Blake the boss as Logan settles for third

By Paul Cooney

 

It was a wonderful occasion at Nottingham Greyhound Stadium last Saturday for the final of the 2019 Star Sports, ARC & LPS Greyhound Derby and although local supporters were ultimately left disappointed that Pat Guilfoyle’s Skywalker Logan was made to settle for third place.

However, it remained a night to remember as Irish runners filled the first three places with the title heading for Gowran through Paul Hennessy’s Priceless Blake.

Registering a second success in the event, Paul Hennessy had previously claimed the last staging at Wimbledon when Jaytee Jet scored in 2016. Priceless Blake made a brilliant start from Trap 3 and crucially repelled Magical Bale to the first bend.

Chased to the back-straight by Ballymac Tas, Skywalker Logan would make his way to third at this point but forced to check on the run to the first bend, he would be a shade further back than would be ideal as Priceless Blake held all of four lengths over Ballymac Tas with two more back to our local hope.

The lead of Priceless Blake did reduce marginally to the closing bends and Logan began to mount a challenge when on the tail of Ballymac Tas but forced to check once more at the third bend, progress was halted at a vital stage.

Still in control to the home-straight, the champion elect needed the line as Ballymac Tas threatened with a late surge while for one brief moment Skywalker Logan gave supporters hope as he closed rapidly while widest of all. However it was Priceless Blake’s Derby and he held on gamely for a deserved half-length verdict in a fast 29.32 with Logan just a head further back in third.

 

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