FromPostToPillar – ante-post favourite to win the 2023 StarSports Greyhound Derby – was knocked out of the competition on Saturday night on an extraordinary night at Towcester.
The three-times Category One race winner was badly bumped in the first turn of Heat 23 and again exiting turn two. He recovered ground well before being hampered exiting turn three once more and running on to place fifth.
It’s the first major upset of the competition with Irish pair Clona Duke and Swords Rex now clear joint-favourites to win outright with sponsors StarSports at 7/1.
There was another upset in Heat 24 (6.50pm) when Droopys Fidget, trained by Nathan Hunt, also failed to qualify when placing fourth behind Cochise, Burj Khalifa and Tullig Raven.
Cesarewitch winner Cochise – typically dependent on his late turn of foot – made the fastest start and never looked back, clocking the fastest time of the night (28.94).
Jackie Rees – wife of trainer Richard – said: “I thought he’d have to come from behind, but when I saw him come out it was a bit of a relief.
“We gave him a spin around Hove last week to keep him fit and it’s worked well. We’ve got high hopes of progressing and the owners wanted him to run as he stays on so well.”
Other qualifiers on the night included last year’s semi-finalist Lautaro who showed great character to place third despite hitting trouble in Heat 22 – the evening’s opening race.
Romeo Command had to work hard to claim Heat 25 while another big name Deelish Frankie won Heat 26.
The biggest cheer of the night was reserved for Heat 31, though, as Goldies Perryman – owned by Team FOB – beat Stevie Knows by half-a-length in 29.28 seconds.
The StarSports English Greyhound Derby resumes at Towcester Racecourse on Friday, June 2, when Round Two begins. The draw for Round Two will take place at Towcester Racecourse on Monday at 1pm and will be streamed exclusively via StarSports.
