GREYHOUND PREVIEW: We focus on Oxford and Romford on Friday, and Towcester on Sunday. All three tracks host big finals this weekend. Oxford on Friday have the final of the Puppy Cup, Romford on Friday have two finals, the (Coral) Maiden Vase and the (Coral) Essex Cup. At Towcester on Sunday it’s the final of The Stadium Bookmakers 2023 Blue Riband.
Finals Weekend Live on RPGTV
RPGTV will broadcast four finals this weekend with the main event being the final of the 2023 Blue Riband on Sunday from Towcester. On Friday evening Oxford have the final of the Bgbf British Bred Puppy Cup, and that card from Oxford will share the live Friday billing with Romford where they have the finals of the Maiden Trophy and the Essex Vase. Romford is first up with the final of the Maiden Trophy due off at 20:38, let’s take a look at the weekend action.
ROMFORD FRIDAY
Maiden Trophy Final (20:38)
A wide-open final as the betting suggests, Rapido Sabbath just heads the betting at 9/4 with Gunboat Wichia next in at 3/1. Sabbath took a flier from three last week and made all in a competition fastest time of 24:00 beating Droopys Chaser by over two lengths, Chaser looked a big danger around the final two bends but Rapido Sabbath kicked again and was a comfortable winner at the line. It’s hard to see how Droopys Chaser can reverse the form. Droopys Gambler was a wide margin winner of his semi last weekend and is incredibly fast from halfway, but he will need luck in the early part of the race. He got the better of the early paced Chelms Gask last time, Chelms Gask has some smart early pace but has been done no favours by the trap draw. Gunboat Wichita was another wide margin winner last weekend when he had over four lengths in hand on Icaal Frankie, Wichita had plenty go his way last time and I’m not convinced he has the early pace of some of his rivals. Its hard to get away from Rapido Sabbath, the youngster of the line up is improving with each start and should have the legs of his rivals in the early yards. Its hard to see him being picked up if he leads and he looks a likely winner if trapping well.
Essex Vase Final (20:54)
The ladies, Coolavanny Aunty and Queen Pink head the market for the final of the six bend Essex Vase Final. Just over five lengths separate the entire field on last weeks running so the margin for error is extremely small. The lead is crucial, but the problem for punters in this minefield is that all six runners have race comments “Quickly Away, Always Led” in previous six bends outings. Its impossible to predict who will make a fast start this weekend. Aayamza Magic is a tentative selection. He was the fastest of the semi final winners when coming from off the pace, he can break much better from trap three and is the only dog in against five bitches. With a fast start he should take all the beating.
OXFORD FRIDAY
Bgbf Puppy Cup Final Oxford (20:43)
Romeo Atomic has been the standout performer of this event since the start. Winning his last two starts at odds of 1/7. The son of Romeo Recruit is looking to make it ten wins from twelve career outings. Its worth noting that both Jaffa and Watchall Sid went faster than Romeo Atomic in the semi-finals last weekend, and he will need to step up on that effort. Watchall Sid for me rates the main danger. He flew to the corner last weekend after a moderate start and may be the one to chase the favourite home. It’s hard to get away form Romeo Atomic, he has some terrific form around here and has the early pace to race clear.
TOWCESTER SUNDAY
Blue Riband Final at Towcester (15:28)
1. Mr Chelm
2. Signet Otis
3. Deelish Frankie
4. Hopes Paddington
5. Antigua Bigun
6. Frostys Ten
A cracking final in store. Mr Chelm is slowly returning to the form that saw him reach the final of last year’s Derby around here. He ran well when conceding first run to Deelish Frankie last weekend but must hold the inside in the early yards if he is to feature.
Signet Otis has massive early pace and may well be suited by the draw, again it’s imperative he can lead Mr Chelm to the corner for win purposes. Deelish Frankie wouldn’t have the natural early pace of the inside duo but he can certainly hit the lids running as he showed last week.
Similar comments apply to Hopes Paddington in four, he wouldn’t seem to have the early pace to clear Mr Chelm and Signet Otis, but he has flown from traps twice in recent weeks. Don’t expect Antigua Bigun or Frostys Ten to be on the premises early but both will be finishing fast late in the day. Mr Chelm has improved in recent weeks but trap one around Towcester is not always ideal. Signet Otis has some fine early pace on his day and hopefully he can make one of his better breaks on Sunday.
At 6/1 Signet Otis looks real value, if he can hold Mr Chelm early he should have to much pace for Hopes Paddington and Deelish Frankie on the run to the bend. It’s a tricky race for punters to solve, but the inside duo have good early boot and may find themselves prominent as they race down the far side. I will just side with Signet Otis to make all but would not put anyone off Mr Chelm.
Weekend’s Best Bets
Romford Friday
20:38: Rapido Sabbath. One unit win.
