The Derby draw didn’t deliver many surprises – at least not until the end.
Thursday night's draw didn't produce too many clashes, although Graham Holland might feel like the gods conspired against him with a quarter of his team drawn together in heat six. The shortest-priced runner on the night, De Lahdedah, is currently trading at 25s.
Following the Friday night draw, you could almost hear the Kent curses ("I think I must have feckin' killed someone" in a Scottish accent). Derby favourite King Memphis and kennelmate Queen Joni – both railers – were drawn in black in their respective heats. Joni also faces the challenge of two Holland hotshots in Faypoint Sean and Clonbrien Treaty.
This unwelcome four-timer was preceded by fellow railer King Capaldi and followed by Queen Georgia.
The clash of the round, however, came in heat 31, where four of the top 20 in the betting were drawn together, including the two leading North East fancies, Wicky Ned and Links Maverick, taking on the Buckley star Superfast Gorden.
(Four to qualify from heats 11, 21, 24)