Editor / 30 May 2009 Free Bet

Wimbledon has dominated the open-race scene of late, but the Derby will soon (sadly) be a distant memory.

After Derby final night, the mantle will pass to Belle Vue which is running the Scurry and Cock O'The North concurrently. The finals of both events share centre-stage on a Sky night on Tuesday week.

The pick of those who raced in an all-open card at the Manchester track on Thursday were track-record breaker Pennylane Flash and fastest six-bend performer Hurleys Hero.

However, one or two dogs might slip through the radar.

They are Freedom Obama, who didn't quite handle the boxes this time but did show good pace in the heat won by Matts Mentor, while Blonde Alonso threw away a winning opportunity by running wide off the first bend. Can do better second time round, we say!

Over six bends, look out for an improved show from Lucern Less, who recovered quickly after taking a whack early, while Giddyup Boy looked in danger of elimination after a trouble-marred heat run. He can also do better come the semi-finals next week.

Win or lose in Saturday's Derby Plate final, Raving Black is worth keeping tabs with. He closed in on winner Kryptonite in good style in the heats and, while most of his four-bend rivals will have too many fireworks early on, he could be running into form.

Mountjoy Ruby is another who might be running into some sort of form. He missed out on a place in the Plate final behind Ninja Jamie but showed some good dash to run the favourite close for two bends and in lesser company can bolt him again.

Boherna Best really did have no luck at Wimbledon but remains a fast dog and a competition win in 2009 is surely on the cards, but the dog who beat him at the weekend Head Iton Ellis is top drawer, especially with a break.

And while the likes of Platinumlancelot and The Other Outlaw took their chances well in the Champion Hurdle, Bomber Bailey was an unnatural loser and will bounce back soon.

Time will tell whether Forest Tyson will progress in a hurdler of repute. His debut over the sticks was very impressive and he went well clear to the pick-up in his heat
Cabra Boss was unlucky not to make the Derby final and will look for compensation on the consolation final.

Punchie and Lodge Magic both won their hurdles events at Sittingbourne on Thursday in good style after showing fair pace in their Champion Hurdle heats at Wimbledon.

A step back up in class might not halt their progress.