THE DOGS DERBY DESERVES BOOST

Jonathan Hobbs calls for Cheltenham-style focus in sport’s centenary year

- Jonathan Hobb

CHELTENHAM has always been Cheltenham, but there’s no question there’s been a change in attitude towards it in recent years.

Nowadays, once the runners have passed the post for the final race on the final day, it seems attention is focused on the following year’s Festival. You will read prices in this publication advising long-range tips and selections and every news story or race report about the jumps seems to mention Cheltenham and trainers’ plans or prospects for the four-day extravaganza to come some 12 months later.

It never used to be that. I was lucky enough to spend 28 years at the Racing Post - and I don’t recall that always being the case. But it’s definitely something that’s crept in in recent years - and you initially feel the RP was almost apologetic about it. Thankfully it’s not anymore - and rightly so. Cheltenham is a big deal, and some.

And it’s something I came away from Towcester on Star Sports & Orchestrate English Derby thinking about - and how maybe greyhound racing should buy into that attitude.

It’s difficult. There’s a host of major events between the Greyhound Derby and, er, the Greyhound Derby. There are a whole bunch of Classics and traditional showcase competitions which runners of every type get a chance to shine in - from sprinters, to six-bend performers, to British-bred and, yes, even hurdlers!

Incidentally, hats off once again to Star Pelaw for keeping that code alive - we need more to step up, however, and give the hurdlers a chance. They’re a great watch.

Anyway, back to the Derby, to the Derby - and all that’s between.