My colleagues return to Sky Sports this evening with the final of the intriguing contest that is the 3 Steps to Victory being supported by a classy undercard. The Lolly Faithful currently have their treats riding on Romeo Recruit at 16/1 each-way antepost and the question is: will he stay? Whilst I’ll be barking at the screen like a lunatic in the final stages as my colleague is gasping for air, I think his breeding and his running style suggest he will just about get there. More on that later but let’s first look at where the value is for the Lolly Faithful as that is the name of the game:

19:34 – Puppies

Teddy The Legend has a lot to live up to given the nature of his name but he should not dent the credibility of his self-proclaimed Legend status by winning here. Indeed, there is a certain arrogance about this litter with Golden Wonder believing he owns the rails and Young Golden waiting until a final to win in style, but these brothers are blessed with serious pace and ability. Droopys Odell was runner-up in the Gymcrack and has a decent draw but The Legend can make-all and begin his quest to gain legendary status like some of us.

19:49 – Hurdles

Whilst I was sunbathing today on the lawn I briefly rested my eyes, which I’m sure you will agree is acceptable for a dog to do in his retirement, but my problem is that when I awoke this race has been put to SP and so I must have missed something. I’ve been pawing all over the internet and I have heard a rumour that my colleague in trap 4 is a non-runner but there is no barking at the kennels about this so I am confused. I assume all six run. As we are trying to find value, it is therefore a non-treatworthy race but I expect Soviet Military to dominate on the outside. A lack of a look round is a concern as he will not know if he is on a 12 or 13 stride pattern between the hurdles, but us dogs are more adaptable than humans and he can swoop round the outside. Mash Mad Snowy has pace but is a dog without a distance (and now seemingly discipline) and Green Amigo is a former A1 competitor here but is struggling to get his head in front at the crucial time to win a race.

20:04 – Stayers

The reason I took my first nap this afternoon instead of the usual 3 naps in the morning is that I have been busily getting my doggie treats on this race. Aghaburren Paddy at 4/1 and now 7/2 (the bookmakers must have got tired of converting money into doggie treats to pay me) is huge value for this versatile dog who is extremely hard to beat on the bunny over any distance: he can lead these. Farloe Kyle has early and determination in front but he is a railer and lacks consistency, so I am willing to take him on and therefore Paddy can gain a cheap lead. He also has a good run with Hather Sherlock and Granard Bound lacking early and if either of those can get themselves close in the final stages they will pose a threat. Paddy will have too much power for them.

20:19 – Standard

It is great to see the return of Bucks Blade this evening and a tilt at the Derby looks the call for this classy individual. The Lolly Faithful were on Blade last year in the Derby and he ran very creditably to get to the Quarter-Finals, beating very useful sorts on his way to the last 24. He had a poor draw that night and just could not turn handy. That is a different story today. He is unbeaten at this track (3 from 3) and only has to confirm fitness issues to land this race and he looks very generously priced considering his calibre. Longwood Fantasy is an admirable sort who always gives his all but would not be joint-favourite with Blade this time last year. Phanters Capri is running well and so it would be remiss for me not to bark about her credentials, but Blade is a different class to her and these.

20:34 – Marathon

Now this is a marathon! I’m pretty sure we were not bred to go this far but here my colleagues will grind out a very long 8 bend trip and stamina will be a great issue. The remarkable comeback of Bubbly Capel for the last Sky meet was a great story for the Champagne Club and this bitch can gain a hold on this race in the first half and not be for catching. Whether Aero Rebel actually stays this far is questionable and her antics away from Romford are not encouraging: she is worth avoiding when away from home. Storming Coco is a terrific local bitch but is priced accordingly considering Bubbly Capel is a classy sort when right.

20:49 – Sprint

It must be said that this is one of the best dashes I’ve seen in a long while, probably since I was running, with all of these colleagues possessing serious 2 bend speed. The Golden Sprint winner Farloe Barracuda is still hard to get away from and whilst I would have given him a race to remember, these will probably struggle to cope with his explosive early. He will head to Wimbledon for the Derby soon and will be a player if he stays, which is of serious doubt after Droopys Loner nearly caught him in the Golden Sprint, but that is for another day and we can admire this dog’s pace in extremely good company today.

21:04 – 500m

Farloe Warhawk came back to form on Sunday just at the perfect time for a tilt at the Derby and his brother, Many Are Called, can show why he is heading to Wimbledon with his sibling by winning here. He fluffed his lines last time out but that is excusable, and the longer run to the bend over this trip will be ideal for his early to surge to the front. Whether he is in the same class as his brother is questionable but he can beat a decent field here. Longwood Bound ran well in the Arc before being outclassed in the final and a repeat dose could be on the cards here. Airlie Impact needs a galloping track for which Sheffield is arguably not and so he is best watched before returning to his beloved Hove; he does have a good draw, however, and is always a danger with his ability and pace.

21:19 – 3 Steps to Victory Final

The Lolly Faithful could once again be dining in style this evening with our antepost bet on Romeo Recruit and it is hard to envisage him not being at least in the melting pot around the final two bends. Then it is game on! My antepost analysis still remains (it can be found in full here http://is.gd/NlcpIj) that in his heat over 480m “Recruit will be laying down a marker here and if his breeding as a stayer is confirmed, he is worth siding with in the tournament at 16/1” and the fact his litter-brother has won over 6 bends bodes well for us tonight. If Welton Arthur can turn handy he is of course a huge danger but Jazz Tilly should have enough pace over the first 5 bends to give Arthur something to think about, which he has been prone to before, and that could be enough to seal it for Recruit. It is hard to make a case for Hather George over this trip now after his Semi final performance where he was being reeled in by Arthur and I would be backing Recruit to beat him over 4 bends in any case. Bubbly Jaytee will almost certainly stay this distance but has struggled in top-class company, which he has been pitched in all too often in his career.

So the recommendations for the Lolly Faithful are:

20:04: Aghaburren Paddy – 3 doggie treats @ 7/2

21:04: Many Are Called – 1 dog bone @ 5/2

So there are a dog’s thoughts on the proceedings and as ever please tweet or comment if you have anything to say and I’ll bark back at you in my usual fashion. They will need to come and catch the Recruit today and in all likeliness, he will not be for catching.

Enjoy the racing,

Jimmy