Storm clocks in at Valley, now evens for Welsh Derby victory

FACE THE STORM is quoted at evens by the sponsor for next weekend's £5,000 Star Sports Welsh Derby final after his stunning track record in Saturday's second semi-final over 460m at Valley.

Having come from last to first to land his heat, the writing was on the wall for the rivals of Mike Burton's dog when the 5/6 favourite cracked out of trap five to lead up and he proceeded to gallop the field into submission.

His advantage was some three lengths entering the back straight but he extended it with every stride from the third bend onwards, eventually scoring by seven and a half from Simpson Sniper in 27.65sec.

That represents an improvement of two spots on the previous best for the trip set by Marlfield Diaz in October last year.

Earlier, Dave Hunt's Sawpit Signature (11/8F) had outstayed long-time leader Gwyn Luka to take the opening semi in 28.14sec, while Donna Davy's Fastlane George (4/1) did likewise to Hoholetsgo in clocking 28.61sec in the third.

Star Sports (Welsh Derby, final Valley Saturday): T1 Simpson Sniper 6-1, T2 Hoholetsgo 8-1, T3 Sawpit Signature 3-1, T4 Gwyn Luka 6-1, T5 Fastlane George 11-2, T6 Face The Storm evens.