GREYHOUNDS: Triple tonic on song for Wills

7:59pm Friday 11th July 2008

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Champion trainer Ian Wills guided three hounds through to the semi-finals of the Tech Shop UK Maiden Derby in the opening heats on Tuesday.

Topping the lot was his recent Irish import Ballinahina Dini, making his debut at Sandy Lane.

Reported to have cost around £4,000, Dini soon collared Michael Peterson's qualifier, Malbay Rooney, from the second bend and powered home in good style to beat Mat The Rasher in 26.94.

Wills saw his Right So Sire and Ballybough Bird finish behind Slick Spirit in heat two to complete his treble hand in next Tuesday's semi-finals.

The competition, for runners who have yet to win an open race, provided a fascinating night's racing, albeit with a mixed bag of entries.

Favourite backers enjoyed a lean night with only one co-favourite obliging as the bookies filled their satchels.

RD Racing reported two bets of £1,000 at even money and plenty of cash for Wills's last winner, Ballinahina Dini.

Many of the semi-finalists will improve on their first race here, but those that stand out so far are Declans Lad (26.75), Spinning Warne (26.82), and Ballinahina Dini (26.94).

However, at this stage, I like the look of Paul Sallis's Bomber Blue, who finished with a rare late rattle behind Hulk Hogan.

Tuesday's semi-final draw: Ht 1: Lee Said So, Spinning Warne, Go On Glaws, Right So Sire, Kaykays Elite, Declans Lad. Ht 2: Drumna Heath, Whiteoak Iris, Carpark Elvis, Ballahina Dini, Ballybough Bird, Hulk Hogan. Ht 3: Bomber Blue, Lucky Plan, Mat The Rasher, Slick Spirit, Malbay Rooney, Ardagh Apple.