JONATHAN HOBBS: Monmore follows Hove’s lead tonight with the heats of two major GBGB Category One competitions on one evening – the Ladbrokes Gold Cup and Ladbrokes Summer Stayers Classic – and both have attracted superb entries for very decent prizes.
MONMORE follows Hove’s lead tonight with the heats of two major GBGB Category One competitions on one evening – the Ladbrokes Gold Cup and Ladbrokes Summer Stayers Classic – and both have attracted superb entries for very decent prizes.
The reigning champions of both events are in the entry with Seaglass Tiger and Sheldan looking to defend their titles, although the task for both could actually be even harder given the quality on show – albeit both are improving after recent spells on the sidelines.
So let’s run through each of the 12 races tonight, starting with the six heats of the Ladbrokes Gold Cup.
6.09: Waikiki Lad could strike first for Ted Soppitt. This preferred front runner is up against last year’s winner Seaglass Tiger but can smash break with the best of them and this All England Cup runner-up is a tough nut to crack when dictating terms. With King Sheeran not quite firing from the boxes just now, Waikiki Lad could be way.
Play: Waikiki Lad
6.28: Hiya Boyo impressed over C&D recently and might always hold sway. The Hayley Keightley-trained runner failed to trap well previously and can do better from the boxes and might always be holding the strong-running Newinn Jacko next door. The latter won the Monmore Puppy Derby over C&D earlier this year.
Play: Hiya Boyo
6.43: Heat three of the Gold Cup now and Referendum might well get first run on Queen Jessiej. Both are solid early-paced performers but the Sheffield sprint form of Tony McKenna’s runner gives him the edge. He’s a dog who’s been backed for the Derby and has won 8 of his 13 starts. Queen Jessiej has an 8-from-12 record. A good clash.
Play: Referendum
6.58: Sussex Cup champion Bockos Doomie looks to flex his potential Greyhound of the Year muscles by winning back-to-back major events after an unbeaten run through the Hove event. He boasts winning form here and can jump out handily, although respect is due to Bockos Boss after a solid early-paced show last week.
Play: Bockos Doomie
7.18: Knockboy Jet has the early pace and draw to win a trappy contest. Recent winners Ballymac Wizard, Billies Tea and Market Call give the locals a strong hand here, but the Gary Ferguson-trained Scottish raider has an ace draw inside to help matters and might trap in front and secure an all-important lead in this fifth Gold Cup heat.
Play: Knockboy Jet
7.36: The final Gold Cup heat looks another with a few potential winners. Lenson Whelan and Droopys Addition both have solid Monmore wins on the card, while Castell Stevie remains a winning improver. However the early dash of Julie Bateson’s Tasty Treat could soon stretch these out. Only King Sheeran caught him last week.
Play: Tasty Treat
7.56: Heat one of the Ladbrokes Summer Stayers Classic kicks off with a great clash on paper between Southfield Code and Sparta Master. The former was majestic for Kevin Hutton last week over C&D and his pace and power is tough to ignore, although any mistakes or hard-luck stories will be pounce on by the resilient Sparta Master.
Play: Southfield Code
8.17: Defending champion Sheldan could raise her game after last week’s comeback run and looks well drawn. However Waltham Magic is an interesting recruit to six-bend racing having won the Angel of the North for Angela Harrison at Newcastle. Her trial was decent enough and improvement from likely front runner looks on the cards.
Play: Waltham Magic
8.38: Antigua Fire is tough to look beyond, even if these days 630m is looking sharp for him. Nevertheless a show of strength is on the cards from Mark Wallis’s dog who looks drawn for a solo outside and might have too much in the latter part of the race for possible leaders Beechgrove Bell and Piemans Noelle.
Play: Antigua Fire
8.54: Another good clash in this heat four of the Summer Stayers Classic. Smallmead will have her supporters given recent Hove romp, although she was beaten here last week when holding every chance – and now comes up against Bubbly Dave. Formerly known as Lightsaber Puma, he makes his UK debut for Paul Young and looks a nice sort.
Play: Bubbly Dave
9.12: Regency champion Zascandil starts his bid for a second major competition success and should go well outright. However he might also kick off his Monmore campaign with victory here, the wider draw helping his trapping and his stamina is in no doubt whatsoever given 695m success at Hove. King Dylan and Zeno head the opposition.
Play: Zascandil
9.28: The final race of the night and Droopys Catch versus Aayamza Royale looks another great catch. Preference is for the former who can shine for the Angela Harrison camp. He’s stepped up on each of his two six-bend starts and improvement from this young stayer is more likely than not, although Aayamza Royale is certainly well pitched.
Play: Droopys Catch
Good luck all.
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