Although the sport of greyhound racing has fallen on hard times in Wales, one trainer from Merthyr Tydfil remains ‘in the Hunt’ for the sport’s richest prize.
Nathan Hunt, who also happens to be one of the youngest trainers in greyhound racing at 28, is expected to have a number of entries into the English Greyhound Derby this May – and that includes Category One winners.
The Derby, held at Towcester Racecourse each year, boasts a champion’s prize of £175,000 – making it by and far away the most prestigious renewal in greyhound racing.
Competition for the title and the cheque will be, as ever, fierce, but Welshman Hunt has a couple of dogs to his name that could challenge for the ultimate honour.
Droopys On the Up
The pick of Hunt’s dogs is arguably Droopys Fidget, who has been installed as a 40/1 chance in the greyhound odds for the English Derby behind market favourites Fromposttopillar (8/1), Ballinabola Ed (16/1) and Romeo Command (16/1).
The two-year-old, part of a dynasty of Droopys-named greyhounds, has been on an outstanding winning streak in 2023 so far, triumphing in ten of her fourteen starts.
And one of those provided Hunt with his first Category One victory, which is the top-tier of UK greyhound racing. Droopys Fidget was the fastest on the day in the Steel City Puppy Derby Final in Sheffield earlier in April, which sets the dog up perfectly for a tilt at the English Greyhound Derby next month.
Droopys Fidget wins the Steel City Puppy Derby and records the fastest time of the year 29:35
Congratulations to @NHunt67 and owners Mr P Allen & Mr J W Gibson pic.twitter.com/3yXniDkuPp
— Owlerton Racing (@OwlertonRacing) April 15, 2023
Hunt, who now splits his time between dual roles at Monmore Green in Wolverhampton and Romford having taken over the reins of former trainer Phil Simmonds, was delighted with the win, describing Droopys Fidget’s performance in the Sheffield final as ‘faultless’.
A lot can change in a relatively short amount of time in greyhound racing, but all things being equal Droopys Fidget will head to Towcester for English Derby qualifying – and she may just reward Hunt with a shot at the sport’s biggest payday.
Mob Handed
While Droopys Fidget will be amongst Hunt’s hopes, he has a number of other dogs that are likely to head for Derby qualifying.
Antigua Sugar has put in some speedy times since switching to Hunt’s tutelage, with a victory at Romford last time out coming against kennel-mate Doghouse Dazzler. She also won the Peter Bussey Memorial Trophy under former trainer Mark Wallis, so odds of 66/1 chance for the English Derby may just appeal to some.
Antigua Big Syd is another who could contend at Towcester after putting in some fine trial performances – including victory on home soil at Monmore earlier this month.
‘Paddy’ Hopes Paddington with a very smart trial at Monmore before racing last night – 15.08 for the 264m 🚀 as he continues his preparations for the star sports English derby! pic.twitter.com/3qJLoQ5psc
— Nathan Hunt (@NHunt67) April 23, 2023
But perhaps the jewel in Hunt’s crown is Hopes Paddington, another dog that has been switched from the Wallis kennels. He has been in sparkling form this year, with wins at Towcester to his name – that is eye-catching indeed ahead of a return to the track for the Derby next month.
A 16/1 chance to win greyhound racing’s biggest prize, could Welshman Hunt be heading for the big time courtesy of Hopes Paddington or any of his other charges?
