Progressive Sam poised to land Derby
Very few gave Skellig Wish any chance of advancing further, as he was heavily run in the opening round, but he showed tremendous courage when putting out the long odds favourite Offshore Eoin on a just up decision when coming from behind.
He then advanced the last eight when beating Tom Bawn by a length, but it will be a miracle if he can go any further as he was also hard run in this buckle.
The hope of the north, Ashmore Sambo, also bit the dust being led all the way by Brindle Man who had a length and a half in hand for the opening turn. Another major upset was Here Comes Harry being eliminated, running unsighted in his buckle with Aftertiming.
However, it’s still very much a case of all to play for in the classic. India Rio clocked a very fast time in his third round yesterday and could advance to the semi-final at the expense of Belated Birthday.
Patsy Byrne’s Prime Example faces Go Home Hare in the second quarter final and, the way the latter is running, he looks the one to advance.
It will be a sensation if Skellig Wish somehow manages to see off Solid Monk as he is miles behind in the handicap while Blueview Sam, the new long odds favourite, should get the better of Aftertiming in the last of the quarter finals.
The progressive Blueview Sam gets the nod to win out.
In the Greyhound & Pet World Oaks there was only one big upset in the second round with Rosie Hedge getting the better of Come On Vivienne by two lengths. There was a bigger shock in the third round when the northern owned second favourite, Ravel Glory, went out by a length to Dale Roisin. Other minor upsets in this round included Yorkville Stella being ousted by Awe And Wonder and Oh Banba defeating Oilean Smile.
In the quarter finals this morning Feede Blond will be expected to overcome Emmas Goldrush while it is hard to oppose the long odds favourite, Fives Treasure, who has been superb all week. She should make the semi-finals at the expense of Awe And Wonder.
Coffee In Currow impressed the clockers yesterday and may have the measure of Oh Banba, who had a hard third round course. There is little between Rosie Hedge and Dale Roisin, with the latter possibly the percentage bet to advance.
Fives Treasure has been very impressive all week and can claim the crown.
The two all-aged stakes, the Classic Club Champion Stakes and the Grace Bruton Memorial Stakes are down for decision today.
Kyle King can give Marie Field some compensation for the defeat of Kyle Ranger in the Derby last year by taking the Champion Stakes while Southside Tess looks the part in the Grace Bruton Memorial.
