Newinn Session Heads English Derby Betting

THE English Derby sponsored by Star Sports and Arc kicks off at Nottingham Greyhound Stadium this weekend with eight first round heats on Friday and Saturday.

The format has changed due to the current Covid-19 restrictions in the UK which has resulted in less dogs being able to cross the sea from Ireland to compete, due to difficult quarantine restrictions. 

It means the Derby will now comprise 96 runners and be worth £50,000 to-the-winner rather than the usual 192 entries competing for a six figure sum.

That said, the quality is there in abundance.

The Irish team may be much smaller than normal but it still oozes class.

Training husband and wife duo, Graham and Nicky Holland, won the Irish Greyhound Derby just 11 days ago with Newinn Taylor.

That dog has stayed at home for a well-earned rest but kennel companion Newinn Session, owned by the same man, Simon Taylor, heads the betting at 9/1.

The ante-post favourite has been well backed in recent weeks and connections will be hoping his exceptional Clonmel form can translate to Nottingham. The Holland camp also have 2019 Irish Derby winner Lenson Bocko as part of their team. He's next in betting at 14/1 but it remains to be seen if he is quite the force to be reckoned with that he was last year.

The leading English contender is a stunning black and white dog called Bockos Doomie, trained by Patrick Janssen's and priced at 16/1.

Doomie won the category one Sussex Cup last month and is, without doubt, one of the fastest dogs in training having won seven of his eight starts this year. His achilles heel is that he is draw dependent and runs his best races when close to the rail. 

In what is being billed as a real clash of the titans, Newinn Session and Lenson Bocko will meet in the last heat of the first round this weekend.

Newinn Session has drawn the red trap while his counterpart is in trap three.

Ideally they would be drawn the other way round but hopefully both can progress through to the second round.

Other notable dogs to look out for include Alison Kelly-Pilgrims Dearidge Sirius and Deanridge Rapid who have been flying around the track in trials. Alison is yet to win a Category One event as a trainer so it would be some feat if she could land the Derby classic.

This year, the Derby really is a competition where any number of greyhounds could win and so from a betting point of view, there are three dogs I like each-way at bigger prices.

Waikiki Lad was runner-up in a brilliant juvenile race and is as keen as they come. I like his attitude. He is 50/1.

Bower Luke won the All England Cup final and is reported to be bouncing by his trainer Pat Rosney. He's a 66/1 chance.

And East Anglian Derby winner, Kilara Lion has proven he can handle the rigours of a tough competition and is thriving now in the hands of the aforementioned Patrick Janssen's, who agrees with me that his in form runner is a massive price at 80/1.

It's been touch and go as to whether or not the English Derby would happen at all after it had to be cancelled in the spring, as the UK went into lockdown.

Now, with curfews still in place, the Derby is giving greyhound fans something to look forward to and sponsor Ben Keith of Star Sports is delighted it's all going ahead.

"The greyhound racing family in the UK have pulled together to make it all possible," said Keith.

"We love watching what's happening with Australian greyhound racing where the quality of racing and prize money is second to none and we send everyone in Australia our best wishes and look forward to welcoming you back to the UK for greyhound racing when you're able to visit."

Roll on the weekend. I for one can't wait!