JONATHAN HOBBS: It’s the penultimate night of open-race action in 2020. There are two GBGB Category Two finals to come – and tonight at Nottingham it’s the RPGTV National Sprint Final.
Reduced to a five-runner affair following the withdrawal of Dark Magic, it nevertheless remains competitive with Geelo Gold Dust and Loggies Lito potentially set for another rip-roaring two-bend battle for the spoils. Or will this latest big-race decider see another surprise after Ballymac Trend’s big-priced but deserved Oaks triumph at Swindon on Sunday?
Let’s have a look at the Nottingham card . . .
Nottingham
7.34: A 480m contest kicks off the open-race action and this shorter run to the bend requires a decent exit. Local hope Dark Ocean will have his supporters but Fire Height Lola showed good pace in a puppy heat last week and could be well placed outside. The Carol Evans-trained youngster has scope for better and a slick exit paves the way?
Play: Fire Height Lola
7.51: The first of tonight’s finals is the RPGTV Puppy Cup where Easy Shot will be popular after a brilliant heat effort last week. She posted the fastest time and has clear scope for improvement as a June 19. However, expect better from Ted Soppitt’s Burnchurch Mick. He was a lucky winner last week but can certainly trap quicker towards the inner.
Play: Burnchurch Mick
8.06: A sprint contest now and tough to look beyond local hope Swift Taxman runs his race inside. Lynn Cook’s dog ran a decent race behind Loggies Lito in a National Sprint warm-up last month and has since moved well in a solo trial. The draw looks ace inside, although a flyer from Geelo Coney could put the favourite under pressure potentially.
Play: Swift Taxman
8.21: Another final over 500m for the RPGTV Standard – and arguably the best race of the night! There’s huge early pace inside and any of Churchill Holly, Little Emir and Plaza Lep could ping to lead and boast terrific early gears. Churchill Holly ran great in the Derby, but perhaps Gary Carmichael’s Little Emir will improve more for his heat return last week?
Play: Little Emir
8.36: A competitive 480m next where Winetavern Curly will have his supporters after a runaway victory at Sheffield. The draw gives him every chance, although both Waltham Blue Boy and Strides Farran can smash break and could put the pace to the race. Indeed, might Jim Hayton’s course specialist Strides Farran get first run from the black-box?
Play: Strides Farran
8.52: Another solid race, this time over 680m. Stardom looks to go one better after a close second at Romford in the Mitch Millward Marathon. She’s a winner over C&D before and earns the utmost respect. However Barry Denby’s Riley Ray moved well in a four-bend solo and is always thereabouts. Things might well open up as he makes his back-straight move.
Play: Riley Ray
9.11: The final of the RPGTV National Sprint and obvious chances for the unbeaten Geelo Gold Dust and ante-post favourite Loggies Lito. Both are top drawer performers but escaping each other is a must – although a ping-start for either could set up victory. However, at the odds, Feather Breeze might be worth a shekel or two. Richard Joyce’s runner made a real splash over C&D recently when posting 17.54sec which is certainly a National Sprint-winning time. He has been hit-or-miss at the boxes but showed pace in the semis last week behind the front two and has more scope for improvement potentially.
Play: Feather Breeze
9.26: The final open race of the year at Nottingham and Look Like Power will likely go to traps as favourite – and his record over C&D this year has been solid. However might Perrys Choice trap better next door? Michelle Brown’s runner showed plenty of pace behind the impressive Churchill Dolly last week and could get first run on his rivals tonight.
Play: Perrys Choice
Good luck all and Merry Xmas.
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