Hennessy blow as Tank misses Derby final date

Eddie will still represent Irish handler in Classic decider

LENNIES TANK is out of the Star Sports & Orchestrate Ltd. English Greyhound Derby Final.

Paul Hennessy's runner pulled up lame after a home gallop and has been withdrawn from Saturday's £125,000 showdown where he was one of two finalists for the Co. Kilkenny-based two-time English Derby-winning trainer who will still be represented by Lennies Eddie.

"It's disappointing but I knew something wasn't right at the end of what was a routine gallop," said Hennessy, who made contact with Lee Craze, owner of both Lennies Tank and Lennies Eddie, to break the news.

"It's not a call you like to make or to receive just four days before a Derby final but we both understand it can happen and the greyhound absolutely comes first in these situations.

"We are fortunate enough to still have Eddie in the final and are looking forward to Saturday.

"As Susan (Hennessy, wife) said at the Derby lunch on Monday we are delighted and proud to be involved in another English Derby final and, while today has been a bump in the road, Saturday cannot come round quick enough for us all."

Lennies Tank, runner-up in this year's Easter Cup at Shelbourne and a semi-finalist last year in the Irish Sprint Cup at Dundalk, had been in line, along with his kennelmate, of aiming to land the Hennessys an historic third English Derby after wins for Jaytee Jet at Wimbledon in 2016 and Priceless Blake at Nottingham in 2019.

Lennies Tank would have lined up as the sole wide seed and most experienced finalist.

Trap six will now be vacant in the final, due off at 9.18pm on Saturday, and broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing and on the Premier Greyhound Racing service.

Doors open at Towcester at 3pm on what is 'Double Derby Day'.

The Betfred Derby is staged the same afternoon and the action from Epsom will be screened on TV screens at Towcester.