GREYHOUND PREVIEW: In this week’s preview Barry looks at the semi-finals of the Bet365 Challenge Cup from Oxford on Friday, the semi-finals of the George Curtis & Ballyregan Bob Memorial and the semi-finals of the Coral Olympic from Hove on Saturday. Plus Sunday’s Bet365 Puppy Oaks from Towcester. All three meetings will be live on RPGTV.
Super Saturday of Action at Hove
The semi-finals of the Olympic and semi-finals of the George Curtis & Ballyregan Bob competitions will top the bill on a terrific night’s action from the seaside venue this Saturday evening. Two semi-finals of the George Curtis & Ballyregan Bob will see the top three progress into next weekends final, while the top two will qualify from each of the three semi-finals of the Olympic.
First up will be the George Curtis & Ballyregan Bob Memorial, that event gets underway at 19:18. Droopys Clue got back to winning ways in emphatic style last weekend when going off at 1-4. He missed the kick on that occasion but showed good early pace to lead passing the stands on the first occasion. From here the classy son of Out Of Range put daylight between himself and his rivals. At the line Droopys Clue had over eight lengths in hand on Jacktavern Magic and Bradys Bullet. Its impossible to look past Droopys clue in the first semi. He has a perfect draw in red and can go up quicker than last week. Ower Smasher can follow him home, she was beaten at odds-on last time but her running style suggests she will make the final. Don’t expect to see her in the early part of the contest but she will be storming home. Jacktavern Magic is another with a good draw and should make the final. The second semi at 19:36 looks far more open. Clongeel Ozzie holds an advantage over his rivals on the clock but trap five is not ideal for Jason Heath’s runner. Ozzie is two from eight when wearing orange and is obviously much better when drawn closer to the rails. The best drawn dog in the race is Savana Heross, he ran out a comfortable winner last time and will be hard to contain if holding his pitch around the opening bends. Bradys Bullet is yet to hit the heights of earlier in the year but should come on a bundle for last weeks race. That was his first start since September, and he should improve. I’ll side with Droopys Clue and Savana Heross to make it a double for the red jacket.
The first of three semi-finals of the Olympic will kick off at 19:56. Wasted Monday caught the eye in defeat behind Ower Mystery last weekend and can take this with clear run. He’s not blessed with early pace but flies down the far side and stays well. King Combs ran well in a hot contest last time out and has a good draw on the fence to work from. Hesoneofourown looks a possible pace setter but maybe vulnerable to a stronger sort close home. You can’t completely rule out Lightfoot Falcon or last weeks winner Betsys Bullet. It’s a tough race for punters but Wasted Monday is running well and gets a tentative vote. A cracking contest is up next at 20:17 where we see the battle of Puppy Derby winner King Memphis and recent Nottingham Eclipse winner Newinn Syd. Syd ran a cracker behind Hollow Man in the opening round and he just gets the nod in this for me. Syd is more professional at boxes than King Memphis and if he were to lead King Memphis, he would be tough to reel in. The pair should safely qualify, and it would be a better final if they were to do so. The last semi is due off at 20:38 and its hard to look past Hollow Man. He has returned as good as ever and showed all his pace and class in round one. Beggers Bullet could get a nice tow off Hollow Man and could make it into next week’s decider.
Towcester Puppy Oaks-Sunday
The final of the Puppy Oaks is the feature on Towcester’s Sunday afternoon card live on RPGTV. Fabulous Terra remains unbeaten after running out a comfortable winner of her semi last Sunday. Terra has posted some consistent sectionals over the trip in recent weeks but there is some decent early pace in opposition this weekend. La Gitana flashed from traps last time out and has a big chance with a repeat. The draw hasn’t been kind to the superbly bred daughter of Good News, and she will need to repeat that sort of sectional if she’s to get across to the rails. Doohoma Roxie looks to have plenty on and I’m not to sure trap one will suit Crafty Paradiso. Queen Dusty made a mess of the start last week, but the draw could work in her favour. She has posted a 4.07 sectional around here in the past from trap six and she should have acres of room on the run to the corner. Deelish Nora can go up well but may be squeezed for room on the run up. Hopefully Queen Dusty can make a decent start and prove too strong in the second half of the contest.
Challenge Cup at Oxford
Semi-final time in the Challenge Cup at Oxford on Friday night. The Oxford card will be live on RPGTV along with the usual good quality offering from Romford. The first semi sees ante post favorite New Destiny go from a perfect draw in one. She missed the kick last time but ran on well behind Havana Lover. She can go up much better and make the most of her draw. Lively Lauren is well capable on her day and is unbeaten since her return from a seasonal break. Havana Top Note set new figures for the trip in the quarters but faces a tough draw outside two smart types. The outside trio will need luck. For me the draw just shades it in favour of New Destiny. Havana Lover and Aayamza Sydney should dominate the second semi with slight preference for Havana Lover. She is more consistent at traps than Aayamza Sydney and for that reason gets the nod.
Shelbourne Park Saturday
At Shelbourne Park this Saturday it’s the final of the Shelbourne Marathon over 1025 yards. Ballymac Katie is sure to go off a warm favorite for Liam Dowling. We also have the second round of the Christmas Oaks. Betting will be available on the BETDAQ Exchange for all Saturday nights action from Shelbourne.
