GREYHOUND PREVIEW: A look back at Hopes Paddington’s win in the 2023 Blue Riband Final from Towcester and ahead to the first round of the Golden Jacket from Crayford on Saturday morning. PLUS: Friday night at Romford where it’s the semi-finals of the Friday Night Bonanza and at Shelbourne Park on Saturday where it’s the first round of the 2023 Gold Cup.
Classic Action Returns to Shelbourne Park
The first Irish Classic of the season gets underway at Shelbourne Park this Saturday night when the Paddy Kehoe sponsored Gold Cup gets underway. As you would expect it has attracted some of Ireland’s top trackers headed by last year’s Irish Derby champion Born Warrior, who has his first outing since that thrilling triumph back in September.
Other notable entries are Winter Racing Festival winner and brother of Born Warrior, The Other Kobe. In the first heat Another Holiday returns to action for Michael O’Donovan, he faces Pat Buckley’s Stream Of Sydney and Marie Gilberts Rathdown Molly in a red-hot opener. Kilgraney Sydney and the aforementioned The Other Kobe are the standout performers in heat three. Juvenile Derby winner Clona Duke has a good draw outside Flaminmoneybags in heat four. The final of the Gold Cup is due to be run on Feb 25th and will be shown live on RPGTV.
No Hope for Paddington’s Rivals
Hopes Paddington ran out an impressive winner of the 2023 Blue Riband Final from Towcester on Sunday afternoon. After a very level start with the exception of Frostys Ten who missed the kick it was Hopes Paddington who showed superior early to lead his rivals into the first turn. Mr Chelm went up well from trap one but ran off the first bend in turn doing his rivals no favours. The race was as good as over at this stage as Hopes Paddington set off down the far side with a five length lead over Mr Chelm with Antigua Bigun back in third. Keeping up a strong gallop all the way to the line Paddington came home almost five lengths clear of Antigua Bigun back in second place. The winning time was a slick 29:15.
Golden Jacket at Crayford
The first round of The Premier Greyhound Racing Golden Jacket takes place on Crayford’s early morning card on Saturday with the first heat due off at 11:09. Outright betting for the event is wide open with Bellmore Sally currently heading the market at 6/1. At this stage I like a couple of dogs at fair prices outright, Low Pressure (10s) and Roll On Sydney (25s). Low Pressure’s trial at the track was well above average and he has been mixing it in better company of late. He goes in heat four due off at 12:09. It’s certainly one of the stronger heats featuring ante post favourite Bellmore Sally and recent Shelbourne Marathon winner Garfiney Legend who has his first run for new connections following a big money move to the UK. If breaking well he should be able to lead early. Roll On Sydney goes in the first of the six heats at 11:09. A debut winner in Ireland by 17 lengths he has always looked as though the step up in trip would suit. He did plenty wrong when winning over this trip last time out and has huge scope for improvement. At 25/1 for outright glory, he represents real value.
Friday Night at Romford
The highlight of Romford’s RPGTV card is undoubtedly the semi-finals of The Friday Night Bonanza 400. The first semi is due off at 20:38. Annadown King and Billis Blazer look the ones to focus on in this. Billis Blazer put in a career best when winning last week and a repeat would surely suffice. He won’t be two until March and has scope for more improvement. Annadown King was another to run well last weekend despite suffering defeat. He can fly to the corner on occasions and is much better when able to dictate. At the prices Annadown King looks the value and I’ll side with him to take the first semi-final.
The second heat features some real old favourites headed by Droopys Good in trap one. Personally, I think he may break better from the middle boxes but he is unbeaten around Romford from the red jacket winning all three times he has raced from the inside box. He is obviously a big danger. Hawkfield Mia will be all the rage in the market after two stunning wins around here in recent weeks. Zooms and Theresas Pet are well capable of making all and it would be foolish to ignore Moorstown Victor and Antigua Socks. It’s a cracking heat but also a punters minefield!.
Weekend’s Best Bets
Crayford Golden Jacket Outright.
Low Pressure: one unit E/W 10/1.
¼ Odds 1-2-3-4
Roll On Sydney: one unit E/W 25/1.
¼ Odds 1-2-3-4
