Sentinel could prove too slick in final batch of Derby Trial Stakes

Sentinel could prove too slick in final batch of Derby Trial Stakes

With the Star Sports Greyhound Derby kicking off on Thursday, May 8, today sees the final batch of Trial Stakes before the start of the competition in what could prove to be a good afternoon for trainer Patrick Janssens, who looks to have a few runners who have outstanding claims.

SLICK SENTINEL (Trap 6 above) makes his first start since finishing runner-up behind Table Toppers in the final of the Blue Riband in January and looks to have everything in his favour in the 2.52 contest. Having recorded 28.78 in a trial on April 10, he then did a 29.42 in another trial 12 days later, but he is likely to improve a bundle on that run and an early lead out wide could see him tough to reel in while ROMEO EMPIRE looks set to go off at very prohibited odds in the 4.44 contest and ought to be dealing with his rivals with the minimum of fuss.

ROMEO STEEL (trap 4 above) has been in good form in recent weeks winning five of his last six starts, including a couple of victories at Sheffield, recording the fastest time of the year over the 500m course. He could make light work of his rivals again at 3.49 if able to produce another of his trademark bursts of early pace. Rackethall Brute will look to follow up last week's come from off the pace victory but may have to settle for the runner-up role on this occasion.

Janssens could again be on target in the race of the day at 2.33, where his track record holder BARNTICK BEAR could get the better of a number of quality rivals, including Juvenile fourth March on Freddie, who ran a better race than the official comments that were given on that occasion and is sure to be staying on well and Graham Holland’s Irish Derby semi-finalist Bombay Pat, who has gone well in a couple of trials over course and distance. Droopys Pivotel looks likely to lead in the early stages on the rails, but Barntick Bear runs Towcester well and he could prove too strong rounding the final bends.

Romeo Command is another who looks to have solid claims for the Janssens team as like Slick Sentinel, he is likely to improve on that trial on April 22, but he may find one too good here as Irish Raider DYNAMIC FORCE could be the one to beat. He showed up well in a recent trial and has a cracking draw to work from in this contest with a vacant trap inside and with the chance of more to come from that run, then he could make all the running.

Sheffield Opens

Over at Sheffield there are five opens on the card and it good be a good afternoon for Rose Draper. 

The best bet in those races could come in the opener at 4.42, where Draper’s in-form ROCKING TAYLOR could be the one to beat over 280m. He has made all the running in three of his last four starts and has the benefit of an inside draw here. If breaking in his usual fashion, he could hold his position at the opening bend and prove tough to reel in, though kennel-mate Ellanne Best and Tom Heilbron’s Brynoffa Snipe could make their presence felt.

Draper may also be on the mark in the 5.37 contest as DISTANT FLOW will be looking to land the four-timer and a repeat of either of her two previous victories could be enough to see her taking victory again over 500m. A good day could be rounded off in the finale at 5.57 over 660m where DISTANT FOX has a chance to gain an early lead on the rails, and having ran well in defeat behind Breton Molly in his last start over this distance, then he could get back to winning ways, holding off the late charge from kennel-mate Rockmount Lucy and Richard Wales’s Farneys Willie.