JONATHAN HOBBS: A fantastic few days of greyhound racing action kicks off at Monmore tonight with a full open-race card including the semi-finals of the Ladbrokes Gold Cup and the Ladbrokes Summer Stayers Classic.
These four and six-bend competitions produced some superb fare last week and SportyStuff TV/RPGTV viewers are once again in for a real treat – before Towcester tomorrow afternoon seems Aayamza Royale and Savana Volcano grace the track in the heats of the Stadium Bookmakers Marathon at Towcester, again on the channel, before Sky Sports Racing picks up the baton with the Arc Puppy Classic heats at Nottingham. It’s a Category One-fest!
But first let’s have a look at the major races from the Wolverhampton venue on Saturday.
6.28: Coolavanny Bani could get first run in this first Stayers Classic semi. Angela Harrison’s bitch is a good starter, is drawn the right side of last week’s fastest heat winner Ivy Hill Skyhigh, and might always have these under pressure in behind her if edging past Nipsey Hustle early. The break is key, but the inside trio look to have the best early dash.
Play: Coolavanny Bani
6.48: Fatboyz Exile won well last week and could repeat the dose in this second Stayers Classic semi. The draw hints a decent early lead for Mark Wallis’s runner who looks a lightly raced and improving sort. Guiri Steve looks the biggest danger next door, although also expect better from Burgess Puma who could be a real threat if front-running.
Play: Fatboyz Exile
7.07: Mark Wallis has a strong hand here in this last Stayers Classic heat with Bo Shine Bullet and Blueberry Bullet. The latter posted the fastest clock last week but clearing her kennelmate might not be easy – and the blue-box is a Cat One winner who holds a lead. Respect to defending champion Kingsbook Glyn, who rates a player, too.
Play: Bo Shine Bullet
7.24: Jaguar Macie ran a solid race in defeat last week behind Seomra Razl, showing good all-round speed. This trap three draw suits her more and a quick exit puts Graham Rankin’s top-class bitch in the race. It’s competitive so her price will be fair – with Pacemaker Ted more than capable of bulletins the boxes and setting the tempo.
Play: Jaguar Macie
7.44: Signet Ace could smash break here and set a furious pace up top. Kevin Hutton’s dog won the Winter Derby over C&D and showed up well in the Derby. He posted a standard-setting heat win and timewise has the edge over these. Clearing the likes of Seomra Razl and Dualla Prince will be essential, however, in a race packed full of speed.
Play: Signet Ace
8.03: Frankies Jet could be the answer to this final Gold Cup heat. He must trap better than last week, especially with Adeles Duke next door, but could be tough to reel in or stop with anything like handy pitch into the turn – with a likely rails move from Forest Gold next door potentially clearing the way. Antigua Storm and Hardy Rebel are both strong sorts.
Play: Frankies Jet
Good luck all.
@Hobbsy67
