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