[bennythedip2]

20 APR 2014

My guess is two nights for the Derby first round (By Jim Cremin (rp)

PAUL HENNESSY was sitting downstairs at Wimbledon on Saturday night, filling in a pile of William Hill Derby entry forms. It looked like around half a dozen.

"I love this time of year," he said, "everything seems possible, and we're going to give it our best shot. You have to be in it to win it."

He will base his Derby team with Seamus Gaughan. Owen McKenna plans to enjoy B&B with Mark and Hayley Keightley.

Rachel Wheeler, whose Cork Laurels hero Lassa Expedition will be the subject of a Derby Countdown piece I will be filing for Monday's paper, is to stop with Chris Allsopp - after her dogs have trialled on Wednesday.

Those trainers who have expressed disappointment in not being able to secure last minute trials on Wednesday look set to be squeezed in - Gary Matthews, Wimbledon's RM, said on Saturday he was hopeful that he could juggle the bookings.

It is all a measure of the excitement surrounding the £200,000 William Hill Derby. How many entries will there be? It's going to be fairly big, but will three nights be needed (Thursday 1st, Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd May of the week after next?).

My gut feeling is a photo finish with Wimbledon keen to keep it to two nights (the Friday and Saturday) - the third night would cost them money, anathema to this extremely cost conscious management! We will see when the Classic closes to entries at noon on Wednesday.

Don't forget, completed entries forms only will be accepted, there will be no exceptions. The draw will be made next Sunday, April 27. I will attempt, as ever, to publish the heats on the net as they are pulled out. Guarding of owners now only applies to the opening two rounds - which seems a good compromise.

Julie Collier will be at Charlie Lister's kennels for reaction live that same Sunday night of the draw. It certainly wasn't easy for me to ring Charlie this Sunday morning to ask about Fear Emoski (pulled out from Hove on Thursday with a hairline hock fracture) and to also learn the news of Redbrick Stuart's injury - he misses the Derby. Let's hope the maestro now gets better luck.

Those first two Derby rounds are shown live on RPGTV - which will have recordings of the key trials from this Wednesday morning on that night's show.

Look out for the Saturday night trial stake action in Sunday's [tonight] RPGTV programme - which will also feature the semis from the Kirby Memorial at Limerick, the world's richest juvenile race.

Kate Miller, Hills PR director, says: "With RPGTV showing the opening two rounds, and the remainder of the Classic on both Sky and SIS, plus the wonderful coverage in the Racing Post and on the net, everyone has the chance to form their own view.


"This kind of prize-money level gives such a buzz to the sport, which is wonderful to see and the essence of buying a pup is dreaming about our Derby. We all do it . . . I know that I have done with my own bitch Hoof It Katie, who's trained by Seamus Cahill.

"My dad's dog Islas Scolari, a kennelmate and [Pin Point] Arc runner-up, will definitely be back for another tilt. He reached the quarter-finals last year. Dad [Hove bookie Charlie] is really well and enjoying life, which is what we have to aspire to. Hove of course is like home to me but he's also looking forward to coming along to Wimbledon, and even plans to join me on the RPGTV show this Friday night [April 25] before the Derby starts [a week later]. That will be different!

"I'm so looking forward to it all - Derby final night [Saturday May 31] is an unique occasion. I'm not old enough to remember White City but for me it's like going to a Cup Final, Melbourne Cup or Cheltenham. It's the pinnacle but what's different is that you don't have to be a big owner to get involved or spend huge money, the dream is accessible and affordable to all. That's what special about the William Hill Derby, it's something any person can get involved in, either as a punter or owner, and everyone has an opinion – it’s what makes betting and racing so engaging and exciting. I can't wait!"

*Wimbledon will be advertising for a replacement for John Simpson, who is switching to Romford on the retirement of Alison Ingram