Sky Dogs: Warhawk can win Henlow Derby battle

The Sky cameras will be at Henlow on Tuesday night
Defending Henlow Derby champion Taylors Sky could hardly have dug deeper to claim success in his semi-final, but he faces a even tougher battle against Farloe Warhawk, beaten only twice in fourteen races, if he's to retain his crown. Darrell Williams assesses the big race and the supporting card, all live on Sky Sports this Tuesday evening.
21:45 Henlow Derby final
T1 Be Real
Peterborough Puppy Derby winner in the spring and like many of this field a regular big race finalist. All three wins over CD have been from trap one, but twice behind Loughteen Blanco in this event (incl. from trap one in the semi-final). Strong runner, quick enough to make an impact, but may lack the speed to win. Has won only one of his last eleven races.
T2 Farloe Warhawk
Game winner of the Wimbledon Puppy Derby when beating kennelmate Ballymac Eske and has won an incredible twelve of his fourteen races. Unbeaten in this event, clocking the fastest semi-final time and may prove too quick if trapping in front.
T3 Taylors Sky
Defending champion has won all five of his races over this CD and still holds the track-record set in last year's semi-final. Produced a remarkable run to get up in his semi-final and looks back to his best after finishing runner-up in the East Anglian Derby. Could tempt a few at biggish odds, but clock suggests he still has plenty to do.
T4 Loughteen Blanco
Proving to be a good competition dog with victory in the Sunderland Classic and runner-up in the Sussex Cup and has been in the first two in twelve of his fifteen races. Unbeaten in this event and his chance hinges on whether he can lead the arguably better drawn Farloe Warhawk.
T5 Ballycowen Dave
Has yet to win away from Sittingbourne where he went unbeaten through the Kent Derby, but is currently on a losing sequence of six and appears up against it.
T6 Guinness Dusty
Four times a winner here (three from six from this draw) and contests his second final in three weeks following the East Anglian Derby, but is without a win in his last fourteen races. Appears in need of a flyer.
Verdict:
Defending champion Taylors Sky, still to be beaten here, could prove tempting to some at the likely odds after his never say die victory in the semi-final, and with Charlie Lister in his corner, it's not impossible, although he probably needs to find four lengths. Loughteen Blanco has appeared more suited to this venue than he did Yarmouth and Seamus Cahill's remarkably consistent sort also warrants maximum respect, but he needs to lead Farloe Warhawk to win which may prove easier said than done. Barrie Draper's charge has won all but two of his fourteen starts and by virtue of his excellent draw inside slower starting Be Real can gain what looks likely to turn out to be a decisive early advantage.
19:40 Puppy
A tricky opener, with Killieford Khali, unraced since July, marginally overlooked in favour of Hove winner Islas Scolari, who can make all the running.
20:00 428m
Boher Chieftain became the latest to break the clock for this new trip when beating Bush Standard last week, but the latter has proved more consistent and can gain his revenge.
20:15 460m
Farloe Brainy trialed in well last week but has not raced since August and Millridge Duke, a regular CD winner (including from this draw) makes more appeal.
20:35 277m
Glanmire Phanter beat Lil Risky at Yarmouth, but lacks a previous look round here and the latter, a previous winner here, can reverse the form.
20:50 Plate
Ballymac Denis, fourth in last year's Derby here, should enjoy a clear run with the switch to trap one (eight from fourteen) and can return to winning ways. Yeatsie Boy flopped in the Derby semis, but is a useful front-runner himself and rates the danger.
21:10 550m
Ardmayle Player reserves his best form for this CD as he proved here last time and looks to one to beat. Doonane Lad has solid form here but wins few races these days. Westmead Aouita is not out of here on his CD record.
21:25 Marathon
Powerfast Pigeon appears to have been found an easy opportunity to return to winning ways with most of this field unproven over extreme trips.
Recommended Bets
Ardmayle Player 21:10
Ballymac Denis 20:50
Farloe Warhawk 21:45
Millridge Duke 20:15
Lil Risky 20:35