BUTTSYS BLACKIE posted the fastest time of three semi-final winners in the KAB Maiden Derby at Towcester on Tuesday – landing a 20-1 surprise in the process.

Trained by Crayford’s Allison Kelly-Pilgrim, the April 2018 son of Pinpoint Maxi and Killeacle Tammy was very quickly away on his way to a speedy 4.10sec sectional and a one-and-a-half success over Gary Griffiths’ local hope Brynhall Respect in 29.46sec.

The first semi-final saw the Patrick Janssens-trained Thorn Falcon follow up his impressive heat success on UK debut the previous week with another victory, albeit achieved in far different fashion given this was an off-the-pace success.

Ballymac Slapup (John Mullins) led at the first bend here, but after being forced wide off the second turn Thorn Falcon made ground down the back to catch the leader off the third bed and went on to score by over five lengths from Amazing Wink (Richard Rees).

The latter stayed on well after breaking in front. The winning time was 29.71sec.

The third semi-final went to Paul Young’s Diamond Lisa who finished best to grab Lee Field’s longtime leader Tommys Ranger close home to win by a neck in 29.84sec.

Third here was Jaytee Wexford for Irish trainer Paul Hennessy and, while missing out on a place in next week’s GBGB Category One final, the Co. Kilkenny-based handler had earlier seen his Priceless Jet set a new track record for the 500m trip with a 29.11sec.

That runaway victory came in one of a number of trial stakes for the Star Sports and TRC Events & Leisure English Greyhound Derby 2021 and, according to Towcester spokesman Nathan Corden, has whetted the appetite for the upcoming Classic.

“We’ve seen some cracking trials and trial stakes here, but to see a new track record really has upped the ante – and given Priceless Jet is an Irish entry maybe that’s an omen. The visitors have dominated recent Derbys and Paul (Hennessy) himself is twice a winner.

“Priceless Jet was impressive, as was kennelmate Beach Avenue – so it’s clear Paul will have a strong hand. But I also like what Candy Man is doing – he’s a really exciting and powerful sort of Carol Weatherall’s and was also a popular winner last night.”

Corden confirmed the draw for the Star Sports and TRC Events & Leisure English Greyhound Derby would take place on the afternoon Saturday, May 29, and would be broadcast on RPGTV who will show, along with SIS, all the Derby action.

He added: “The entry is capped at 192 which means 32 heats across three nights here on June 3, 4, 5 – Thursday to Saturday. Entries close on May 26.

“We will have a number of supporting competitions including the RPGTV Derby Plate for greyhounds knocked out of the main event in the first three rounds, plus a two-run First Containers Dorando Marathon and a British-bred event backed by TruFrame and the BGBF.

“We are also introducing two new distances and are shortly installing new traps for these and will have a competition over a shorter four-bend trip, plus a bitches competition and a hurdles race. Yes, hurdles racing is making a return to Towcester.”

Of the KAB Maiden Derby semis, Corden added: “There were some good performances, but certainly a few shocks. It’s probably not the final we expected and connections of one or two runners can count themselves unlucky not to have made the final.

“However, well done to the connections of all next Tuesday’s finalists and we look forward to another great night’s racing here with the KAB Maiden Derby Final supported by more Derby trial stakes and a host of supporting opens including pups and seniors events.”

Trap draw for Tuesday’s final: 1 Amazing Wink, 2 Tommys Ranger, 3 Brynhall Respect, 4 Diamond Lisa, 5 Buttsys Blackie, 6 Thorn Falcon (w).