JONATHAN HOBBS: Greyhound fans had plenty of action on the track to help them shrug off those post-Cheltenham blues with major meetings at Romford and Monmore this weekend, followed by tonight’s cards at Central Park (SportyStuff TV/RPGTV) and Swindon (Sky Sports Racing).


We’re across both with the heats of the Cearnsport Springbok spicing the card at Central Park – a group of novice hurdlers going for gold across three rounds at the Kent circuit. The emphasis is on jumping prowess – and naturally some are better than others.

Swindon continues its regular series of open races on a Sunday with another top card at the Blunsdon venue, but let’s kick off with Central Park and a decent contest to begin with.

Central Park Sunday

6.43: Havana Class made a winning debut for the Liz McNair camp a fortnight ago and, while beaten last week, a better exit tonight puts these under pressure. The red jacket is perfect, although coping with the speed of Im A Starman next door is key.

Play: Havana Class

6.58: Heat two of the Springbok sees long-range fancy Droopys Rex the one to beat. He was mopping up trial stakes for this event for fun before a setback, but David Mullins’ runner is arguably the best jumper in the Springbok field and could make it pay.

Play: Droopys Rex

7.36: Ricky Holloway has a great record in the Springbok and could be the trainer to follow in heat three. His Toolmaker Daddy finished behind the talented Coolavanny Archy in his last trial stake but will have improved for a subsequent trial. He’s a strong-running sort.

Play: Toolmaker Daddy

7.56: The final heat of the Springbok and Seaglass Smokey might be tough to hold for champion trainer Patrick Janssens. He hosed up when last over C&D and has since moved well in a flat trial at Towcester. The make-up here in six looks top notch.

Play: Seaglass Smokey

9.12: A superb staying contest now where Blue Tick George will rightly be fancied after back-to-back wins here, but any mistakes early could allow local star Lenson Austin to slip clear. Paul Donovan’s dog impressed over C&D last time and may get first run.

Play: Lenson Austin

9.28: The Central Park finale now and another Janssens runner could shine in the shape of Doolin Princess. The draw inside looks good – as long as she breaks well and holds a good position into the turn. She ran a decent enough race over 480m here last week.

Play: Doolin Princess

Swindon Sunday

7.09: Seamus Cahill sent out Deelish Hero to win last week and a similar performance could do the trick. Improvement is likely from that first competitive look at Swindon, although a better exit than last week is needed to beat a decent field.

Play: Deelish Hero

7.41: A good maiden stayers contest now and Antigua Bullet could go well for an in-form kennel. Belinda Green’s runner ran a decent race last week and, if getting away to a decent exit, might always be handy enough to catch Westwell Julie.

Play: Antigua Bullet

8.12: The Cahill camp are enjoying their trips to Swindon and Swift Darcy might always be handy inside in this 476m event. The draw looks good for the British-bred who caught the eye behind the useful Westway Blake seven days ago.

Play: Swift Darcy

8.27: Best race of the night at Swindon sees a host of talented sorts and good chances, including Westway Blake and Derby finalist Smurfs Machine. However, the early figures could be set by Kevin Hutton’s hat-trick seeking Great Eastern. He might get away.

Play: Great Eastern

8.46: The final open race at Swindon could see a cracking battle between two Hove-based runners over six bends. Preference is just for another Cahill runner Long Goliath, although a smash break from that grand campaigner Shoot The Bolt makes things interesting.

Play: Long Goliath

Good luck all.

@Hobbsy67