1956 GREYHOUND DERBY

This race was run at the White City.

Dunmore King claimed the £20,000 first prize by beating Duet Leader in a time of 28.84.

EARLY ROUNDS

Noel Purvis, who had made his money from building up a shipping line, was keen to land the 1956 Derby. His plans seemed to be on course when 4 brothers Northern Champion, Belingas Customer, Northern King and Gulf of Darien all made it through to the semi finals. However, in opposition were the previous years finalists Duet Leader and Home Straight, and the Irish youngster Dunmore King. Paddy McEvoy trained at Clapton and he was responsible for Dunmore King. It was owned by Jack McAllister and had previously won the McAlevey Gold Cup at Celtic Park in 29.44.

SEMI-FINALS

In the first semi it was Northern King who led from the first bend to round it in front and maintain his lead throughout to win by an impressive 4 lengths in 28.75. Although Purvis was upbeat about King and Champion, he was also worried by the threat from Dunmore King. At the off in the second semi Dunmore was only 3/1 second favourite behind the 4/6 Northern Champion. However, it was Dunmore who trapped the smarter and was never headed after leading at the first. Home Straight and Northern Champion maintained their challenge, but Purvis was to be bitterly disappointed when Champion was outstayed by Gulf of Darien, and Home Straight was also pipped for a finals place for the second year running by Quick Surprise.

THE FINAL

While it was widely thought that the final rested between Dunmore King at 7/2 and Northern King at 6/4, many feared that neither were ideally placed in 3 and 4 respectively. In the event it was the 8/1 Duet Leader who broke smartly just in front of Dunmore. By the first bend Dunmore had gained the lead, closely followed by Duet Leader, and it was left to Northern King to make his customary late headway. As they approached the final bend, with Norther looking increasingly threatening, he clipped the heels of Duet and put paid to both of their challenges. Dunmore King prevailed by 1/2 length in 29.22, and it was left to the fast finishing Gulf of Darien to claim joint second spot when dead heating with Duet Leader..

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