GREYHOUNDS: No joy for Peterborough trainer in the big Fengate final

Holdem Rio won last night's Puppy Derby at Fengate.

The Turves trainer’s Derby finalist Ballymac McCole failed to make the most of a favourable trap one draw and instead got tangled up with Savana Lord during a tough first bend which quickly ended the two dogs’ Derby dreams.

However, there were no such problems for 7/2 shot Holdem Rio who produced a magical performance from trap three to win the £8,500 prize live on Sky Sports.

The Towcester-based dog burst from the traps and got his nose in front heading into the all-important tight first bend.

It was a lead that the Heather Dimmock-trained hound refused to lose despite the best efforts of odds-on favourite Newinn Shadow in the orange jacket. Newcastle dog Droopys Country was best of the rest in what was the stadium’s most valuable race for three years.

It was a successful night for Wisbech trainer Roger York, who emerged victorious in the prestigious Underground Greyhounds Sprint Trophy final.

Rahyvira River made the most of a clean inside run from trap one to get the better of Devenish-trained dog Mac Foiche to land the £2,000 prize.

The Puppy Derby final brought the curtain down on three enthralling weeks of Derby action and deputy head of racing operations Debbie Pruhs is hopeful of securing the derby a swift return next year.

She said: “It has been great having the derby back at the stadium and now I am confident that with the right sponsorship we can build on this momentum next year.

“We have seen some racing of the highest quality at the track over the past few weeks and I would like to thank everyone at the stadium who have ensured the event’s successful return.

“I urge any sponsors who are already thinking about getting involved with the event next year to get in touch so we can go one better than this year.”

William Hill and Underground Racing Peterborough Puppy Derby Final Result

1st: T3: Holdem Rio (26.24)

2nd: T5: Newinn Shadow

3rd: T6: Droopys Country

Underground Greyhounds Sprint Trophy Result

1st: T1: Rahyvira River (15:01)

2nd: T6: Mac Foiche

3rd: T2: Pennys Honey