NOTTINGHAM SATURDAY: IT’S the second batch of first-round heats in the Star Sports & Arc Greyhound Derby from Nottingham tonight which, along with a fantastic card at Crayford, makes RPGTV a must-watch – and a must-play.
First let’s take a look at heats nine to 16 at Nottingham . . .
Nottingham
7.34: Hopes Bullet could be worth a shekel or two in the sectional market with Ladbrokes having shown good speed in a trial stakes and might ping-start in this heat nine. However the all-round speed of Droopys Addition makes Ernie Gaskin’s dog tough to hold. He ran with credit in a trial stakes recently and will arrive at Notts pretty fresh and raring to go.
Play: Droopys Addition
7.51: Jumeirah Sprite’s all-round gears gives the Debbie Calvert-trained runner a real shout here. He remains lightly-raced but the draw and prep trials catch the eye, especially with crack Irish runner Wolfe set to move off early. All England Cup champion Bower Luke has some solid Notts wins to his name and looks well drawn outside.
Play: Jumeirah Sprite
8.06: Coolavanny Bani remains a nice type from Angela Harrison’s kennel and could go well here. His defeat of Waltham Magic in a recent trial was impressive, as was the 29.53sec time posted. Deanridge Sirius is clearly a top sort judged on fast trials himself, but coping with the electric speed up of Bubbly Magnum is key.
Play: Coolavanny Bani
8.21: Probably the most competitive of the 16 heats could be plundered by Forest Alan. Seamus Cahill’s dog rarely runs a bad race and, while his trial time was nothing to write home about, he’s a better dog in race conditions and might always be handy here. Master Reed is a solid sort and will run his usual honest race – and can easily go close himself.
Play: Forest Alan
8.36: Southwood Jet made a real splash in his trial stakes victory and Richard Rees’s dog is bubbling under on a lot of Derby shortlists – as is Faughan Rebel, so this heat 13 could be a cracker. The six-dog has flown round in trials but needs to clear the speedy Ballyard Ricki early, which might not be a given. Southwood Jet has a decent make-up inside.
Play: Southwood Jet
8.52: Blackstone Milo arrives in great form having won the big puppy race at Sheffield so must be feared. However there is pace to clear inside with Hopes Doggy and Bramble Reggie, while last year’s Irish Derby winner Lenson Bocko deserves the utmost respect. However, might he move off and give outsider Amka Rofe (Bob Smith) a solo?
Play: Amka Rofe e-w
9.11: Plaza Lep looks a surefire leader in this heat and might get away. Lynn Cook’s runner is short of a four-bend run or trial but his lead could be a long one in this heat 15. That said handy position from Distant Village makes him a real danger. The blue-jacketed runner will be looking for the line but might get away given a decent make-up.
Play: Plaza Lep
9.26: The final first-round heat – and what a clash! Bockos Doomie versus Newinn Session could be a great buckle with the white jacket set to get first run which might prove crucial. There’s a long way to go but the betting have these runners the best either side of the Irish Sea. Patrick Janssens’ kennel is in fantastic form so Doomie gets the vote.
Play: Bockos Doomie
Crayford sees two major GBGB Category One competitions kick off with the Ladbrokes Gold Collar and Jay & Kay Coach Tours Kent St Leger across the next three Saturdays. Combining with the Derby it again makes for some top viewing for greyhound fans on RPGTV.
Best bets in the Kent St Leger could be Mark Wallis’s Golden Jacket finalist Avastorm (6.32), Tom Levers’ local hope and finalist last year Beechgrove Bell (6.47), Patrick Janssens’ Golden Jacket heroine Skilful Sandie (7.05) and Michelle Brown’s Cesarewitch runner-up Micks Little Gem (8.14).
The pick of the Gold Collar heats look to be John Mullins’ Champion Stakes winner Smallmead (7.22), Patrick Janssens’ up-in-trip Seaglass Tiger (7.39) and Dean Childs’ very speedy Droopys Cannon (8.59).
Good luck all.
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