LATE KNOCKOUT FROM BRUNO IN BRANDYWELL DERBY

Peter Farrell

It was one of the biggest nights of the year at the Brandywell Greyhound Stadium in Derry last night as the final of the Len McKinney & Track Lotto Brandywell Derby took centre stage and Tuttles Bruno emerged a worthy winner for Michael and Rory Stewart.

In what proved an extremely competitive competition from the outset, the betting was wide-open heading into the decider and despite opening at odds of 5/4, Shesanicelady went to traps as the drifting 2/1 favourite to get back to winning ways. A trap one specialist, Aiden Cullen’s bitch was once again paw-perfect at traprise and she was given the freedom of Derry on the run-up to comfortably lead the field. In behind, there were traffic problems aplenty but despite shipping a bump, the strong-running Tuttles Bruno, who was available at a generous 4/1, nestled into a good position entering the back and was always going to prove a big rival thereafter. Shesanicelady continued to set a blistering pace down the back straight, however, Tuttles Bruno was breezing past his rivals at this point and the writing looked well and truly on the wall rounding the bottom two bends. That said, Shesanicelady stuck to her guns brilliantly and just narrowly failed to hold the power-packed finish of Tuttles Bruno, who did some serious running to build on his fine semi final victory. Crossing the line in tandem, the striking fawn son of Good News and Tuttles Twilight got the nod, in a brilliant time of 28.96. For those unfamiliar with the Derry circuit, which is widely regarded as one of the best 525-yard contests around, very few dip under 29-seconds so as such, it was fitting end to what was an excellent competition throughout.