Sky Dogs: Phoenix can rise to Yarmouth Derby success

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"Bubbly Phoenix could hardly have been any more impressive in his semi-final when getting to within ten spots of the track-record, and worryingly for his rivals, having come into this event after an injury; he may still have more to offer!"

Bubbly Phoenix stands on the brink of giving his huge syndicate of owners, the Champagne Club, East Anglian Derby success - live on Sky Sports on Thursday night - after narrowly missing out on the track-record in the semi-finals. But there's just the small matter of 'Yarmouth king' Charlie Lister and Taylors Sky standing in his way. Darrell Williams is across the whole card.

21:45 East Anglian Derby final

T1 Taylors Sky

There could be no better candidate than the former Derby winner and reigning Dog of the Year to provide Charlie Lister with the chance of adding to his incredible tally in this race. Touched off in his semi-final, but had won earlier rounds in good style. Has never been out of the first two from trap one with eleven wins from fifteen races and race make-up offers him realistic chances.

T2 Pennys Midas
Local runner has performed well to reach this stage, having also finished third in the Peterborough version last month, but probably needs a 'flyer' as in the second round to play any serious part.

T3 Fifis Legend
Has run respectably behind hotpots Bubbly Phoenix and Taylors Sky in all three rounds, especially behind the latter in the second round, and should appreciate the switch to trap three.

T4 Guinness Dusty
Fifth in the Monmore Puppy Derby back in March, but something of a surprise finalist here. Improved run in his semi-final and can win from trap four, despite his wide tag, but without a win in his last eleven races.

T5 Bubbly Phoenix
Wimbledon Derby semi-finalist could hardly have returned from injury in better shape, giving the track-record a shaking with a seven length victory in his semi-final and has won his three heats by an astonishing seventeen lengths! The one to beat, but will need to trap smartly with his kennelmate in trap six capable of 'pinging'

T6 Millwards Matt
Like Bubbly Phoenix is also unbeaten in the event to provide Paul Young with a very strong hand. Ideally suited to trap six and a determined sort as he proved when beating Taylors Sky in the semis and a more than capable 'second string'

Verdict:

Bubbly Phoenix could hardly have been any more impressive in his semi-final when getting to within ten spots of the track-record, and worryingly for his rivals, having come into this event after an injury, he may still have more to offer! If he traps, and the five box has proved no hindrance in the last two rounds, he's likely to prove too quick and he rates the obvious selection. The only fear is if his equally in-form kennelmate Milwards Matt were to trap as quickly as he did in the first round, but his wide tendencies shouldn't inconvenience 'Phoenix' too much. No one would dare ever write off Charlie Lister in a Yarmouth Derby final and in Taylors Sky he has the perfect candidate to topple the favorite, with the draw set to ensure he gives the favourite a run for his money.

19:40 Puppy
Killieford Deal has been competing at a good level and his trial makes him the one to beat. Droopys Ardan showed bundles of improvement in his own trial, while Dr Whizz is a rapidly improving local runner who makes some appeal at the odds.

20:00 Sprint
Lil Risky runs this track well and is ideally suited to the red box, but Monleek Town broke the clock here last month and despite a wider than ideal draw looks the one to play.

20:15 Ladies
An all-railers affair and while an inside draw would have been better, Belvedere Emma, not unfancied against Taylors Sky in an early round Derby heat, will be tough to beat on her win here last month.

20:35 Marathon
Aero Gaga keeps winning races and is probably the logical choice just on that reason alone, even though Powerfast Pigeon looks sure to appreciate her first marathon since April.

20:50 Gents
Droopys Reason, while not 'plotted up', certainly looks well drawn inside Star Cash Simon. Isheforreal has found it more difficult here than over shorter trips elsewhere in the past.

21:10 Stayers
A tricky heat. Blonde Reagan, best on the lead, may struggle to clear Jaytee Monroe, which could allow in Monleek Amigo, even though his absence since June is of some concern.

21:25 Invitation
Loughteen Blanco can handle a middle draw and will take the beating on his Derby first round win. Ballycowen Dave is better from trap six. Boher Paddy is finding winning difficult these days.

Select

Belvedere Emma 20:15
Droopys Reason 20:50
Monleek Amigo 21:10
Bubbly Phoenix 21:45
Monleek Town 20:00