JONATHAN HOBBS: Another top-class weekend of greyhound action kicks off with the semi-finals of the Coral Golden Sprint at Romford tonight.
As ever at the London Road venue, the action will be fast and furious. The three semi-finals aside, there’s a top supporting card for those at the track or watching on RPGTV (Channel 175) to enjoy.
Then tomorrow it’s the start of the RPGTV Steel City Cup at Sheffield and the Ladbrokes Puppy Derby at Monmore, but let’s start with Romford and those three cracking contests for the Coral Golden Sprint semis.
Romford
8.38: Such was Magical Houdini’s impressive display in the heats last week that Belinda Green’s dog must be fancied to follow up. The break is crucial but he likes the midfield slot at Romford and timewise has the edge. That said any mistakes and Seaglass Shadow (Yvonne Gaskin) will need no second invitation – she’s a terrific early pacer herself. Forest Jason (Julie Bateson) is a powerful and classy sort but needs a good break and a handy position early.
Play: Magical Houdini 3-5-2
8.53: Ballymac Micko could get back on track with a smash break. He was out-gunned by Melodys Secret last week, but Jim Reynolds’ runner is far better seen when dominating herself. He looks well pitched here given Swift Biscuit (John Mullins) is drawn outside him, while Elderberry Sky (Pat Cowdrill) next door could take a step to the left and pose problems for Goldies Hoddle (Patrick Janssens). Kenton Ten (Mark Fenwick) showed good pace last week – note a Central Park handslip in midweek.
Play: Ballymac Micko 4-5-6
9.08: Supporters of Kevin Hutton’s Badminton Donal will be hoping he bounces back – and there’s every chance of that judged on a 23.91sec win last month here. However, getting by Melodys Secret (Spencer Mavrias) and General James (June Harvey) might not be easy – unless he ping-starts. Of course, so could Melodys Secret and General James – so might the latter be the value in that case? Last week’s run was his first at Romford and this Hove sprint winner has decent speed. Tiffield Blueboy powers home.
Play: General James 3-5-1
The rest of the card is again decent with heats of both a BGBF British Bred Maiden competition and a Romford Friday Night 500 Stayers event – best here looks to be in-form Essex Vase heroine Droopys Aoife (9.26), well-drawn Swift Tarquin (9.41) and likely leader Velvet Matilda (9.56).
Other fancies on the card are early-paced Braesboy (7.17), improving-after-a-break Seaglass Celine (7.33), the unlucky-last-week Schooldays (10.13) and consistent and classy Affleck Bolt (10.30).
Good luck everyone.
Did you know that as well as checking the realtime prices on BETDAQ below – you can also log into your account and place your bets directly into BETDAQ from BETDAQ TIPS.
