GREYHOUND PREVIEW: Towcester hold more Derby Trial Stakes this Sunday live on RPGTV where I will be the remote guest. We pick the best bets from the meeting. PLUS: Romford have a good quality card on Friday also live on RPGTV and I pick the best bets from the card.
Rex Sets New Figures for Derby Trip at Towcester
Swords Rex was simply sensational when winning a Derby trial stakes at Towcester at the weekend and in the process set a new track record for the Derby trip. Having only his second look at the track, Rex improved dramatically on his debut effort when breaking fast from trap four, running the opening bends fluently and staying on strongly for a mighty impressive victory in 28:76. Prior to the outing he was available at 20/1 for Derby glory but is now a best priced 10/1 joint favourite.
Joining him on the 10/1 mark is Fromposttopillar. By the same sire as Swords Rex (Droopys Sydney) Fromposttopillar went even faster than Rex later in the day when stopping the clock in 28:61, over two lengths quicker than Rex – albeit in a solo trial. The duo are deservedly at the top of the market followed closely Clona Duke. Last year’s RPGTV Juvenile Derby winner at Shelbourne has since gone on to break the track record at Limerick and win the recent Select Stakes at Waterford prior to his first look at the Derby venue. Duke is available at 16s.
Ballymac Marino is another to note, yet to have a trial at Towcester, his trainer Liam Dowling has confirmed this will be his target and he posted a flying trial around Tralee recently. There will be plenty more market movers and shakers in the coming weeks but now is the time to sit up and take note with a host of Derby trial stakes due to be run at Towcester this Sunday afternoon.
Towcester Sunday
Havana Bale Out and Romeo Hanzo meet in the first race to open a cracking card at Towcester. Bale Out was an impressive winner when making all last time out and will be bang there with a repeat. Romeo Hanzo has always been held in high regard by the Holland camp and he looks to have an ideal draw in red. He moved well in a recent trial around here and can be expected to improve on that effort. He just gets the nod in the opener in a red-hot heat containing some in-form rivals.
Jacktavern Bella will be a warm order to make it two from two around here in the second race on the card. She flew from traps to make all last time but is not always that fluent from traps, she stays any four-bend trip powerfully but must not give the leaders too much rope. Innfield Billy caught the eye on more than one occasion around Shelbourne Park but needs to improve on his recent trial efforts. Eze may be the value option in trap two. Innfield Billy and Jacktavern Bella are not noted for early pace and Eze has a good chance to slip the field at a big price.
Cryptopunk should go well in the third race of the afternoon. A dog with some fine form on his card, he won the 2022 Irish Derby Consolation Final as well as the 2022 Irish Laurels Consolation Final. He has held his form well all season and made the final of the recent Select Stakes at Waterford as well as posting a flying 28:17 around Shelbourne Park in March. The lack of a run around here is a worry, but he seems a versatile type and can go well here on his first look.
At 15:11 the ultra-consistent Darbys Delight will take his place in his first four bend contest since December 2022. Darbys is obviously much better over further but if you are looking for an outsider to go a few rounds in this year’s Derby you could do worse than invest a few quid each way on this lad. It’s all about qualifying through the early rounds and Darbys Delight has been placed on his last fifteen starts. His never say die attitude will surely see him progress through a few rounds. Don’t expect to see any fireworks early but few will finish faster in this year’s Derby.
Romford Friday
Paul Burr can get punters off to a winning start on Friday at Romford courtesy of his charge Zari Rosie in the 19:18. Rosie recently returned to action following a lay-off and won well around here last time out. That was only her third race of 2023, and a repeat effort should suffice, but improvement can be expected. She has gone quicker in the past and will look to make all from trap two.
Merlins Mate is another who will try and make all in the 19:36 for John Mullins. Run down close home on his two previous starts Merlins Mate is drawn to lead again and he should hold a sizeable lead at halfway. Any trouble in behind will aid his cause but I fancy he can hold on this Friday evening if getting to the front.
The final of the Friday Night Maiden is due off at 20:38 and it’s hard to look beyond last week’s semifinal winners Droopys Naughty and Knockduff Eske. The pair were inseparable on the clock but slight preference for me just goes to Knockduff Eske. She will have the advantage of the inside line around the opening bends, and I feel she can trap better than last week.
Weekend’s Best Bets
Romford Friday
19:36 Merlins Mate. Two Units Win
Towcester Sunday
14:12 Eze. One Unit Win
