GREYHOUND PREVIEW: Barry previews the pick of the weekend action including final of the TV Trophy on Saturday morning and the semi-finals of the KAB Maiden Derby from Towcester on Sunday.
Sally Seeking TV Trophy Final glory (Sat)
Bellmore Sally will be a warm favorite to win this weekend’s TV Trophy at Crayford and add to her impressive tally of big race victories at the Kent track. Already a dual winner of the Golden Jacket at this venue Jimmy Fenwick’s daughter of Droopys Sydney will be fancied by many to land the £15,000 first prize after impressing in her semi-final victory. Sally has plenty in hand on the clock over her rivals and should master the early paced Queen Pink on the first circuit. Her biggest threat will come from the fast finishing pair of Ower Smasher and A Mystical Love, both came from well off the pace to win their respective semi-finals last weekend however, Crayford is usually a front runners track and the big finishing duo will find it hard to reel in a bitch of Bellmore Sallys quality.
The Champion Hurdle Final will also feature on the Saturday Morning card with trainer Ricky Holloway responsible for five of the six finalists, the only runner not from the Holloway camp is the evergreen Borna Rhythm. The oldest of the runners Rhythm has already scored eight times around the Crayford venue and always gives you a run for your money. Preference however is for the well-drawn Ritzy Spirit out in six, a reliable trapper Ritzy has proved himself a consistent performer over hurdles and should secure a clear run on the outside on the run to the bend. Lenson Doolin is the obvious danger from three but at the prices I’ll side with Ritzy Spirit to make all.
Hunt Cup at Oxford (Fri)
The Hunt Cup semi-finals will highlight the televised Oxford card on Friday evening. In the fist semi Minnie Bullet will try and make all once again from the white jacket and will be tough to beat if in the same form. Havana Top Note finished third behind Minnie Bullet last time out but I fancy him to reverse the form this weekend. He walked from traps on that occasion and met trouble in running. If he can trap on terms, he could prove too strong for Minnie Bullet.
The second semi looks the stronger of the two on paper and once again I’ll side with the red jacket to come out on top. Low Pressure will be running from trap one for the first time in six outings, the last time he wore red he was a good winner of a competitive race at Monmore when he had the likes of Candy Man and Darbys Delight in behind. Low Pressure usually goes up strongly when drawn on the fence and should go off a decent price. Havana Lover and Crokers Brandy can chase him home.
Arc Grand Prix at Sunderland (Friday)
Darbys Delight once again performed minor miracles to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat when employing his customary last to first tactics when scoring last weekend. Although not great for the heart, he is a joy to watch and is hard to keep out of the frame. He goes in the second semi-final of the Grand Prix at Sunderland from an unfavorable draw in five. He still holds all his rivals on the clock on last week’s run where he was held up on more than one occasion and a clear passage around the opening two turns should see him prove too strong in the latter stages.
In the preceding semi-final Westforth Queen will be looking to make all from an ace draw in six. There is not much to separate the runners in this heat and whatever leads will hold a strong hand. For me Westforth Queen looks the most likely pace setter and I’ll side with her to make all.
Towcester Sunday
There is a cracking card at Towcester live on RPGTV this Sunday, not only do they have the semi-finals of the KAB Maiden Derby, but they also have numerous Derby Trial Stakes for the 2023 Greyhound Derby that starts next month. Plenty of clues should be offered up from Sunday’s card. In the KAB Derby semi-finals Brinklys Magic will be impossible to beat in the opening heat with a repeat of last week’s run where he made all in an impressive 29:23.
In the second heat youngster Droopys Bluechip looked to me as if she would improve for the run last week. She is only a September 21 whelp, and I got the impression she would come on for the run.
Milton Noah looks worth a bet in the 15:48, It is a race with a lack of early pace and Noah should race clear and hopefully hold his rivals at bay late on.
Weekend’s Best Bets
Oxford Friday 20:23
Low Pressure Two units win.
Crayford Saturday 10:53
Ritzy Spirit One unit win
