JONATHAN HOBBS: Greyhound racing’s busy period continues with another high-class meeting at Monmore tonight with a major double-header in the shape of the Ladbrokes Puppy Derby and Ladbrokes Winter Derby finals.
All the action is on SportyStuff TV/RPGTV (Channel 437) and there is added interest in the form of golfer Lee Westwood part-owning one of the puppy finalists in fast-finishing semi-final winner Dannid. He owns the Matt Dartnall-trained youngster along with Andrea Wylie.
Four finals grace the card at Monmore over a variety of distances with a 900m marathon spicing the programme – and it’s an absolute cracker featuring Greyhound of the Year Aayamza Royale and a host of top staying performers.
Eyes down then for some Saturday fun.
Monmore Saturday
6.17: Blastoff Mason led into the home-straight in the semi-finals of the Puppy Derby and Seamus Cahill’s dog might again set the tempo. The draw in the black jacket should suit given Music Tomy Ears will edge inwards early doors, paving the way potentially.
Play: Blastoff Mason
6.33: A cracking sprint event now. Good to see Ballymac Micko back on track, although clearing top local Kelseys Phoenix will not be easy. In turn Paul Sallis’s dog needs to out-gun Knocknaseed Gem next door, but his recent efforts in defeat have been eye-catching.
Play: Kelseys Phoenix
6.43: A brilliant marathon one-off now – easily the best eight-bend race we’ve had this year. Aayamza Royale is the Greyhound of the Year who will relish this test and is probably the most likely winner. However Micks Little Gem looks in great heart at Crayford, while Savana Prosecco and Savana Volcano are both improvers. But might Affirmed get first run for Pat Doocey? This trip will suit more than 630m last week.
Play: Affirmed
7.07: The first of tonight’s finals and Bubbly Dave made an encouraging comeback last week and improvement after such a long layoff is more likely than not. A good make-up here helps, given Ivy High Skyhigh might pace up but will definitely head inwards.
Play: Bubbly Dave
7.24: The major final tonight is the £12,500 Ladbrokes Puppy Derby Final, a really competitive affair with a host of chances – in fact a case can be made for all six! However, take Deelish Hero to run a huge race here off the front if breaking as he has, although might that play into the paws of the powerful Dartnall-trained Dannid. The latter produced a flying finish in the semis last week and same again could do the trick if they crowd inside.
Play: Dannid
7.44: Another fantastically competitive final, this time an all-aged one over 480m. Preference is for the well-drawn Lightfoot Ripley (7.44) given Jimmy Fenwick’s dog has lots of early dash and might escape the pack if edging his rivals into the bend.
Play: Lightfoot Ripley
8.03: The Ladbrokes Winter Derby Final now and Liz McNair has a huge hand given three finalists – headed by Produce Stakes winner Queen Jessiej. A finalist in last year’s Puppy Derby and Gold Cup, both at Monmore, she deserves a big-race victory at the Wolverhampton venue and won a brilliant semi-final last week. Key will be handling the well-drawn and terrific early pacer Coolavanny Kyser against the fence.
Play: Queen Jessiej
8.23: Another solid contest where Aayamza Lexie could scoot clear inside – if breaking. She finished second in the Peter Bussey at Crayford last week for Mark Wallis and is clearly in good heart, although improving Magical Ezra, Waikiki Bullet and Velvet Juliet are all respected.
Play: Aayamza Lexie
Good luck all.
@Hobbsy 67
