Head-to-Head: Wallis vs. McNair at Towcester
The battle for the Trainers Championship this year is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent memory, with Mark Wallis and Liz McNair going head-to-head at Towcester.
Mark Wallis, a 14-time champion, has recently reclaimed the top spot thanks to Category One wins from Coonough Crow (Kent St. Leger) and New Destiny (Coronation Cup), giving him a slim 19-point lead.
In contrast, Liz McNair, whose kennel is smaller, has never seriously challenged for the top spot before. However, the Imperial Kennels' switch to a private ownership model (MWD Partnership) and the emergence of two exceptional litters from the KSS Syndicate have significantly closed the gap.
Both trainers have strong representation in Saturday’s gala card at Towcester. Each has runners in the Star Sports/TRC Derby semi-finals, although with contrasting odds: McNair’s King Memphis is the 9/4 Derby favorite, while Wallis’s Whyaye Man is a 66/1 long shot.
Wallis’s team dominates the Mark Siddall Prime Beef 712m, fielding Category One winners Garfiney Blaze and Coonough Crow against Three Steps winner Queen Georgia, who set a new track record in Sunday’s heats.
McNair’s kennel holds a 3-1 advantage in the Truframe-sponsored BGBF Champion Stakes and has the favourite for the Derby Plate in Queen Joni.
DERBY
- 9/4 King Memphis
- 5/2 Boylesports Bob
- 5/1 De Lahdedah
- 11/2 The Other Kobe
- 12/1 Ballymac Slick
- 18/1 Churchfield Syd
- 20/1 Gaytime Nemo
- 28/1 Droopys Pivotel
- 45/1 Ballymac Gizmo
- 50/1 Coss Tokyo
- 66/1 Edwards
- 66/1 Whyaye Man
Hope Jeal Sprint
- 7/2 Aero Sacundi
- 7/2 Bombout Bullet
- 7/2 Not So Slow
- 10/1 Bettys Jack
- 10/1 Kila Detail
- 10/1 Westfield Bullet
- 12/1 Romeo To Victory
- 14/1 Mustang Ojay
- 28/1 Salacres Buzz
- 40/1 Ballintemple Dan
- 50/1 Droopys Rarity
- 80/1 Crystal Countess
Derby Plate
- 11/8 Queen Joni
- 4/1 Faypoint Harvey
- 8/1 Glengar Martha
- 9/1 Faypoint Susie
- 12/1 Jaytee Etienne
- 18/1 Druids All Go
- 20/1 Kilara Roberto
- 22/1 Clona Curly
- 28/1 Newinn Port
- 33/1 Miracle
- 66/1 Aero Convey
- 66/1 Wrighty
BGBF Champion Stakes
- 4/1 Romeo Command
- 9/2 King Sydney
- 5/1 King Combs
- 5/1 Rioja Bungle
- 6/1 Never Say No
- 12/1 Fabulous Sonique
- 12/1 Greenwell Coe
- 12/1 Queen Dusty
- 20/1 Coppice Ella
- 25/1 Keefill Goose
- 33/1 Romeo Hotshot
- 33/1 Wolf Moon
Greyhound Trader Stakes
- 7/2 Savana Top Cat
- 7/1 Gary The Arb
- 8/1 Droopys Rosie
- 8/1 Vixons Filofax
- 10/1 Emmybell Boy
- 10/1 Salacres Blake
- 10/1 Uncle Freddie
- 12/1 Ballymac Madgie
- 25/1 Arthur Cucumber
- 28/1 Beatties Electra
- 33/1 Arb Park Ranger
- 33/1 Noduff Sahara
Siddall Memorial
- 13/8 Garfiney Blaze
- 9/4 Queen Georgia
- 4/1 Coonough Crow
- 14/1 Fabulous Dyna
- 14/1 Savana Heross
- 16/1 Savana Jackpot
- 25/1 Haka Carlo
- 28/1 Alright Gordy
- 40/1 Alright Patricia
- 40/1 Magical Luna
- 50/1 Lightfoot Falcon
- 80/1 Fabulous Aurora