TV TROPHY HEATS: Monmore stages heats of one of the great competitions tonight with the Ladbrokes TV Trophy.

A former staple of BBC’s Sportsnight programmes back in the day – in the days of Scurlogue Champ, of course – the event is back to its original nomadic ways with Hove hosting the TV Trophy last year and Monmore this year.

Aayamza Royale, the reigning Greyhound of the Year, is outright favourite to win and bettered her own track record over C&D last week. She won the TV Trophy at Hove last year so is also aiming to become a rare double winner.

Three heats of the TV Trophy spice the card at the Wolverhampton card but other competitions and one-offs make it a must-watch for greyhound fans on RPGTV/SportyStuff TV tonight. As for fancies across the card, well read on!

Monmore Saturday

6.17: The night kicks off with heats of a bitches’ comp where Kevin Hutton’s Lights Out catches the eye. She ran in a tougher contest last week without any luck and, a strong runner, could reel in speedsters Droopys Dishy and Droopys Manor if turning handy.

Play: Lights Out

6.33: Lots of early pace here but a rails pitch for Holdem Lauren might again see Carol Weatherall’s bitch escape. She posted a good clock last week against Black Eyed Molly et al and, if anything, can improve after a recent spell off. Galloping Moon finishes fast.

Play: Holdem Lauren

6.48: A decent sprint now where the inside traps could hold sway. Preference is for Newcastle raider Sams Elle with Carl Jackson’s bitch likely to out-trap top local Final Moon against the fence. The blue-boxed runner is on a roll and the hat-trick might be landed.

Play: Sams Elle

7.07: Heat two of the sprint and a great clash between leading local speedsters Skipalong Sarge and Headford Buzz. The latter gets the vote for the Kevin Hutton kennel on his trapping ability and scope for better still. A best time of 15.26 also catches the eye.

Play: Headford Buzz

7.44: It has to be Aayamza Royale, albeit at cramped odds in this TV Trophy heat. Three Ems at her best could make a race of it, but Mark Wallis’s bitch is coming to the fore nicely after a couple of recent reverses and broke her own track record over this 900m trip latest.

Play: Aayamza Royale

8.03: Another TV Trophy heat and another short-priced favourite, but Savana Volcano looks an improving marathon star and beat Aayamza Royale no less when they last met. She’s a real powerhouse. Droopys Jungle is interesting up in trip and due respect.

Play: Savana Volcano

8.23: Heat three of the TV Trophy and the Kevin Hutton-trained Southfield Code looks to be drawn for a big run outside. He won well at Hove over 740m and was not stopping in front so could get away from the likes of Our Supreme Sue and Bubbly Cristal.

Play: Southfield Code

8.43: Heat one of a 480m comp now and Signet Ace could be another win for Team Hutton. He’s a fast sort off the front and that looks possible here, although mistakes can be ill-afforded in a competitive affair. Strategic Lesson will be running on strongly as usual.

Play: Signet Ace

9.02: This heat two of the 480m event looks a match between Coolavanny Kyser and Bubbly Bollinger. The former will be fancied to make all by many, but the value might lie with Paul Young’s Romford raider who trialled well and is a powerful sort.

Play: Bubbly Bollinger

9.18: Magical Arrow and Elderberry Sky are both top-notch performers and easily capable of winning this. However Droopys Dime ran well despite trouble when winning last week and could get first run on her chief rivals and shine for the Hutton camp in the last.

Play: Droopys Dime

Good luck all.

@Hobbsy67