Sky Previews / Darrell Williams / 05 May 2009 / Leave a comment

With the early heats of the Derby in full flow at Wimbledon, attention turns to Peterborough where the youngsters take their turn...

Thoughts on the Derby, which continues with another Friday-Saturday night double header, are put to one side temporarily as Sky Sports heads to Peterborough for an intriguing, if tricky, Puppy Derby final.

Solving puppy races often has its problems, with runners likely to show marked improvement at any time, but this one appears especially complicated given that none of the finalists has seen the track more than nine times.

The loss of ante-post favourite Westmead Logan in the semi-finals, as well as Trafalgar Cup winner Freedom Emma, cost the competition it's more obvious candidates, and the final, due off at 9.45, has endless possibilities.

In knocking out 'Logan' and the useful Eden Rocket, Mountjoy Jasper should be a major player, and given that eight length victory - the fastest in the round - finally broke his duck at the ninth time of asking, it may be things have finally clicked into place.

But a tough trap four draw does him few favours, and it's hard to see him leading Droopys Alvaro. Sharon Saberton's local runner would be a hugely popular winner with the 'posh' faithful, having shot from A5 on her debut less than a month ago courtesy of three wins in four. That includes a narrow semi-final defeat of Westmead Carl - littermate of former jolly Westmead Logan but still a maiden - and if he could be guaranteed the early lead, he's bound to go close.

However, with trap five Freedom Obama also likely to cut left, it's Westmead Grant that is given the nod. Nick Savva's charge, out of the latest litter by wonder dam Mega Delight, looks potentially well treated as the lone wide seed, and having picked off 'Alvaro' in the heats is just fancied to do so again.

While the feature race is open, there are solid wagers to be had elsewhere, none more so than 'supervet' Cobra Striking (8.15). Ernie Gaskin's former Peterborough Puppy Derby finalist (2006!) will be short, but has retained his high class form well - indeed he was fourth in last year's Yarmouth Derby - and should win comfortably, with Annas Star likely to gift him plenty of racing room.

Arguably the best bet of the card is Bandit Blue (8.50) - beaten favourite in last year's Peterborough Derby final - and another likely to enjoy plenty of room to steer around railer Unique Double, who won that local Derby final, but has not raced since August. David Pruhs' charge was knocked over in the Golden Sprint semi-finals but has won well back at Romford since and a recent trial also confirms his well being.

The stayers' race at 9.10 is the most competitive and intriguing contest of the night, but I'm taking a chance that Ard Beauty can secure an early run. Just touched off by Barnfield Brooke in the Peterborough Marathon final last month, she has since set new figures for the 692m trip at Henlow. Just nine spots off this 605m track record in an earlier trial, she is sure to go close with a clear run, and while that may be easier said than done, the likely odds make it worth a punt. Barnfield Brooke is fancied to enjoy her own piece of the action, by claiming the marathon at 9.25.