Betfair Derby should he get trap one in the semis and final - it's Wimbledon all over again. But will he be lucky in the draw?"

On the evidence of the first round these are the dogs to look out for in the 2009 Betfair East Anglian Derby.

Noelles Rapido. Ran very wide, but showed great pace. If not so extravagant on the bends second time up, open to some improvement.

Glenroe Ginger. One of the four-bend stars of the year, he put young pretender Droopys Bogart in his place in the heats. No reason why the form should be reversed in the second round.

Jogadusc Ace. But for a tough second round between two Lister hotpots, the redoubtable Wallis dog would have to attract ante-post interest. Great first run back after a lay-off. If he can qualify from the second round . . .

Chicago Prince. Looks a well-oiled machine and powered clear of his rivals. Perhaps lacks the snap from the boxes of others but one to keep tabs with from here and beyond.

Eye Eye Pickle. Got no sort of run in his heat and has scope.

Eye Onthe Brave. Underlined what a strong hand Mark Wallis has in the event (to match Charlie Lister!) with a brilliant effort in the heats. Looked likely to be knocked out at one stage but came through well. Ante-post interest?

But there's no question that Fear Zafonic will win the Betfair Derby should he get trap one in the semis and final - it's Wimbledon all over again. But will he be lucky in the draw?

Kennelmate Farloe Reason is certainly fast enough, but he too looks desperate these days for the rails (remember the Select Stakes?).

All in all, a cracking competition

* * *

Elsewhere, another Lister flyer Farloe Lee continues to show his class, and his performance at Nottingham on Monday exuded that.

Up against the likes of Hurleys Hero, Farloe Titan and Lissycasey Punch, he put three very decent animals well and truly in their place. Keep on the right side of him.

On the same card, a red-hot sprint was won by Fatboyz Ace in good style and the way he gave Bandit Blue a start and a beating was great. But the other one to stay with from this race is Moatview Storm, who showed great pace without the clearest of runs.

Lemon Lisbon and Avondale Holly both made extraordinary recoveries from trouble from bad positions in their Oaks heats at Nottingham. Neither qualified, but are clearly in good heart.

Blonde Lucy was the most impressive heat winner of her qualifier, while Carbarns Tom, Greedy Bridie and Alien King all did their reputations no harm in what was a solid supporting six-bend event.

Sheffield is building up to its Silver Collar for punters and BAGS punters enjoyed a good open-race card on Tuesday.

The ones to watch?

Zaheer, if he gets a rails pitch, would make them all go; Honey Trampas, a brother of speedster Ten Large Down, ran well after being forced wide early and Eye Onthe Flash will beat Loyal Rebel next time they clash

A footnote to Sheffield is that Edem Dom looks a stayer in the making, while Farloe Solar caught the eye for his speed behind Iconic Blue. He needs less than 500m, mind.

Tags: Betfair Derby, East Anglian Derby, Fear Zafonic, Greyhounds racing, Greyhounds Tips, The Lord