MAN TWENTY ONE set a scorching pace in the heats of the Henlow Maiden Derby (460m) on Sunday.
Allison Kelly-Pilgrim’s runner, one of the oldest runners in the original entry, was making a winning UK debut in heat five of the Category One event at the Bedfordshire venue as he made a quick start and raced away to win by three lengths from Dalcash Behold (Kevin Hutton) in 27.55sec (normal).
A precocious puppy, Man Twenty One had won the 2017 Texacloth Juvenile Derby at Newbridge for owners Ray Dean and Paul Surridge before making the final of the same year’s Juvenile Derby at Shelbourne Park, finishing third by Skywalker Rafa.
“He ran a great race for us, but has always had plenty of ability – things just never fell right for him last year,” said Kelly-Pilgrim. “Ray and Paul actually bought him before he won the Texacloth and it was always their plan for him to come over to run in last year’s Derby. “However we never managed to get him there. He didn’t cope very well with the extraordinary heat we had last spring/summer and suffered a big setback and ultimately he went back to Ireland under the care of Eugene Price at his ‘Pennys’ kennels.
“About a month ago Ray mentioned about bringing him back over here for a tilt at this year’s Derby as he’s still very lightly raced with just 22 races to date. He arrived looking in great shape and we started his preparation with a sprint trial at Henlow.
“He came out of the trial bouncing, and Ray and Paul suggested we had a crack at the Henlow Maiden Derby – so here we are and he didn’t disappoint us. We can now look forward to Sunday’s semis along with our other runner Deanridge Kane.”
Kelly-Pilgrim has recently moved to new kennels in Tiptree, Essex.
“At present we can house around 48 dogs,” the Crayford trainer added. “Another block needs total refurbishment which will take us to a total of 65 dogs and we have around eight acres of grassland and a 350m sand gallop.
“I’m very grateful to Ray (Dean) who has helped us with getting the new facilities up and running so quickly.
“Oi Oi Upenalty (28.01sec) was another opening her UK account as Hayley Keightley’s runner, incredibly a Derby semi-finalist last year but still a maiden prior to Sunday, came home strongly to lead another Kelly-Pilgrim-trained runner in Deanridge Kane.
The performance – and the victory – delighted Mark Keightley, husband of the winning trainer, who said: “It’s amazingly to think after going so far in last year’s Derby at Towcester she was still a maiden, but it’s been a roller-coaster ride with her.
“In fairness to her it’s been down to constantly picking up various injuries, none of which were straightforward and serious enough to keep her off for fairly long periods. She’s a madam to say the least, but a lovely bitch to have around – she’s very loving.
“In my mind she’s without doubt the fastest bitch in England and Ireland – it’s just the hold-ups checking her career,” he added. “She can chase down Roxholme Nidge or just lob up to A5 dogs – that’s the vice we have to try and iron out!
“Henlow doesn’t play to her strengths but it’s an ideal prep for Nottingham and the Derby which she’ll love, especially the back and home-straight. Don’t count her out going deep again.
“It’s a busy week for us, but a great one,” he added. “Roxholme Poppy goes for us in the (Coral) Regency Final and, as expected, improved significantly for her heat run to win her semi. However, she badly cramped up after the line and we certainly need the week between races with her at the moment.
“Fingers crossed she can get close up early and give herself a chance.
“Man Twenty One and Oi Oi Upenalty aside, the remaining Henlow Maiden Derby heats were won by Algo For You (28.10sec, Mark Wallis), Ballymac Fargo (28.11sec, Kevin Hutton) and the Paul Young pair of Bubbly Fair (28.27sec) and Bubbly Spark (27.62sec).