JONATHAN HOBBS: It’s another Super Saturday at Monmore as the semi-finals of a GBGB Category One double-header take centre-stage on RPGTV with the Ladbrokes Gold Cup and Ladbrokes Summer Stayers Classic playing starring roles.
It’s another Super Saturday at Monmore as the semi-finals of a GBGB Category One double-header take centre-stage on RPGTV with the Ladbrokes Gold Cup and Ladbrokes Summer Stayers Classic playing starring roles.
Throw in the heats of other supporting competitions including an appearance of sprinter-of-the-moment Shrewd Call and greyhound racing fans are well catered for, especially given the top-class action happening across the Irish Sea!
But sticking with the action from Wolverhampton and there are some crackerjack match-ups in both the four and six-bend contests. Let’s take a look at the main contests, starting with the semi-finals of the Ladbrokes Gold Cup.
6.58: Queen Jessiej will have her supporters, not surprisingly so after last week’s brilliant standard-setting performance. She really is an exceptional bitch. However, will she break from the inside as well to confirm form with Referendum? With that in mind, preference is for Tony McKenna’s leading sprinter. He stepped up in distance well enough in the heats, although can clearly trap better. A smash break could do the trick. On a similar basis, respect is due to Waikiki Lad, another cracking front runner. Great race.
Play: Referendum
7.18: Another superb Gold Cup semi with defending champion Seaglass Tiger the eye-catcher. Patrick Janssens’ runner roared back to his best in the heats last week and, probably still coming forward after a long injury lay-off, another slick exit could set up another trap-to-liner. That said anything less than a snappy exit and his line will be taken by possibly middle-moving C&D Trafalgar Cup winner Droopys Addition. Either way the inside traps could hold sway, with the latter a superb tracker.
Play: Seaglass Tiger
7.36: Bockos Doomie could have punters in a dilemma in this third Gold Cup semi. Patrick Janssens’ powerhouse was not at his all-conquering best last week in the heats but the stats do not lie! He is looking for a 12th straight win tonight and should actually come forward for last week’s run given a short break following a brilliant Sussex Cup triumph. Hiya Boyo, however, will provide a really stiff test. Last year’s Irish Derby Consolation runner-up when known as Droopys Pension has all-round gears – and does have a ping-start in his locker. However getting round the near 37-kilo Bockos Doomie will not be easy.
Play: Bockos Doomie
7.56: The semi-finals of the Ladbrokes Summer Stayers Classic now and Aayamza Royale shapes as one of the best bets of the night. Mark Wallis’s exciting stayer is back from a brief spell racing in Ireland and will improve for her heat second to Droopys Catch last week. The latter, a top sort, got first run then but Aayamza Royale flew through late and was in front after the line. She’ll be tough to hold, with Beechgrove Bell set to be the trail-blazer looking to get away to secure her place in next week’s final potentially.
Play: Aayamza Royale
8.17: Easily the most competitive Summer Stayers Classic semi with a host of chances. A snappy break from Regency champ Zascandil could seal the deal – he has all-round gears; Droopys Catch remains a young improver with top four-bend speed too; Smallmead is well drawn and more than capable, likewise closely-matched Desperado Dan and Jaxx Purple. However Waltham Magic is shaping up as a really nice sort. Already winner of the Angel of the North at Newcastle over four bends, Angela Harrison’s bitch has stepped up in distance well with her early dash a real weapon. Tonight’s draw is none too shabby.
Play: Waltham Magic
8.38: The final six-bend semi-final and Bubbly Dave looks a superb recruit to the Paul Young kennel. He made a winning UK debut last week which was an impressive effort when you think he clocked the fastest time of the six heats – from off the pace. There is pace inside to contend here given the speed of Daddys Prince and King Dylan, but if a clear run can be secured his middle and late gears can see the Romford raider, who came to the UK with a very decent reputation, prove too strong.
Play: Bubbly Dave
Two supporting competitions to the main events spice the card at Monmore and heats of the Ladbrokes 264 provide some eye-catching contests, with Pat Curtin’s local star Pull The Trigger (8.54) getting a narrow vote over Coolavanny Dylan in heat one.
Heat two sees Shrewd Call (9.12) looking to continue a fantastic winning run of form given his outstanding efforts at Central Park recently and he can strike for David Mullins. Expect improvement on a trial sighter at the Wolverhampton circuit last week.
Three heats of the Ladbrokes Puppy 480 kick off the 12-race card live on RPGTV and the talented Signet Ace (6.09) can get first run on the powerful Blackstone Milo to make it three-from-three for the Kevin Hutton kennel. Both are top-notch youngsters.
The remaining heats can go to once-raced littermate Signet Blaze (6.28) to shine for Team Hutton, although Glenvale Tony trialled well, while Carol Weatherall’s well-drawn Holdem Lauren (6.43) gets a narrow vote over Droopys Delight in heat three.
Good luck all.
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