Coolavanny Bert blows hot in a cold Henlow Puppy final

Coolavanny Bert

On a bitterly cold night at Henlow, Coolavanny Bert warmed the cockles of all in attendance.

Racing was severely affected by the freezing conditions that engulfed Bedfordshire with the temperature dropping around the -5 mark. The rescheduling included moving forward the big race on the card - the Henlow Puppy Derby – forward an hour and half. That mattered little to the outcome of the final however, as Kelly Findlay’s charge enhanced his Derby claims by sauntering clear by five lengths in a time of 27.93secs.

In his usual leisurely style from the boxes, he didn’t trap in front but made up the ground on the run to the first bend and stole a length and a half march on rivals. What makes the dog a real special one though is his pace he shows from the second to third bend. Two, three, four, five went the distance between him and his rivals and he continued the strong gallop right to the line. Droopys Stevie followed him home with Benkat Blue a never nearer third.

Owner John Gardner was frozen as he was handed the trophy on the winner’s podium but was only had warm words for his star performer.

“He’s a great dog to own, onwards and upwards from now,” he told Sky Sports.

"He’s got a lot of early boot and he’ll be suited by Wimbledon – we’ll look forward to the Derby now.”

His next appointment according to Findlay will be the Racing Post Juvenile at Wimbledon before being targeted for the Derby. The Bettor.com Scottish Derby was ruled out however.

“He could be anything,” said Findlay.

“There’s certainly more improvement to come from him as he strengthens up as he’s a very big boned dog. We all knew if we had trap one it would make things easier but he’s still got to come out and do it, and he’s done a good run.”

Delwood Robbo played the supporting role to the new superstar in the opening race. He may be approaching veteran status but still showed he can cut the mustard at open race level, especially at his home track. This latest victory was his 27th at Henlow and the 41st time he had made the first two at the Bedfordshire track.

He pinged out from trap three and never saw another rival on the near frozen Henlow surface, pulling four lengths clear of eventual second Pittsburgh Glory at the line.

Lewis Jones

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