by BY RICHARD BIRCH , Racing Post

Blonde Dino

BLONDE DINO, third in the Blue Square Derby last summer, enjoyed a solo spin over Wimbledon's 256-metre hurdles course yesterday in preparation for a jumping campaign this year.

Having only his second public workout over hurdles after pleasing Ricky Holloway in a recent Henlow trial, the William Hill Steel City Cup and Boylesports Dundalk International winner clocked 16.73sec on going rated 30 slow.

The official comments for Blonde Dino were 'jumped high 2h, swerved 3h', but, considering it was his first jumps spin round the Plough Lane venue, it was a perfectly satisfactory beginning.

Holloway said: "I'm happy with that. That was only his second time over hurdles, and he'll improve.

He's got to get used to the Wimbledon hurdles, but the thing I liked about his performance was the way in which he had a low cut at them.

"He's a natural at home and loves jumping. In the short time he's been jumping at home he's been immaculate. However, it's been a bit of a rush to get him here and I seem him as more of a Grand National dog than a Springbok one.

"He'll definitely go for the Springbok, though. I had the choice of the Birmingham Cup or the Springbok, and I chose the Springbok. I might give Blonde Dino a run on the flat and then bring him back next Wednesday for the next trials session.

"I'd dearly love to win the Springbok a third time Rossa Ranger and Kaysers Hill his previous winners. To win it from my own kennel in my own name would be the icing on the cake."

Holloway added: "I also gave trials to Tullymurry Jolly clocked 29.20sec for 460 metre hurdles; going rated 60 slow for all fourbend trials, Tullymurry Koala 29.74sec and Sparksville 30.02sec for the Springbok.

"Tullymurry Jolly really impressed me today. He's gone from 29.56sec to 28.60sec in a quick space of time, so he's obviously improving fast. I've always rated him, and this competition has long been his target.

"I thought the hurdling today overall was of a high standard, and great credit is due to all those who have schooled dogs for the Springbok this year."

Goodview Blue, trained by Pat Thompson, emerged with the fastest time (28.99sec) from a long, busy session, while Freedom Man (29.15sec) and Baran Pedro (29.23sec) also performed well.

Nebuchadnezzar, who tops the current standings with 28.28sec, was beaten a neck in 29.78sec by Delwood Freddie, having been slow away and then crowded at the third bend when launching his challenge.

His trainer Lorraine Sams said: "As far as trials go, it was a bit messy, but it is all experience nonetheless.

"And I think the Wimbledon trackstaff deserve some praise for their efforts in ensuring trials went ahead. John Forster and his team took the hurdles down several times to put the tractor round, and while it was a slow track, it was a safe one."

Bomber Bailey, with a best time of 28.29sec to his credit, could finish only third in his trial to kennelmate Rockburst Mason, recording 29.56sec.

The Maxine Locketrained Love Mac hit the third hurdle so hard in his solo that he broke it, so a 29.35sec time reads well in the circumstances.

Kennelmate Little Boy, who has won flat opens over 575 metres at home track Romford, also shaped encouragingly in posting 29.07sec, jumping well apart from rapping both the third and fourth hurdles.

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