After an extremely good evening last night for the Lolly Faithful which included all of Team Lolly progressing (how Farloe Tango did is still baffling me!), we move on to the second half of the First Round this evening. On pawper it is a weaker card but with that there is definitely some value to be capitalised on and here are my thoughts:

Heat 14

Newinn Rocket is a talented colleague of mine who is blessed with early pace and determination which are the prerequisites for a good dog at Wimbledon. He sadly has had injuries throughout his career but he should have too much pace and power to make-all ahead of Frisby Barney. Smiler Jack is likeable but has a poor draw and needs longer.

Heat 15

One of Ireland’s big guns starts his campaign here and he can cheat a paw draw in 4 and power home in front. Priceless Sky has all-round pace and can therefore account for the sprinter’s pace of Skate On and Head Case and assert from the third bend onwards. He will have tougher challenges to come!

Heat 16

Droopys Loner was terribly unlucky not to make the final last year when she finished 4th in her Semi-Final. Her blistering early is a joy to watch at Wimbledon and she captured the imagination of many who thought a bitch could make the final. Whether she is quite as effective these days is another question but she can get her campaign off to an all-the-way success. Ballyhill Sub has come from Ireland with a reputation of early too, but has shown very little liking for the Plough Lane circuit and is to be avoided until he gets the hang of it, if he ever does that is.

Heat 17

Loughteen Blanco is another tailor-made Wimbledon sort and he can steal a cheap lead here and repel off all-comers. Whether he will be able to pinch the lead later in the competition is up for debate but he has a good draw here and it will take a fast dog to catch him. That fast dog may well be Holdem Spy who is part of Team Lolly due to his raw pace and ability to keep qualifying. He will be swooping late and could dishearten Blanco backers, but the value is to side with Seamus Cahill’s star.

Heat 18

The Golden Sprint winner, Farloe Barracuda, has been lined up for this tournament since that victory (and maybe before) and his blistering early is surely going to see him progress quite far in the tournament. The fact that Droopys Loner was making an impression on him over the 400m at Romford does not bode well for his chances long term however, as Loner was found to be a short-runner at Wimbledon last year eventually. He may have Glanmire Lad to contend with on the run-up today too, and so this could pave the way for the Irish raider Cabra Buck to pinch the lead after the two speed-merchants begin to tire.

Heat 19

A weakish looking heat is tough to call here but the value for me lies with Droopys Pride who has all-round ability, albeit in lesser class. Fermoy Henry wins his fair share but again in lower class affairs to a Category One tournament and Power Of God has trialled poorly since arriving from the Emerald Isle.

Heat 20

Longwood Warrior has huge pace and if my colleague can clear his head and keep his eyes on the prize, he can go a long way in the tournament. With the withdrawal of fast-away Barefoot Allstar, Warrior now has a great run and his sheer pace should be too much for these. Droopys Ed Moses is powerful but will be destined for better things over 6 or 8 bends.

Heat 21

Coolavanny Bert is a likeable sort who just does not know when he is beaten, including with injuries! The Derby Finalist, if fit, is a big player this year but he may have to succumb to the race-fit Fire Height Spec on this occasion as Spec needs no invitation to get on the bunny.

Heat 22

The Priceless dog that has slipped under the radar is Rumble who has great pace from the third bend onwards. Whether he will get too far adrift later in the tournament is neither here nor there as he should be able to account for Money Talks (who broke poorly in a trial stakes) and the all-round pace of Longwood Bound.

Heat 23

Team Lolly reemerges again with Farloe Warhawk flying the flag for us and he can show that he is not an odds-against bark in this race. Holborn Junior is lightly-raced but certainly has pace so may threaten briefly. Judicial Ruling is also part of Team Lolly but his fitness is based on trust rather than proof.

Heat 24

This looks a tussle between the Irish raiders Cambushmore and Stonepark Crash. Preference is for the latter after a very useful 4.70 sectional in his trial meaning that he has taken to the boxes at Plough Lane well. He can make all.

Heat 25

Bittles Bar has clearly been on his European Tour but now he returns to his homeland he can remind people of his pace and ability. Taranis Rex is likeable and a nice friend of mine but his injury-plagued career means that he is one to support with watching eyes rather than my beloved doggie treats. Bubbly Rocky has a lovely draw but whether he can keep up with Bar is another issue.

Heat 26

The final heat of this mammoth First Round is an intriguing one with Shelbourne Geoff being a stalwart of last year’s Derby. He has a paw draw in 4 though and so the pace of Shaneboy Spencer with his flying Romford trials can see him home. Benkaat Blue is always capable of putting in a big performance but the odds fully justify the chances of him doing so.

So there are my thought’s on the proceedings. As ever please tweet or comment if you have anything to say and I’ll bark right back at you! With the Warrior and the Warhawk tonight, the Lolly Faithful go to battle!