Northern Flat next up for Droopys Bookem

Newcastle on Droopy Bookem's rader

A tilt at the Time Greyhound Nutrition Northern Flat at Newcastle is next on the agenda for Droopys Bookem.

Tom Heilbron’s dog made a big impression during the Star Sports/TRC Greyhound Derby at Towcester, winning a second-round heat on his way to finishing fourth in the semi-finals.

Droopys Bookem only missed out on a place in the final by three-quarters of a length, and he didn’t get a clear run in a supporting contest on Derby final night.

Heilbron reported his charge to have come out of the race well at the weekend and he is looking forward to what comes next.

“You could tell he’d had a race for the first time during the Derby meeting,” said Heilbron.

“He put a lot in on Saturday but he’s recovered well which is the main thing. He’s happy, sound and well.

“The plan is to take him to Newcastle for a trial next week ahead of a crack at the Northern Flat.

“After that, with the way he has been running, the logical next step would be to look at six bends, so we’re probably going to go to Monmore for the Ladbrokes Summer Stayers Classic.

“That’s probably the right place to step him up, as it’s one of the shorter six-bend trips, so we’ll give him a look round there and see if he does stay.”

When asked about if he’s excited about the future with Droopys Bookem, Heilbron added: “Without a doubt. He proved he’s a proper competition dog.

“He maybe lacked a yard to the turn with those sort of Derby dogs, but they’re the best of the best and I think we’ll have a lot of fun with him.

“The obvious aim would be to get him back to Towcester next year. If he’s fit and well, then hopefully we’ll have another go at the Derby. 

“He’ll be a bit more of an experienced dog and there’s no reason he couldn’t go through a good few rounds again.”

Another from Link Kennels to impress at Towcester was Deliveroo, who contested the final of the PricedUp.Bet Derby Plate on Saturday.

Heilbron isn’t convinced that his dog really took to Towcester and he will also head to Newcastle next.

The trained continued: “He’ll be going to the same competition – he’ll trial next week for the Northern Flat.

“We’ll probably give him a bit of a break after that because he’s had a tough campaign and has been on the go since the early part of the year.

“Towcester probably wasn’t his track and he did very well to get to the Derby Plate final, as well as through a few rounds of the Derby, but it doesn’t play to his strengths.

“We know he likes Newcastle. That’s where he seems to want to be, so we’ll go back there.”