JONATHAN HOBBS: The best greyhound racing of the week comes from Newcastle tonight and Jonathan Hobbs is here with his Plays for each race.
GIVEN the All England Cup is known as the ‘North East Derby’, it’s hardly surprising we have a Classic-class field assembled for six heats at Newcastle tonight – live on RPGTV.
Welcome to a new sponsor, too, in Alconex – and their support has been rewarded with a Who’s Who of four-bend talent including defending champion Droopys Verve, Sunderland Classic winner Velvet Juliet and Puppy Classic winner Ice On Fire.
All are Newcastle-based racers, so the local challenge is strong! However the overall entry is talented enough to give the home guard something to think about – especially in the very first heat where Droopys Verve could be under pressure for the win.
Eyes down then for six heats of the £8,000 competition over 480m.
Newcastle
7.26 The Hayley Keightley kennel remains in good form and their Roxholme Glory could upset last year’s winner Droopys Verve. The 2018 Derby runner-up trialled back well enough last week, but clearing a fast break from his rival next door might not be easy.
Play: Roxholme Glory
7.42 Another cracking All England Cup heat with plenty of chances. Droopys Trapper with a lead is always a tough but to crack, but Forest Jason’s draw inside Roxholme Jim could prove crucial and Julie Bateson’s dog can underline the class he’s shown in recent trials.
Play: Forest Jason
7.57 Heat three now and might a rails draw for Payyaway Kane actually help? The local runner certainly has the pace to win, but needs to break to clear Grogeen Country. Preference is for well-drawn Droopys Pilot for Angela Harrison. He makes all.
Play: Droopys Pilot
8.13 Another All England Cup heat where Velvet Juliet stands out. Another Angela Harrison-trained runner, she trialled impressively and has the pace and the stamina to take some holding here. A big-race winner at Sunderland, she can bounce back from Monmore.
Play: Velvet Juliet
8.29 Heat five now and Ice On Fire is tough to oppose. He’s a leading player for outright honours and trialled impressively – and a draw inside chief rival Droopys Tune looks good for the chances of Jimmy Fenwick’s runner.
Play: Ice On Fire
8.44 A competitive sixth and final All England Cup heat and expect a battle early between Bramble Milburn and Droopys Nadal. However might Nadurra Ross turn handy enough to bustle up the leaders? John McLachlan’s dog is strong and ultra-consistent.
Play: Nadurra Ross
Good luck everyone.
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