The 2008 Greyhound Derby Final

An excellent clip of the 2008 Greyhound Derby Final lasting 1 minute 9 seconds.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIKjxnGYPa8

This race was run at Wimbledon on Saturday 31st May 2008

Last years runner up, Loyal Honcho, was made joint favourite along with Tyrur Laurel, to go one better and duly obliged. He broke quickly from an awkward four box to lead at the first and benefitted from bumping by the others. At the first all of the other dogs were involved in scrimmaging leaving Lenson Express to come off worst. Around the first Loyal Honcho, keeping in the middle of the track, built a clear lead from Tyrur Kieran on the rails and Blonde Dino on the wide outside. This order was maintained to the line and Loyal came home a clear three and a half length winner from Tyrur Kieran, with Blonde Dino a further length and a half back in third.

SEMI FINALS (24th May)

First Semi Final

There were joint favourites for the first semi final and, as the boxes went up, it was Kryptonite who showed enough early pace to lead on the inside of Tyrur Laurel, while Lenson Express claimed the rails position and enjoyed a clear run. In a cleanly run race Toosey Blue went wide, also enjoying a trouble free run. At the second bend Tyrur Laurel challenged early leader Kryptonite and took up the running challenged throughout by the joint favourite. Down the home straight Tyrur maintained a length lead with outsider Lenson Express claiming a finals slot a short head back in third.

Second Semi Final

Rails drawn Tyrur Kieran was made the even money favourite to take the second semi and broke smartly enough to cliam the rails and enjoy a trouble free run. However, previous years finalist Loyal Honcho was even quicker away on the outside and made all for a very smooth 3 1/4 length victory. Barnfield On Air made for the middle from the boxes and was crowded by both Seanis Lad and Commander Chief, so it was left to the slowly away Blonde Dino on the wide outside to follow Loyal home just a short head in front of the favourite.

QUARTER FINALS (20th May)

First Quarter Final

Barnfield On Air was installed the 6/4 favourite on the back of some strong performances in his heats and because he had his favoured inside box, and he did show early pace from the boxes but was forced to check by Tyrur Laurel who took up the lead from the first and made all. Blonde Dino, form the wide box, challenged from the second throughout to the final bend but had to settle for the final qualifying place a length and 3/4 behind the winner, as Barnfield came again on the inside and got up for second, beaten a length in 28.76. The 9/2 fourth favourite, Tyrur Laurel, recorded a winning time of 28.67.

Second Quarter Final

Melody's Pat, from the outside berth, was made the 7/4 favourite in front of uneasy Loyal Honch pitched on her inside, but it was to be Loyal Honcho and Lenson Express who got first run. Loyal and Melodys had a bumping match on the outside, which effectively put paid to the favourites chance, and Lenson Express took full advantage to claim the rails position and lead to half way. Loyal recovered well from the early bump and was back in contention by the third, running on too strongly for Lenson to win by 2 1/4 lengths in 28.83. It was left to Droopys Obafemi, who had suffered bumping on the inside and was crowded again at the second, to run on strongly to claim the third qualifying spot 2 3/4 lengths behind the winner.

Third Quarter Final

Strongly fancied Tyrur Kieran, perfectly placed in the inside box, was made the odds on 1/2 favourite and was quickly into his stride, but it was the second favourite Toosey Blue, on the wide outside who led at the first and, despite suffering a bump, maintained the lead throughout the race. In a bunching race behind it was the favourite who prevailed for second, 3/4 length behind, with Commander Chief a further 3/4 length back in third.

Fourth Quarter Final

Kryptonite, from the two box, was made the 6/4 favourite and justified his position at the head of the market despite being slow away from the boxes. He had made up the ground by the first bend to claim the rails position and lead at the first. Dilemmas Flight made a gallant bid on the outside but she was bumped at the first and it was left to the inside trio to share the 3 qualifying places with Seanis Lad claiming second 3/4 length behind the winner and a short head in front of Express Ego.

THIRD ROUND HEATS (17th May)

SECOND ROUND HEATS (9th & 10th May)

FIRST ROUND HEATS (2nd & 3rd May)

SCOTTISH GREYHOUND DERBY (Shawfield)

IRISH GREYHOUND DERBY (Shelbourne Park)

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