Well the Lolly faithtful are in for a treat tonight at Nottingham as they go to traps with two runners in the final of the Eclipse. With both Sawpit Sensation and Farloe Tango advised each-way for a few doggie treats then just a top 4 finish for either will get me barking from the rooftops (if I can work out how to climb)! I will certainly be running round in a circle and wagging my tail furiously if either of them are close at the third bend and I will give a more detailed appreciation of the race later in the dog blog. Besides that, we have a competitive card and as ever at Nottingham, remember that Charlie Lister uses this track to school his puppies in the early stages of their career so they will all know the track inside out, regardless of what the form may tell you to the contrary! Here are a dog’s thoughts on the racing with some nice prices for the value-hunters club, for which I am a member of:

7:40 – 500m

The youngsters kick us off and it has not been made any easier for the little tykes in the fact that it is an all-railer field. The possibility of trouble looks more certain than Rylan appearing on The Only Way is Essex (and you thought I wasn’t a fan of Saturday Night T.V. from my sofa!) and so the likely winner is the pup that leads for me. Therefore, the call is to side with Farley Seymour to overcome the stripes and attack the first bend and pinch an unassailable lead. The obvious danger is the strong Teejays Bluehawk but he normally has to overtake the whole field and against youngsters it will be no easy feat and his draw in trap 5 adds further claims to Seymour having a good draw to work from. Romeo Hi Rumble is progressive but again leaves himself too much to do for me with so many railers likely to be in front of him.

8:00 – 480m

Whilst times can often be misleading due to questionable going allowances, the fact that Bit View Micko is the recent track-record holder shows he has enough pace to pick these up. Indeed, Droopys Vito recently returned from a lengthy lay-off and whilst he is respected and does have a good draw, he hasn’t had a run round Nottingham (although normally not a huge negative) and will be running mid-to-wide which would give Micko room to exploit on the inside. Boher Chieftain is a dog that is ignored at your peril but has shown that he is uncomfortable with dogs being too close to him on the inside and the fact he struggles to fully get the 480m (a fact Lister has recognised) means that if Micko is close to him, he may just run out of legs. The worry could be Final McCoy who has his moments of blistering pace but is far too inconsistent to consider a selection on a regular basis, and is rather feared than backed in races.

8:15 – 500m

The lads line-up in this affair and despite my annoyance at not being able to get my doggie treats on a bet with most firms, I have managed to get a few of my beloved chewstix on Romeo Recruit in this one. Yes, he was disappointing in the Eclipse but is far more suited to a middle-berth (which he was denied the luxury of in the Semis) and Longwood Fantasy is one of the most overrated dogs in training for me. Fantasy is undoubtedly one of the fastest of my colleagues around but he wins too few for his pace and tends to go down as an “unlucky-second” too much for my liking considering the shortness of his price. The fact his trapping is often awry will play further into the hands of Recruit who dominated the Produce Stakes round here with consummate ease (I may have been reading a dictionary in my retirement!). Killieford Khali is a progressive Lister youngster and mustn’t be discounted but he would prefer to be in 6 and the fact he likes to cut the bend may put the end to his chances with Recruit likely to be there as a powerful force on his inside. If that is the case and Recruit turns in front, this race will be Romeo done.

8:35 – 305m

It’s amazing how many top class sprinters have appeared since I hung up my collar (maybe they were too intimidated to leave their kennel) and in this race we have two who are worthy of my former crown of Sprinter of the Year. From a sprinter’s perspective, I prefer Jumeirah Dubai as he is more of a known quantity than Drumna Ice and with the latter not having his best draw in 4 (being a wide runner who has also not had a trial round here) would mean any mistakes from Ice and Dubai will be away-and-gone. Before I receive tons of angry letters through my kennel box citing my hypocritical approach to Lister’s runner here, Ice was a late purchase for the trainer from Ireland and so will not have the normal experience of his runners around here. Whack Wallop is no mug and Fridays Dynamo has pace which could also further hinder Ice on the outside. If Dubai wins, my doggie double will have come in (with Recruit) and I will be off to the U.A.E myself (although I’ll definitely be a hot dog over there!).

8:50 – 905m

Just when I thought these maniac marathon performers couldn’t run any longer, they are now running over 905m: absurd! Anyways, one bitch who definitely gets this distance and can foil a gamble on Aero Rebel is Tyrur Pudsy (“he’s finally picked a Lister dog”, I hear you cry!). These marathons are always tough to call these days without a dependable superstar but these two look a slightly different class to the field and although Rebel flew round over 6 bends here, she will be crying out for the line from what I have seen. This is an extreme distance and although Pudsy is definitely one-paced, her one-pace goes on forever and she can pick up these, even if Rebel is miles clear. Indeed, after he recent exertions on Children In Need, it would be fitting for Pudsy to continue her winning streak after her T.V. appearance (I really do need to get out more don’t I? Don’t answer that! :P).

9:10 – 500m

With the six-bend race failing to fill it is the turn of the ladies here and who doesn’t like a bitches race? I, for one, will be glued to the television! Farloe Elektra would have been one of those hopefuls in the binned stayers race and she will be a handful if turning close, but she is not known for overtaking and over this distance she may not be allowed the luxury of the lead. The bitch that looks set to get back to winning ways for me is Ballymac Floreck who has been disappointing of late, but has a tinge of class and should have enough room if she does indeed move slightly middle from the blue box. The unknown entity of Calzaghe Naomi cannot be ignored but it will be tough for her in her first race against five of the fairer sex and she is best watched for now, hopefully not at the front galloping away! The other danger is Salacres Gem, but as her litter-brothers share the same problem as her in not wanting to overtake and go-on away from the field if it is close (see Meadow Bank Owl and Excellent Boy for examples), I think that she is best swerved in open class. The fact Gem fails to have a diamond draw as a railer doesn’t bode well for the bitch either (does that pun work? Answers posted to my kennel box).

9:25 – 500m

This is a very competitive race but the three standout contenders can be seperated when considering their draws. Bold Three was very assertive in his win last week but that was third time lucky for him (ironic hey?) since a lay-off and he can’t be trusted to produce a run like that time-and-time again. His presence means that Newmarket Flyway isn’t likely to get his own way throughout the race which he often needs due to his back-running style but he of course wins if he is close to the likely leader: Tyrur Willyjoe. Willyjoe came to these shores with a decent reputation in Ireland but took time to find his paws. Now, he is showing signs of a gutsy front-runner who chases the bunny with great desire (I know how he feels!) and tonight is the night he is expected to really come-of-age for me. A great run round the outside can land this one for Willy.

9:45 – 500m

Another “Willie” is fancied to win the Eclipse and send the Lolly faithful to bed very happy: Sawpit Sensation. This race has more connotations than one cares to think of but whatever the outcome of the inside 5, Sensation is set for a solo out-wide and you ignore this dog at you’re peril (ask my colleagues in Ireland about their Derby efforts against him!). He has finished outside the top 3 in one of his last twenty-seven starts (he sounds like me!) and he will run through a brick wall for you and will not give in. Whilst the inside dogs are likely to be scrimmaging (unless Taylors Sky or Hather George get an absolute flier), this will pave the way for Sensation to produce a sensational turn of foot down the back-straight. The dog blog followers are on Farloe Tango as well and with all of his quirks, he could destroy this field if he feels like it (maybe I need to have a bark with him) but the fact that Sky and Paddy are likely to get in each other’s way, and George is probably not quick enough to beat all of these without ridiculous trouble, watch out for Sensation. He will be coming for you!

So there are a dog’s thoughts on the proceedings tonight on what could be a very prosperous night for the Lolly faithful in terms of food for the next few weeks/months/years (dependent on steaks placed of course!). As ever please tweet or comment if you have any thoughts on my opinions but I must warn you I am a bit sensitive after some tough news about one of my hobbies today. During my retirement I have enjoyed a round of golf and it is a sad day for me with the news that belly-putters are set to be banned (I struggle to grip the short putter with my paws) and so whilst my scores on golf tracks is likely to shoot through the roof, my score on dog tracks will increase dramatically with a Sensational win tonight. Go get them Sawpit!

Enjoy the racing,

Jimmy

When the Sky cameras descend upon Wimbledon it always seems to be a great card and tonight is no exception with some fascinating racing to get my paws into. What a shame if the contract with Sky is not renewed as I for one think they are vital for the sport’s promotion and as a former competitor, I used to love preening myself knowing I would be screened across the nation on the parade (and then winning the race of course! :P). That rests with the powers that be and all a dog can do is focus on picking the Lolly faithful a few winners tonight and that is what I intend to do! Here are a dog’s thoughts on the races:

7:40 – 480m

With a vast array of supremely talented pups plying their trade across the country at the moment it really is exciting times to be involved with top-class racing and one dog who looks destined for the top is Islas Scolari. This dog has pace to burn and a never-say-die attitude: what is not to like! His form is solid with a very respectable loss to Lemon Pluto (one of those rising stars) being his only real blemish over the past two months (he ran a blinder to stay close if you ask me!). Scolari is still young and is thus learning the ropes but has a great run tonight with the King Nicky and Dinner Hunter set to keep a wide course and Joscar looking for the mid-to-rails (the latter is also susceptible to missing the break and has not trialled around the C&D). The danger is in the form of Jaytee Hellcat but drawn in 1 is not ideal for this greyhound and he may come into some trouble with Joscar if he tries to move middle on the run up. This looks a race that all of my doggie treats will be going on and Scolari shouldn’t let me down (if he does it will be a very hungry night for yours truly!).

8:00 – 273m

Rumours circulating that I was set to make a shock reappearance for this race were sadly unfounded for my loyal following: the sofa is far too comfy these days! That said, what a race this is! Of course most of these used to get a great view of my back legs but my old nemesis Lil Risky seems to have lost his appetite slightly (maybe he needs some of my treats?) and You Mind Me always does it the hard way by missing the break. Either of those class acts could win but the bitch that put the final nail in the coffin when it comes to my career,Fernhill Jess, has subsequently gone from strength to strength and has a great draw tonight with the aforementioned tardy trapping of You Mind Me on her inner. The two wide dogs are respected but Jess will have too much pace for them over this long run up and if she can turn the bend, she gets the 273m comfortably and can take her tally to 21 wins for the year (don’t talk to me about records for wins over a year, I still have nightmares about Hove!*). This should be a belter of a race.

8:15 – 480m

Regular readers of the dog blog will know how I think Alien Planet is a great dog but is overrated in top class company and that is what he faces tonight. There is too much emphasis being placed on his shock win on Derby final night and whilst he has progressed, he will not get things all of his own way in this race with Farloe Ironman likely to move middle from trap 1 on the run-up as he did during the Derby in May. It was a great effort from Ironman to make the final of the English Derby but asides from him perplexingly going off favourite for the Classic, he struggles from the red box at Wimbledon and is to be swerved at the prices. Indeed, he does not quite seem the dog he was earlier in the year which is shown by his form at his beloved Hove not being as imperious as in his earlier career (this may be slightly harsh as he has been up against top class colleagues such as Bridge Ruth). There are doubts for me over Ironman enough to suggest that if there is trouble between the rails moving Planet and the mid-moving Ironman, this could pave the way for one of the others. With Westmead Maldini being a true credit to connections and the great, late dam Mega Delight it would be no surprise to see him pick this field up but he is a railer and tardy trapping has been his downfall at most venues over 4 bends and it is exacerbated at Wimbledon (he had a real chance in the Derby two years ago when he was in arguably his best 4 bend form). Therefore, because he is likely to start poorly and move toward the rail from 5, the logical selection is Trevi You Go who might be the best drawn dog of the night. Although he is not in the same class as the rivals mentioned, he has enough pace on the bunny to spring a surprise if there is trouble behind, and trouble is what Jimmy expects!

8:35 – 687m

Well, some bitches really puzzle me (story of my life!) and the biggest puzzle of them all these days is Express Trend. She seems to have it all to me and has been the bearer of many doggie treats for me in the past but she just tends to throw in a ridiculously poor performance now and again inexplicably! I’ve heard murmurings in the kennel that she is prone to get over-excited before racing and perhaps expends too much energy being so enthusiastic about chasing the hare (us dogs can’t get enough of those bunnies!) so this could be the reason for the odd performances but whatever the reason, on her day I would have my treats on her in any six bend race. This looks a good make-up for her to show why I have faith in her (maybe she wants some make-up, who knows!) as she can turn at least handy to likely pace-setter Coolavanny Fairy and make Fairy disappear on the second circuit (sorry I couldn’t resist!). The danger is Bubbly Swallow but she is another bitch that puzzles the life out of me and seems to work best when leading which looks unlikely in this race. Express Trend normally makes these sorts of opponents look very ordinary and I can see her turning on the style tonight (claws crossed!).

8:50 – 480mH

I’ve never really been a fan of hurdles as regular readers will know that I used to be so fast out that I would bang my head on the first one, and this race goes to prove it is hard to find a winner in these contests of late. There doesn’t seem to be a superstar around at the moment of the ilk of Plane Daddy and more recently Olivers Twist and so these contests over the sticks are wide-open. I thought that All Sensation was impressive at Belle Vue last time out and jumped fluently to hold off local hope Barnagrane Barry but his jumping at Wimbledon is questionable having clattered the fourth hurdle in his trial (they aren’t that easy to jump you know!). He is a tentative selection with Lenson Teddy likely to hold up Farloe Bowser but then not quite stay the 480m and Airforce Spririt being erratic. Good luck to anyone brave enough to pick one of these to win with any confidence!

9:10 – 894m

A good selection of marathon performers assemble here and the first comment is that Pony Bride is best swayed after she was given a great opportunity at Belle Vue to overtake her rivals and instead backed off (lame or tired by the looks of it to me). She let the Lolly faithful down badly and I’ve heard that they don’t forgive and forget easily! Dromana Becky is giving her all as a 6 year old (she does know she can retire, right?) but doesn’t quite get this trip anymore (can’t blame her!) and Powerfast Pigeon is nowhere near the force she was a year ago. This leaves it between the heavily supported Capoley Ash and Storm Pockets. Ash never really settled at Paul Sallis’ kennels but suggestions that that was the trainer’s fault are way beyond the mark as Sallis is a top trainer and his dogs always perform to their absolute optimum: it just didn’t work for Ash for some reason (suspected injury is one rumour). Ash has put in a good trial round the 6 bend course here for his new trainer and those with better memories than mine, a dog’s, will remember he loves it round this circuit: the gamble is understandable. What I think that those following Ash have failed to equate for is that this is a long 8-bend course and that plays perfectly into the pockets of Storm (are the puns getting worse?) who will begin her assault on the second circuit. Anything like a clear run, which should be given by the ineffectual Pigeon, on the rails and Pockets will pick-up-a-dog-or-two on the way to winning this one.

9:25 – 480m

Has the Oaks started, been through the Semis, and now I have awoken on the sofa to see the final? No? Well, this would be a credit to the final as many of the greyhound world have suggested and will give huge clues as to how these bitches fancy their chances against each other. Droopys Loner is in no doubt the best front-running bitch in the country but her exertions in the Derby this year show one thing: she does not get this trip. She may be too far gone tonight (and indeed in the Oaks) for this to matter but I have a sneaking suspicion that Bridge Ruth has a tinge of class about her that is different to these bitches and she can pick up Loner tonight. Loner may cut across her but the likelihood of Ruth leading the pacy Droopys Hope (who does her best running down the back) and the railing Belvedere Emma (who looks slightly outclassed in this company) means that she will be set up to mount a serious challenge to Droopys Loner, who’s fan club is nearly as large as mine! In saying this, Ruth’s efforts in the Irish Derby by reaching the Fourth Round is the equivalent of Airforce Diva but the latter’s poor trapping leaves her open to a world of trouble which will be too much considering Loner is likely to run her standard 28.70 pace tonight: that is the mark to beat! I, for one, would argue the Irish Derby Fourth Round is of the same class as the English Derby Semi-Final and whilst that could be debated for eternity, the one fact is that Loner got picked up by three dogs on that night and she only needs Ruth to turn behind her tonight for another tantalisingly close loss to be on the cards.

9:45 – 687m

This is going to be a cracker! Blonde Fletch and Blonde Reagan are likely to ping out with Peggys Style following them which should make a great race out front. Yet, as Mark Wallis has acknowledged both of his pair (Fletch and Reagan) need to lead and they might be their own worst enemeies as they are jostling out front vying for the early lead. Whilst Reagan will likely prevail over his kennel-mate this jostling looks like it could set-up the race for a strong sort in Peggys Style (who was bought from Ireland to run over longer) and Ballyard Buddy. Those on Buddy antepost at 9/2 will still be holding that ticket knowing he was still 4/1 this morning (that price disappeared quicker than I could trap!) but he is far too big as this dog will run through a brick wall reinforced with steel girders that has been concreted over. He can get into trouble and can ill-afford that tonight but with a clear run he is fancied to get his first victory of the competition (and the all-important one!) and with the likely pace-setters battling each other instead of focussing on conserving energy, Buddy will be gaining momentum as he overtakes them round the last.

So there are a dog’s thoughts on the racing and bearing in mind Wimbledon is not my favourite track (I could never run that pesky bend!), I’m sure people will have opinions so please tweet or comment and I promise to respond (as long as I am not napping on the sofa!). Good luck and let’s hope Buddy is my friend tonight!

Enjoy the racing,

Jimmy

* See http://www.racingpost.com/greyhounds/result_home.sd#resultDay=2010-12-30&raceId=1070681