There are four quality finals to watch this afternoon at Monmore for their August Festival and with 3 of Jimmy’s 4 antepost selections still in contention, bookmakers should be aware that I may start barking wildly at the SIS screens as my excitement builds! Elsewhere, the Yorkshire St.Leger starts tonight with the market leaders seemingly evenly matched which is reflected in the prices but as ever, I think I’ve found some doggie value for you. First, let’s start with Monmore:

15:17 – Puppies Final

He just looked too big at 5/4 antepost. Farloe Warhawk has won 10 of his 11 starts including beating the ludicrously quick Ballymac Eske in the Puppy Derby final earlier in the month; it is hard to see the Warhawk not powering to the first bend and dominating his rivals thereon. He looks too big at 4/6! He will face a battle with the impressive Bittles Bar who showed good early and will be moving more middle than rails which could block Warhawk’s path, but the selection antepost has shown too much class to be deterred by a dog on his inner and he looks a good thing for this final. The other antepost selection for the dog blog is Kinloch Tiger who has a great draw in trap 1 with the aforementioned Bittles Bar moving middle; it will need the Tiger to pounce early, however, and cling on to that each-way slot for a healthy doggie treats profit on this tournament. It is hard to make a case for any of the others apart from maybe Valentia Tango, who ran valiantly behind the selection in the heats.

15:58 – 630m Final

Mark My Words is a warm order for this final as he likes it round here and beat the well-fancied Westmead Maldini (who has subsequently ran brilliantly, especially on Kent Derby final night) in the Summer Stayers Classic over C&D. He also likes the red box but the presence of Dixies Air next to him, who is not adverse to a decent start himself, could pave the way for a revelation in the heats to steal the show in Farloe Mysterio. As a puppy, Farloe Mysterio chased down the ludicrously quick Eden Star (maybe the Draper’s should change their kennel name to “Ludicrously Quick”, just a thought!) and so the transition he has made to six-bends should have come as no surprise as he has looked a natural, particularly in the heats. He disappointed on his staying bow at Oxford when losing to Five Alley Pub but that form doesn’t look too mediocre after his win at Romford last night in a decent field and so there is still potential for Mysterio to be very useful over 6 bends. His trapping was often a problem over the standard distance but that certainly was not a problem on Monday from the Monmore boxes as he flew out and if he does so again, that Eden-Star-overtaking-pace will make him tough to peg back and at odds of 7/2, he looks the value for Jimmy.

16:37 – Gold Cup Final

The disappointment for the dog blog is that Fridays Daryl completely missed the break in the Semis and was thus eliminated but my tail will be back wagging for the Gold Cup if Taylors Sky defends his title. I say if. Lister himself said that Monmore is probably Sky’s favourite track and his return to a scintillating level of form is ominous for his opponents as they try and work out a way of stopping the Greyhound of the Year. Much has been made of Farloe Iceman on Sky’s inside but even if Iceman gets a flyer (which he regularly does), the selection can turn at least with him and overtake as Iceman unfortunately now characteristically, tires. It is an intriguing contest though and is no means a complete formality but the chances of Fridays Shea rely on him getting a flyer like in the Semis (the first time I can recall he has broken even moderately in any race) and Silverview Perky’s efforts in mixed-gender company have been disappointing. She thrives against bitches but never really showed desire to overtake Sky on Monday (probably a bit unfair to her due to Sky’s talents but still a valid comment) and even her win the Select Stakes was deserved as she had every right to be in the race, but one can’t help but thinking she was lucky to win the way she did. Mags Gamble returned to form in the Semis and although is undoubtedly a trier, his trainer’s opinion that he has “no chance” is probably accurate.

16:57 – 416m Final

As I suggested in the build-up dog blog for this festival, this distance is all about the break as the really short-run to the bend is quirky and it is crucial that my colleagues turn in a good position. That is of course, unless your name is Tuttles Maldini who rarely pings the lids but shows incredible trackcraft round this venue to now make it 8 wins from his last 10 starts over this C&D. Readers of the dog blog know that my treats went on him each-way at 7/1 and although it would be a nice win for me, the presence and form of Lil Risky is too much to ignore (trust me I know he is quick!). He pinged the boxes on Monday before slipping on the ridiculously overwatered track so I expect him to out-trap Manilla Flash (the new track record holder has never won from the red box in his career) and then gallop clear before Maldini can get a run on him. I’m definitely having a saver on Risky as I greatly respect my colleague and so it could be a 1-2 for the dog blog!

Yorkshire St.Leger Antepost

Well, I haven’t seen the Doncaster track for over two years now, but if my aging memory serves me right, you need to know your way around these bends. As the Open racing is few and far between at the Yorkshire venue, most of the participants in the St.Leger won’t have seen the track for a long time, if at all, and that is of huge concern. One who has is Tynwald Tom who I have been hugely impressed with this term but his trials have been moderate which suggests the track does not suit and I will leave him for another day (hopefully he runs Wimbledon better – he certainly can’t run it worse than me!). This distance will be stretching Blonde Fletch as well who impressed at Sittingbourne earlier in the week but a bitch who has shown she has great early, determination, stamina and likes the track (it sounds like she can’t lose!) is Ballymac Pet who would make a great girlfriend – I mean who I will be backing strongly for this tournament (sorry my mind drifted a little there). I can only eat so many treats and as this dog blog has been doing well I will have to place some more on Blonde Reagan who is in the form of his life and crucially, there are very few quality wide dogs so he should get good draws throughout the competition.

So there are a dog’s thoughts on the action today and as ever please tweet me or comment if you have anything you agree/disagree with. Alternatively, if you have Ballymac Pet’s number or you can put in a good word for yours truly that would be great!

Enjoy the racing,

Jimmy

After a good day out at Monmore yesterday attention turns to Sittingbourne this evening where the live on Sky card looks a cracker. One note on Monmore yesterday, before my old adversary Lil Risky ran the track was ridiculously overwatered which caused him to lose his action on the second bend in one of the numerous puddles on the track; a dog of his class deserves more respect than that! Anways, dog rant over. Here are my thought’s on the racing:

19.40 – 480m

This looks a great chance to get the dog blog off to a winning start for me. Short of me wagging my tail vigorously while barking and jumping around like a lunatic (behaviour which is exclusively saved for dinner time) I cannot stress how much I rate the chances of Zodiac Zeus in the opener. I nearly fell off the sofa when I saw odds of 2/1! As a likeable early-paced type he enjoys the track, has a great run with the mid-moving local next to him and barring Sakara Star getting a flyer which is rare (although he did in his last race) I think Zeus will be away-and-gone with no catching him. Indeed, Star is the danger but he is dog that would seemingly find trouble in a solo trial and if he turns in arrears he has pace to burn but his trackcraft leaves a lot to be desired: his presence just makes the price on Zeus even juicier.

20:00 – 480m

I like the start of this card. Peacemaker is progressing into a formidable sort who has won 6 of his last 7 starts including the Produce Stakes and he has shown he has a liking for the venue. Joscar is a danger but got turned over at long odds-on over a more suitable trip of 500m round here earlier in the month and one feels he will be stepping up in trip to 6 bends before too long: this should give Peacemaker a great run with Bursary Boy running well in the early stages of races but will surely be outclassed by the selection. A dog with pace and a great draw is Mash Mad Snowy who will make sure that Peacemaker wins the race in earnest but he can put in a moderate performance here and there, which cannot be said for the recommendation.

20:15 – 480m

A decent field for this bitches race seems a battle between the resolute Thurlesbeg Bound and the pacey Britania Joan. It’s hard to split the two and one should not discount the out-of-form Westmead Melanie (a bitch with tremendous heart on her day) and the early-paced local Agincourt Cilla but with Joan’s run, I expect her to make all from out-wide. It would be no surprise to see Thurlesbeg bounding alongside (sorry I couldn’t resist!) and outstaying the selection however, so stakes should be minimal.

20:35 – 642m

What a greyhound Blonde Fletch has been but unfortunately he cannot be trusted to stay at the odds he goes off at so although I wouldn’t be surprised to see him bolt clear and beat these, he is not worthy of any my dog treats these days. Droopys Aretha could run a big race at her odds but the power of Freedom Cache saw him installed as favourite for the St. Leger earlier in the year and his ability seems to have been overlooked here. He often starts ridiculously slow (I could teach him a few things!) but weaves nicely through fields and Fletch will be in real trouble if Cache is anywhere near him after the first circuit. The step down in trip for Buglys Billie seems a strange move but she will definitely be running on!

20:50 – 480m

An intriguing encounter for me to get my paws on with the still fairly unknown quantity of Lenson Peter providing a real puzzler to this doggie equation. Respect to my fast-out colleague Fifis Legend as well and Rio Torino could run well from an awkward draw (a feat he managed over C&D earlier this month) but with so many early-paced merchants the race could be set up for course specialist Freedom Chief. Chief does do things the hard way at times (I’ve told him getting out in front is the best way!) but he is classy when it all goes to plan for him and he is a tentative selection. Guinness Dusty is also no mug but tends to find this class a bit daunting.

21:10 – 480mH

Every man and his dog loves a bit of sentimentality on television and what better way to (most probably) end a terrific career than see Olivers Twist prove he is the best hurdler of his generation and jump magnificently round the Kent venue tonight. I’m not a massive fan of hurdlers (probably because they always confused me when I was running – jumping in a race?!) but I have great respect for Twist who through an injury-hit career has always saved his best for the big occassion. Lenson Teddy will take a lot of stopping but if Twist can utilise his great draw and his favourite trap to full advantage he should have too much class over the sticks for Teddy. Teddy’s jumping style is like Marmite in either you love it’s quirkiness or hate it’s imprecision but one thing is for sure: he is always susceptible to mis-time a jump that will prove costly in the Grand National. Indeed, one could argue he did just that in the Springbok when losing ground to Westmead Melanie when she was at her fluent best so Teddy can ill-afford a repeat of that tonight against an even better-class rival in the hurdler of his generation: Olivers Twist.

21:25 – 500m

A superb warm-up to the main event here with reigning Kent Derby champion Jazz Apollo being given a great draw for him on the rails where he is 3 from 4 from the red box. Be Real is a live outsider but may hinder Apollo’s chances and speaking about 3 from 4 – that is Westmead Maldini’s record over C&D. I said in a previous dog blog I find it hard to catch Maldini right but he is a superb animal who has everything in his locker and if he turns in front of Apollo, I can’t remember a dog ever running past Maldini when he is contesting for the lead (bearing in mind my memory may be going in retirement!). Never rule out Apollo in a race but Maldini once did a 28.91 over the 480m distance round here as well which would have won most of the races tonight over that trip!

21:45 – 480m

All the attention in the Kent Derby final is on the superb pace of Westmead Adonis and he was a worthy Derby finalist and demands the utmost respect in any contest. A sobering thought for backers though is that he did not win a single race in his epic effort in the Derby and that is a similar scenario that he faces in tonight’s competition. Does he win enough to warrant favouritism here? After deliberation with myself on my walk today I’ve decided he’s worth taking on and with possible chaos in the middle between Cash Game, Rusheen Major (where did his trapping come from?!) and Westmead Shaw, the recommendation to continue Adonis’ heartache in big races is Ballycowen Dave. I think that Shaw will perhaps lead that battle of early-pace but even if he does Dave has proven that he can overhaul him and the selection is unbeaten in the competition. Yes, some eager-eyed observers will note that Dave did not win in his last 13 races prior to the tournament but I would rather be on a dog at 5/1 with a good run that does not win his fair share, than a dog at 7/4 with a good run that does not win his fair share. Dave is unbeaten round here and if he can stay in contact with the leaders, he can add a Kent Derby title to Allsopp’s kennels tonight.

So there are a dog’s thoughts on the action this evening and as ever, please tweet me or comment if you have anything to say about a canine’s perspective of racing. Here’s hoping the Twist can give us one last demonstration of unrivalled hurdling before his probable retirement – I’m sure he’ll enjoy it because I certainly am!

Enjoy the racing,

Jimmy.

Well, one of the few times I get off the sofa was to go for a walk today and I got absolutely drenched so I hope this has not affected the track bias at Monmore! Hoping for a sunny afternoon in Wolverhampton and if so then it should be a great afternoon’s racing with the focus being on the Gold Cup – here are a dog’s thoughts on the Semi-Finals:

3.48 – 1st Semi-Final

The question in this race was how much can you read into the form of Blazing Ruso’s second behind a scintillating display of pace from Taylors Sky in the heats; my verdict is that it is to be hugely respected and Ruso could lead this and show the form that led him to a puppy competition here over C&D. Although he is respected, his trapping consistency is a problem and with track-specialist Frankbrunosbro on his inside he may come into traffic problems at the first bend. This will play into the hands of a nice sort in Fridays Daryl who has been known to miss the break (even I missed it in my career, maybe just the once!) but is showing great early round this venue and has a clear run to the bend with tardy trappers Fridays Shea and Bit View Micko inside him; the verdict is that he could be away-and-gone before Ruso can get into stride.

4.08 – 2nd Semi-Final

Regular readers of this dog blog will know that Jimmy likes a bit of value, especially from an early-paced type and I think I have got my paws on some here. Farloe Iceman is the favourite based on his puppy form, brother’s near-Derby heroics and the fact he might strip fitter having shown his early has come back to him in the first round; the problem is that he has only won once this year (back in February) in an injury-hit season and has not won convincingly in all-aged company since his impressive successes as a puppy last August at Hove so I am concerned about his progression from a promising pup to a class act. Next to him is Taylors Cruise who has seemingly changed his running style since winning the Scottish Derby more than a year ago from front-running to back-running and he has not been as successful since this new adopted strategy. Those two will also have to live with Daddy Knowsbest who is undoubtedly blessed with pace but my colleague seems to get distracted from the hare at times and is definitely one who likes to get involved in some hustle and bustle so when he dives for the rails, it could be trouble for the inside dogs! Therefore, the value is to stick with a selection that ran well in defeat for the dog blog last time and the recommendation is Milestone Apache to lead the hugely disappointing Mags Gamble (who was lucky to qualify having completely missed the break) and confirm that although he is a short-runner, he is also a dog with a lot of heart who can repel all challengers, just!

4.27 – 3rd Semi-Final

A dog who has had more comebacks than Audley Harrison, but is far classier and more spirited than the delusional British heavyweight, is Taylors Sky who was a joy to watch in the first round as he was through the whole competition last year: he loves it round here. He has his favourite red box (I might put a few doggie treats on Sky being drawn in trap 1 in future tournaments!) and can lead up the unproven Alien Planet and shrug off the early-paced Little Gent at the first bend. There is no doubt that Silverview Perky is a supremely talented superbitch, but us dogs just seem to have the better of her and her appalling start in the first round is ill-advised for her as she will need to be at the very top of her game to dethrone Sky as the king of Monmore – even that might not be enough.

Supporting Card

The other tournaments for the August Festival begin today and the inclusion of Farloe Warhawk in the Puppy competition, who is now joint antepost favourite for the Derby next year, should be a great spectacle for those in the Midlands over the next week as it is hard to see him not strolling this. Bittles Bar is highly-rated by the bookies but has not quite shown why yet, Free Tornado is interesting after some good times at Shelbourne but I might break one of my dog bones in half and have an each-way tickle on Kinloch Tiger (who is unbeaten in graded competition round here) and showed the guts and determination required to pull off his name when beating the strong Droopys Xavier at Hove (who I think would be shorter than 16/1 for this competition).

Elsewhere, I woke up this morning in my kennel to read antepost quotes of 7/1 on Mark My Words in the 630m tournament; that seemed huge to me and I would have ran down to the bookies if it wasn’t further than my optimum 305m. I then logged on to find he had been hammered into 9/2 which is a much more realistic reflection of his chances and I decided against placing any of my beloved treats on the tournament antepost. I do, however like the chances of Liscahane Razl in the last heat who is (you guessed it!) an early-paced bitch who has a great draw to work from with the short run to the bend favouring the inside traps and can hold off the late challenge of highly-tried Meadow Bank Owl.

The 416m tournament always gets my juices flowing as it is often a question of the best trapper wins! The quirky very short-distance to the bend over this trip at Monmore is fascinating and the inclusion of Lil Risky in the tournament (my arch nemesis who seems to be flying in my absence, coincidence?) means that if he brings his trapping boots this should be a walk in the park to him. He has not had a trial out of the boxes though and Proud Patsy is a bitch who loves these traps on her home-turf and could just spring a surprise on my old rival. The recommendation antepost is an each-way dabble on Tuttles Maldini who is 7 from 9 over the C&D and with his running style will avoid Lil Risky if they meet in the final and should at least give Wallis’ dog a race. Look out for my colleague Bower William in Maldini’s heat as he has shown glimpses of being a likeable sort and could be one to note if he gets it right at the traps.

So there you are, a dog’s guide to the Monmore August Festival and as ever, please tweet me if you have any comments.

Enjoy the racing,

Jimmy

A tricky card to call tonight live on Sky which is a credit to Sheffield for managing to attract high-class performers in the majority of the televised races. I’ve had a paws for thought and decided that we should expect the unexpected; with so many evenly matched dog this dog blog will try and find where the value is and look for the prices that do not seem to reflect the dog’s chances. It’s tough to call so stakes should be limited, but I’ll give you the best perspective from a dog’s eyes for you – here it goes!

7.40 – 500m

We kick off proceedings with a race that will not take a great deal of winning but the standout recommendation comes in the form of Lionhearted Andy who will hopefully live up to his name and attack the first bend before stringing them out. Lethal Roy rates as the main danger but his win over Farloe Wolverine at long-odds last month is perhaps being overrated as that is his only open race win to date. If Roy encounters any scrimmaging from the rest of the evenly-matched field then Andy’s sprinting pace should suffice as he seems to just about get this distance (see my dog blog on ‘Staying Sprinters’ that further justifies this!).

8.00 – 660m

So pick the bones out of this one! In trap 1 we have the ever-game Swabys Princess, in the blue box 2011 Stayer of the Year Blonde Fletch who has question marks about stamina these days and in 3 the mercurial but talented track-specialist Welton Arthur. Any of those could win but they all have questions to answer from their latest efforts whereas Mill Whiskers is being underrated at 11/2 in this line-up and could be away-and-gone while the three market leaders battle it out. Princess is 0 from 8 from the red box and has no track experience, Fletch is desperately looking for the line as his aging legs catch up with him and Welton Arthur seems to show glimpses of having other things on his mind than the hare and so faith in his temperament is minimal in the Lolly household these days. A very difficult race to call as there are so many connotations, but the price on Whiskers looks on the large side.

8.15 – 500m

Local knowledge is often a key factor round Sheffield and on that basis, Kowloon Conner for the in-form Draper Kennel can assert off the second bend and account for another local in the form of Eques. There has been interest in Watch Kitty and her formline of accounting for Killieford Deal reads well in the context of his impressive win in the Puppy Classic since, but she has had only one look round here and Conner’s experience of this Northern track can win me a few doggie treats tonight!

8.35 – 480m

Wow, some very nice bitches in this race are getting me a bit hot under my dog collar! The more I look at them, I just cannot separate Slick Sian and Bansha Mo so preference is for the former who has the draw inside, is much the larger price and led Ayamzaman at Romford in her last race which is no mean feat! Yes, this selection contradicts my earlier comment of needing track experience around here but Sian is worth taking on at 7/2 to beat or follow Jennas Pony to the bend and end Mo’s unbeaten record round here (2 from 2). Indeed, Mo has been slightly disappointing since her return following a supremely impressive run of results at the start of the year but for all of her achievements in that spell, Sian can match them; Sian beat Derby Champion Blonde Snapper at his beloved Romford (where he won the Golden Sprint prior to his Wimbledon success) and her efforts in her last race suggest to me that she will be really up for this!

8.50 – 500m

This seems a straight tussle between track-specialist Fire Height Spec and Lister’s improving Hather George. The vote is with Spec who has lost only once over C&D including beating one of tonight’s Steel City Cup finalists in Boher Paddy and I appear not to be alone in this thinking as all of the 2/1 offered disappeared faster than I could run a sprint (and that was fast, believe me ;))

9.10 – 720m

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any more difficult, along comes a short marathon race with some quality in-form dogs opposing each other. Where do I start? Aero Gaga is a dog who I never seem to catch right as one minute I think he is a short eight-bend performer before he bolts up at Wimbledon over a longish 894m last week: the latest thought on him is that he needs longer than this. Magna Sparrow is underestimated at your peril round here and is a nice sort and Ballyard Buddy can proudly claim he is Cock O’ The North (a title I am very much jealous of) and is a worthy favourite for this race as he’s in the form of his life. Speaking of being in the form of their lives, Blonde Reagan fulfils that criteria as well and his explosive early pace can pinch a decisive lead if he gets the boxes at Sheffield. It is also to note that Buddy has never won over more than 672m so backers of him should be cautious of that fact.

9.25 – 480m

It’s fair to say I’ve had to look at this race numerous times due to the numbers of withdrawals, replacements, non-replacements and dog knows what else but I think I have finally got to grips with who is running and not running and I have come to a conclusion. Farloe Spitfire would have won all of the races. Yah Muppet is a concern (I’m pretty sure he is running!?) but is terribly inconsistent which can also be said for Delwood Roko who now has a good run (I think?). Spitfire just seems to have a tinge more class than these and if he pings as he normally does, the verdict is he will be far too strong for the field.

9.45 – 500m

Will anyone dispute Boher Paddy from winning his first Category One event before turning 4? I certainly won’t as he is a truly brilliant dog who thoroughly deserves the success. Desperately unlucky in the Quarter-Final of the Derby when drawn in the black box against speedy types inside of him as he plunged for the rails at the first bend to meet a wall of traffic; every greyhound follower could see it coming a mile-off and it was sad to see as he had been at his imperious best throughout the tournament to that point. This evening, however, he has been given a superb draw (he told me to say about time!) next to the tardy starter Meadow Bank Owl and track-stalwart but perhaps outclassed Skywalker Louie and so Paddy can assert on the rails which is a position he rarely loses from if he gets on the inside. Of course, it is wrong to dismiss Slick Santiago who is a dog that seems to have had more injuries than Michael Owen and Owen Hargreaves put together. Allsop, however, is confident that he is now at peak fitness and he has not let his trainer down with impressive back-to-back victories for the first time in his career during the competition. Indeed his time was faster than Paddy’s in the Semis, but Paddy had a nightmare draw (surprise!) to overcome and also to account for his kennelmate Hather George which he did so magnificently so expect that form to be reversed tonight if Paddy gets his expected clear run.

So there you go! Whether any of those thoughts actually come to fruition is a totally different story on a fascinating card but it should make for great racing tonight. Please comment or tweet me if you agree/disagree or if you are just becoming weary of my dog puns and I’ll happily respond. One final thought – every dog has it’s day, come on Paddy!

Enjoy the racing,

Jimmy

On Monday afternoon this Category One competition starts with memories of Taylors Sky’s epic performances to run away with this tournament last year still fresh in the memory. His performances were breathtaking here a year ago, but is he the same dog now? That question will surely be answered over the course of the Gold Cup. The doubt around Sky’s new level of form is surely too much to take on antepost at the prices and if he does slip up, the chances of his improving kennel compatriot Mottos Blue and the fast-out track specialist (when he gets it right at the boxes!) Fridays Daryl look the value calls antepost.

It should be a great tournament with the seemingly unknown potential of Alien Planet and the ever-impressive superbitch Silverview Perky added to the mix. Here are a dog’s thoughts on the First Round and who can possibly live with Sky if he is back to his supreme best.

3.28 – Heat 1

Last year’s finalist behind the brilliance that was Taylors Sky lines up as favourite here in Longwood Fantasy but he wins fewer races than he should do with a dog of his pace. Graigues Orchard could not have asked for a worse draw around a track he runs really well and with that in mind, the very well-drawn Milestone Apache who beat Bucks Blade last month is given the nod.

3.48 – Heat 2

This looks a penalty kick for Silverview Perky who although was arguably lucky to win the Select Stakes, has shown she retains all of the ability that saw her cruise to the Oaks last December. With the local Princess Madison being a bang railer here (as she was at Hall Green) there could be chaos on the inside and it looks as though Perky will just have to outtrap the inconsistent Bit View Micko to land the spoils in a facile success.

4.08 – Heat 3

So here he is. All eyes will be glued to the SIS screens today to see what dog Taylors Sky has become. After this run he could be odds on for the tournament, or we could be desperately disappointed to see a truly tremendous dog not running at the level that saw him take my title of Greyhound of the Year (he took my trophy!). He has his favourite box in trap 1 and just faces the challenge of beating the very progressive Blazing Ruso to the bend, surely he will win this? If he does falter, watch out for Mags Gamble who is very well drawn and has pace.

4.27 – Heat 4

At the antepost price of 16/1, Mottos Blue should lay down a marker here for why that price underestimates his early-pace and galloping strength out wide. With a cracking draw next to the ever-reliant railer Tudor Prince and the frustrating inconsistency of Taylors Cruise, Blue is fancied to show he can go quicker than his trial of 28.33 and potentially win this event.

4.47 – Heat 5

The original inclusion of Alien Planet in the Select Stakes raised a few eyebrows in greyhound circles due to his lack of racing but there is no doubt this dog has speed. What is his temperament though? He could be barking mad for all I know! Therefore, the recommendation is to go for the quietly impressive Castlebride Dan who ran well in the Derby and has the tools to win from in front or behind.

5.07 – Heat 6

An interesting heat to conclude with Holloway Road starting to perform to the potential he showed in his early career having seemingly mastered the boxes but he is drawn next to the ever-dangerous Farloe Iceman who would win this with ease if he is back to his best. If those two slug it out on the inside and Monaghan Jack makes his normal dash for the rails at the first bend, then the well-drawn antepost tip of Fridays Daryl can leave the tardy starter Fridays Shea at the boxes and dominate out wide. I’m worried about Iceman though!!

So there are my thoughts on the races and briefly about the Puppy Classic it has to be said that Ballymac Eske is surely too short for the tournament. Yes, it is presumably his perfect distance but he has shown he can lose and I’m not sure he likes overtaking dogs too much either (trust me, I know the feeling!). The value is surely with Killieford Deal who has shown great desire in his brief career and it has been mentioned in other circles, but watch out for Droopys Ed Moses, he is a potential superstar stayer in the making and could find his trapping boots here: a worry to all if he does!

As ever, if you have any comments or thoughts please tweet me and I’ll be glad to get off the sofa and talk to you.

Enjoy the racing,

Jimmy