Logan one step away from English Derby final

The annual pilgrimage of Irish racing fans to the final of the English Greyhound Derby is little over a week away. Sure to include many local enthusiasts, the prospects of having one of our own to cheer took a step closer to reality on Saturday as the Pat Guilfoyle trained Skywalker Logan produced yet another brave display to advance to the final twelve of the 2019 Starsports Arc & LPS Derby at Nottingham.

Opening his campaign when lowering the 550-yard track record in first round victory, the Moneygall representative added a second heat win in the next round but has been forced to battle for qualifying places in each of his two latest heats. Ideally suited to the demands of such a testing competition however, Logan’s array of attributes see him an ominous threat amidst a truly astounding cast who remain in the UK’s premier competition.

Facing a complicated draw in Saturday’s concluding quarter-final, the presence of Nice Charmer to his inside from Trap 2 saw Logan struggle to contain that rival on the run to the first bend as defending champion Dorotas Wildcat cut out the running. Ushered a touch wide upon turning, Logan would suffer further crowding at the second bend and his presence in the Derby was under real threat while fifth at the top of the back-straight, all of eight lengths adrift of the leader!

 

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