TONY BULLEN: Two dogs to have on your side for the East Anglian Derby

All roads lead to Yarmouth on Wednesday with six competitive heats of the East Anglian Derby kicking off. Charlie Lister OBE was the king at winning this event sending out a record twelve winners.

In recent year’s It’s been another champion trainer in Mark Wallis who has enjoyed a bit of success in this competition and connections will be hoping their two representatives Cat Island and Ballymac John can also give a good account by going deep.

One thing the 462m trip at Yarmouth does have, is a nice run to the turn and will suit those with ferocious early pace, although running the opening bends at speed is also a vital skill you need at this venue as many have fallen foul of conceding lengths by moving off out of the second bend.

Kilara Lion won this event for Patrick Janssens in 2020 and the kennel could easily have enjoyed more success had Coolavanny Shado justified favouritism after being turned over at odds of 1-4f in 2022 and 1-2f in 2023.

Team Janssens sends out a pretty capable trio in Druids Say Go, Romeo Steel and Droopys Doughnut and my ante-post choices are amongst them.

Druids Say Go is an extremely likable bitch, who admittedly is more renowned for her exploits over an easy four bends like the 400m at Romford. However, make no mistake she is a vastly improved performer to what we saw in her opening races over a stiff 500m at Towcester and 480m at Perry Barr at the very start of her career.

She moved extremely well in a recent prep trial over C&D posting a calculated 27.70. Set to improve with each sighting, if Druids Say Go can trap on level terms, her will to get to the front at an early stage and gutsy nature could see her go all the way.

Droopys Doughnut has always been a dog blessed with plenty of talent, but consistency at the boxes was his Achillies heel as a pup. It remains something that has stayed with him even as he has matured, but one thing he hasn’t lost is the ability to go toe-to-toe with the cream on his day.

He comes into this event off the back of a confidence-boosting success at Monmore and also moved well when put through his paces in a prep trial. Throw in the fact he is only one of three wide seeded runners, that makes Droopys Doughnut a big player on the basis he could end up with a good make-up in any round he contests.

Antigua Eagle is threatening to enjoy his moment in the spotlight having contested the Northern Puppy Derby final, Monmore Puppy Derby final and most recently a solid runner-up behind the classy Churchfield Syd in the Gold Cup final. He should relish the long straights and I wouldn’t put anyone off including Kevin Hutton’s charge.

Selections

Druids Say Go (available at 8/1 with AK Bets)

Droopys Doughnut (available at 10/1 with AK Bets)

Tony’s enhanced double is available here!