The History of the Blue Riband
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Officials & Prize Money Race 1 Trap 1 A smart local with a decent draw on the inside, chasing a hat-trick Trap 2 Moved well here in a trial last month, will taste success soon Trap 3 Can ruffle some feathers with a slick exit, game winner last week Trap 4 Has kept good company at Henlow, turns up here in good form Trap 5 Caught the eye on debut at Yarmouth, lack of a look here is a concern Trap 6 Pleasing effort first time up at Monmore, step up in trip could suit Clarky’s Choice: Trap 3 - Hather Georgia Race 2 Trap 1 A speedy sort dropping back in trip, inside draw enhances claims Trap 2 Smart sort who has switched between 2 and 4 bends, is the one to beat Trap 3 Has been in good form at Romford, will need to be on her toes here Trap 4 Smart Sheffield sprinter with a decent strike-rate, is the main danger Trap 5 Faultless on last two appearances over course and distance, up in class Trap 6 Just the sole success to date, encouraging trial here last week Clarky’s Choice: Trap 2 - Tasty Treat Advert Race 3 Trap 1 Produce and British Breeders Stakes finalist, drawn to perfection in red Trap 2 Has been enjoying his time here recently, looking to make an early move Trap 3 Very capable on his day, would very much prefer a draw on the inside Trap 4 Fluffed the start in Blue Riband heat, open to plenty of improvement Trap 5 Likes to fly from the boxes and boss proceedings, chances rest on start Trap 6 A powerful tracker, caught the eye in first round of the Blue Riband Clarky’s Choice: Trap 1 - Amka Rofe Race 4 Trap 1 Better suited to this step back up in trip, lack of a look here is a concern Trap 2 Up in trip and into the unknown, will be looking to assert early on Trap 3 Yet to confirm stamina over this demanding trip, tricky draw out in T3 Trap 4 Semi-finalist in Blue Riband, interesting stepping up in distance Trap 5 Recently finished behind T6, hard to make a case for him Trap 6 One of the better bets today, ran very well in defeat at Crayford last time Clarky’s Choice: Trap 6 - Savana Prosecco (W) Advert Race 5 Trap 1 Won the Winter Derby last year, endured a rough ride last time out Trap 2 We are yet to see the best of him, has moved well here in trials Trap 3 Classy and versatile sort dropping back in trip, a three-time winner here Trap 4 Unbeaten in two starts at Towcester, be a brave punter to oppose him Trap 5 All action early on, only a fast start will suffice but he is capable Trap 6 No stranger to success over course and distance, great draw out wide Clarky’s Choice: Trap 4 - Sparta Master (M) Race 6 Trap 1 Is fancied to reverse form with T6, will have the inside all to himself here Trap 2 Smart trial here last week, would be more comfortable drawn further out Trap 3 One of the top local sprinters, first appearance for almost a month Trap 4 Needs to step up on recent efforts, but has a decent draw to work from Trap 5 Trialled well on his first visit last week, open to plenty of improvement Trap 6 Took his chance well on last visit, an opportunity again if timing the start Clarky’s Choice: Trap 1 - Ardera Nidge Covid-19 Protection Blue Riband History The History Of The Blue Riband The Blue Riband is one of greyhound racing’s most iconic races, so its return to the schedule of major greyhound races is a source of real pride to the management at Towcester Racecourse. As track promoter Kevin Boothby explains, the former Wembley and Hall Green competition, last run in 2012, is very much in the hearts of greyhound fans with one of the most famous roll of honours in the sport’s history. He said: “Growing up, the Blue Riband was one of those competitions the best greyhounds and the best trainers competed for - and wanted to win. Just look at who’s won the event. Some great names - and a wonderful history. “Therefore, what better race to continue our intention to stage some of the biggest races in the sport? We staged the Puppy Derby here in December and, of course, will be hosting the Greyhound Derby in the summer among other top competitions here. “These are tough times for everyone and certainly for business, but our commitment to greyhound racing is strong and by staging the Blue Riband we are underlining that. It’s a magnificent throwback to some great days - and we intend to replicate those.” First staged at Wembley in 1981, victory went to a greyhound by the name of Arfur Mo. He was trained by John Honeysett, then a Crayford-based handler, but very much a Wembley trainer by the time his Living Trail caused a 50-1 shock in 1984! Blue Riband History But such moments in Wembley’s history are just part of the incredible story of the one-time Empire Stadium, which staged the Olympics in 1948 and, of course, the 1966 World Cup Final. But greyhound racing was key to its history - for many years keeping it afloat! The St Leger was staged there, so too the Select Stakes and by the 1980s the Blue Riband was very much part of the furniture and given almost Classic status by the greyhound cognoscenti - especially given the list of star names who won the prestigious trophy during its Wembley days. These included Geoff De Mulder’s Fearless Champ (1986), Nick Savva’s Westmead Harry (1990), Terry Kibble’s Dempsey Duke (1992), John Coleman’s Hypnotic Stag (1993) and Barrie Draper’s He Knows (1998), the last winner beneath the Twin Towers. The following year the Blue Riband had switched to Hall Green, Birmingham, following Wembley’s closure to become the national stadium a decade later - and Nick Savva landed the second of his three victories in the event with Droopys Merson (1999). This brilliant tracker was part-owned by Nathan Corden, now a consultant here, so there is extra special reason for Towcester hosting the Blue Riband. Nathan has very happy memories of this great event! Vintage Cleaner (2000) for John McGee will always be deemed a special winner as will Farloe Verdict (2003) and Mark Wallis’s Eye Onthe Storm (2010), all of whom broke the track record in winning their titles. Blue Riband History Incidentally, Farloe Verdict is one of two winners for now-retired Charlie Lister OBE, who also struck with Farloe Reason in 2008. Two years previously Westmead Joe became a third Savva-trained winner, making the legendary breeder/trainer the winningmost handler when it comes to Blue Riband history. However, in terms of tracks Hove leads the way courtesy of Lulus Hero (1985) and Sambuca (1987) for Gunner Smith, plus Derek Knight’s Wuncross Double (1991), Gordon Hodson’s Quick Tune (1996) and Brian Clemenson’s Droopys Oasis (2004). Faughan Rebel (Richard Yeates) represents the Sussex venue in this year’s final and takes his chance against, among others, big-race winners Kilara Lion (Patrick Janssens) and Newinn Jacko (Ernie Gaskin), who between them have four Category One victories to their name. Kevin Hutton, who won a Derby here at Towcester with Dorotas Wildcat (2018), is represented by Great Eastern; 11-time champion trainer Mark Wallis sends out Coolavanny Kyser, while another Classic-winning handler John Mullins aims for Blue Riband gold with Swift Lettuce. Towcester is immensely proud to have revived another famous competition this year and our thanks go to TRC Health + Hygiene for their support. Good luck to all the finalists and their connections. Blue Riband Finalists Trap 1 Kilara Lion Owners: Chris Crampton, Harry Crapper, David Priestley and Nigel Thomas Trainer: Patrick Janssens, Central Park Twice a winner of a Category One event in 2020 courtesy of victory in both the Yarmouth and Kent Derbys, Kilara Lion has been nominated for the Standard Distance Performer of the Year honour at the upcoming GBGB Awards along with Greyhound Derby champion Deerjet Sydney and Newinn Jacko, one of today’s rivals. From the kennels of new champion trainer Patrick Janssens, Kilara Lion comes from a cracking litter which includes Irish Derby finalist Kilara Icon. He lines up as favourite after an unbeaten run through to today’s final, aiming for a brilliant five-timer in the process. Blue Riband Finalists Trap 2 Coolavanny Kyser Owners: Stephen Oliver, Alan Curtis and Eammon Johnston Trainer: Mark Wallis, Henlow Representing 11-time champion trainer Mark Wallis, Coolavanny Kyser aims to land a second Blue Riband title for the boss of Imperial Kennels who struck with Eye Onthe Storm at Hall Green in 2010 - in track-record time. A winner at Limerick, Tralee and Shelbourne Park during a successful Irish career, Coolavanny Kyser also reached the semi-finals of the Tipperary Cup at Thurles. A well-bred sort, the two-year-old is a half-brother of top Irish trackers Cable Bay, Jaytee Taylor and Innocent Times, a Puppy Derby runner-up here in 2017 behind Magical Bale. Blue Riband Finalists Trap 3 Great Eastern Owners: Stephen Townsley and Seamus Lanney Trainer: Kevin Hutton, Monmore Made a winning UK debut in January after an extensive Irish career which included making the third round of both the 2019 and 2020 Irish Derbys for Martin Lanney.