Well, it was a night for the favourites yesterday with some stunning displays of pace as the big dogs laid down there credentials for the tournament. Ironically the biggest gamble of the night flopped as South Armagh looked like he had packed his doggie bags for home already, but that in itself shows that one race form is a dangerous marker. Most of Team Lolly are out tonight and if the much debated going was favouring the inside last night, we are hoping for a wider bias this evening that is for sure! Here are the thoughts for the second instalment of the Second Round:

Heat 9 – 19:54

An intriguing contest to begin proceedings but it is hard to see why Farloe Warhawk is as big as 5/2 and he can defy those dismissive odds tonight. He was overhauled last week at the third bend, but that was to the highly regarded Holborn Junior who I suspect was more forward than Warhawk. He can lead or turn behind the fast-away Stonepark Crash and show his credentials this evening as he loves it round Wimbledon. Priceless Sky was fortunate to qualify last week and will need to step his game up, whole my colleague Farloe Buddy seems the main danger but will need a career-best effort to overhaul Draper’s powerhouse.

Heat 10 – 20:10

It’s a case of dogja vu here with three of the protagonists from the clash of the first round lining up again. Eske has a better draw than last week but Farloe Tango can show early if he fancies it and so connections of the Antepost favourite will hope he doesn’t decide to do it today. Eske ran well to win the First Round but he still lacks a certain liking for the Plough Lane circuit and he looks a poor value 4/9 shot here. That is especially considering that Isabels Boy nearly got clear last week and the form of Garryglass Rodge as an early-paced merchant was franked last night with his all the way success. Boy will probably have Farkland Tyson to contend with at the first bend but he can assert this time and give Eske (and Tango) a real target to aim for: I suspect they may not prevail.

Heat 11 – 20:26

Jaytee Hellcat ran very well with a solo last week and he has landed a weak heat here which he could get a solo from again. The odds are reflective of his chances but it is hard to see how he does not saunter into the Third Round.

Heat 12 – 20:42

Reel Trickyone ran the race of his life in the First Round and his presence in trap 2 could be bad news for the dogs outside him, especially Loughteen Blanco who looked a shadow of himself last week (maybe on purpose). An eye catching run from Smiler Jack accompanied by his rails draw means he is worth a doggie treat here to turn handy and overhaul the early birds. He needs further of course, but he liked the look of Wimbledon last time out and he is value to prevail here.

Heat 13 – 20:58

One of the heats of the round has many connotations including how Shaneboy Alley’s fall has affected him. He jumped over the rail after the race to avoid further confrontation with Fridays Shane and whilst it might have shook him up, he’s had a week to recover and a top class dog shouldn’t be too perturbed with jealous colleagues: I certainly wasn’t! He has a good draw next to the surprise Gymcrack winner, Young Golden, and Knockglass Billy is capable of pinging and asserting on the inside. If that is the case I would fancy Alley to assert in the second half and progress for Team Lolly. Money Talks is perhaps being overhyped by those with dollar on him and Holborn Junior is a could-be-anything type who ran very well in the First Round: we should know by now that one race form can be misleading!

Heat 14 – 21:15

This is the type of race that Benkaat Blue thrives in with little searing early pace meaning he can steal a cheap lead and he is hard to pass on the bunny. Slick Santiago is fast but is more injury prone than Kieron Dyer and he is capable of throwing in a dire performance as a result. Blue to make all here.

Heat 15 – 21:32

Skate On really did get her skates on in the First Round and it is hard to envisage her not leading here again as she is a consistent trapper. Her problem lies in the last 80m and Eden Star can turn second and assert from thereon. His progress later in the tournament will depend on him producing more early than the First Round effort however.

Heat 16 – 21:48

Some serious heavyweights line-up here and it will be a great way to finish this round! Lemon Pluto is an unknown quantity from his draw but he and Shaneboy Spencer may hinder themselves on the inside to put there chances in doubt. If that occurs it will be set up for Screen Critic to assert from the outside but in value terms, Holdem Spy has the pace to pick anything up in this tournament and he can showcase his claims for the tournament here by accounting for Critic. The change if venue has done Spy the world of good based on his First Round performance and he is underrated at your peril.

So there are my thoughts for the proceedings this evening. As ever please tweet or comment if you have anything to say about the dog blog or Team Lolly as a whole. It should be intriguing tonight but the last race captures the imagination, and Spy will be searching and hunting down his rivals, I am confident of that!