REX TO TOWER OVER RIVALS AT TOWCESTER

Ian Fortune

Twelve months ago, Graham Holland and his Riverside Kennels outfit finally got over the line capturing their first English Derby with Romeo Magico emerging a memorable winner.

Twelvemonths on, the odds are very much stacked in the Golden based handler’s favour as he seeks a second success in the Star Sports/ TRC English Derby at Towcester.

IMPERIOUS REX THE CLEAR FAVOURITE

With half the field representing his all-conquering kennel, Holland will be more than hopeful that one of his charges can do the business and land the incredible £175,000 winner’s prize.

The market suggests that Swords Rex is his greatest hope with the 2022 Kirby Memorial and this year’s Easter Cup champion odds-on to complete an unbeaten passage through the classic. Representing Swords based owner Barbara Lowndes, he has been nothing short of immense through the stake. Showing electric pace in the early yards, he has yet to see a rival in the classic and if avoiding early traffic, is the very likely pace-setter.

DUKE A BIG THREAT

Standing in his way are his two hugely talented kennel companions Clona Duke and Gaytime Nemo.

The former has already established himself as one of the very best in training after capturing the Juvenile Derby at Shelbourne Park last October before going on to follow up at the Winter Racing Festival and this year’s Select Stakes at Waterford.

He has also equalled the 525yd track record at Limerick and twice broken the Towcester track record during the Derby. In fact, only last week, he took almost a length off his own record. His supporters would have preferred a draw inside Swords Rex but he is still seen as the greatest threat to his kennelmate from trap five.

Kevin O’Brien has owned many champions in the past and is no stranger to classic success but this would be the biggest victory of his wonderfully successful time in greyhound racing.

BUOYANT NEMO REPRESENTS VALUE

Brendan O’Connell will be praying his star Gaytime Nemo can upset his two kennel companions from trap two.

Remarkably, Gaytime Nemo hadn’t raced since January ahead of the opening round but the hugely talented son of Droopys Sydney was obviously prepared to perfection as he has been one of the stars of the classic.

He is available at 10-1 in places for tonight’s final which is just insulting to a greyhound with very obvious claims and the ability to challenge and beat the very best in training. His owner/breeder would give anything to see his star make his best start of the Derby. If doing so, don’t be surprised if he has a huge say in the outcome.

THE HOME TEAM

That leaves us with the home team captained by Romeo Command, a former inmate at Graham Holland’s.

He has found his wings since joining Patrick Janssens, winning thirteen of his fifteen starts in the UK and he is undoubtedly the biggest threat to Graham Holland’s three-strong team.

Although not blessed with top class early speed, he has massive pace down the back straight and is a strong stayer. If he were to make a flying exit from trap three, he could play a part.

Cochise and Ninja Kerry complete the line-up. Cochise is a stout stayer and will be finishing well but may struggle to turn close to the pace. He will need plenty of luck, as will Ninja Kerry. The latter began his career on these shores and actually went unsold at a Kilkenny Sales. He provides young handler Belinda Green with a first Derby finalist and is the rank outsider of the field. While he has been running well, he has yet to win around Towcester and his price seems to reflect his chance.

AN IRISH TRAINED WINNER

This scribe may be biased but it’s difficult to see past a Graham Holland trained winner.

After finally capturing the English Derby with Romeo Magico twelve months ago, the master trainer is set to follow up.

The pin falls on Swords Rex to provide Leonard and Barbara Lowndes their greatest night in the sport. The sensational son of Droopys Sydney can get first run on Clona Duke and Gaytime Nemo to provide Ireland with another winner of the blue riband event. Should he, or one of his kennel companions, come home in front, it would be a seventh Irish trained winner this century and a seventeenth in total. The best of luck to all involved.