Well it looks a cracking night of racing at Romford this evening culminating in a wide-open Champion Stakes final as Reel Trickyone looks to complete a remarkable treble of Category One tournaments over the course and distance. He still looks opposable, however, and I will bark about that in greater deal later! The supporting card has a real punters look to it as the Essex track is shown live to us each Friday night and so the form is there for us all to see on the card and on the screens. As ever, I have found some value for the Lolly Faithful and tonight is not for the faint-hearted, as we have plenty of doggie treats to place on the racing! Here are my thoughts:

19:34 – Stayers

Effectively the consolation race to the main event this evening, it looks to me as a race of whoever makes the 2nd bend in front will take a lot of catching. Taking one-race form too literally is often a quick way to the paw house and with that in mind, it is worth chancing Pharisee Flyer to not miss the break horrendously (as he did in the Semi-Finals of the Champion Stakes last week) and return to his impressive front-running displays that have seen him go close to the track record at Romford. His draw is very workable with the admirable but ageing Hather George on his inside missing the break a lot more these days and even if he does come out, he tends to go up pretty straight. That is the total opposite of what Buoy Johnny does in trap 5 as he attempts to have a meal in the restaurant on his way round. Therefore, Flyer can ping out and resume his all-conquering ways and looks a nice price to do so. Blackstone Marco is consistent but has the dreaded trap 1 box to contend with over this C&D and is a type who always seems to prefer to lead, despite plugging on gamely if he does not. Steves Dream is a local hero for his pinging antics but he tends to start thinking about other things rather than the bunny when he leads and waits for his mates.

19:49 – Bitches

I love watching a good bitches contest and here we see the belle of Romford in the form of Borna Karma. Equally as devastating out of 5 as 6, this wide bitch can clock sub-24 seconds around the Essex circuit and that is at least 2 lengths better than these can muster at their best. Call Me Millie can produce good efforts over 2 and 4 bends but she is no match for the selection in a normal clash.

20:04 – Puppy

The young tykes have a go here and if Lenson Tiggy could ever learn to ping like me he could turn into a serious Category One prospect. He simply does not come out though and until he does, he is best just watched as his early gears and desire to drive the first and second bends are a joy to behold. If he is not on his toes today then Corner Hero could give him a serious target to aim at if he pings like he did in the heats. It is hard to see the others getting involved although Kakantu appears well-drawn.

20:19 – Stayers

Baliff Turbo could not have been more impressive on his first effort over the stayers distance at Romford last week and provided he can produce a half-decent break from the aforementioned woeful trap 1 box, he can make-all here. Bubbly Beauty has sadly been regressive since her win in the Puppy Derby at the back end of last year but if she can get out in front, it would be interesting to see if she stays this trip as the 480m at Wimbledon appeared to be her maximum, even when she was in flying form. Millwards Joker went the fastest of these last week but the assessment has to be that there is more to come from Turbo over this sort of trip, especially considering that despite it being out of his grasp (presumably because he has paws and can’t grip) his connections felt him worthy enough to compete in the Irish Derby.

20:34 – Hurdles

The jumpers are on display here although that is a loose description of what Cornamaddy Jumbo actually does when faced with an obstacle. He simply ploughs his way through most of the fences and the softer hurdles at Romford definitely help him out more than the more rigid ones at tracks like Wimbledon. In barking that, he still has numerous top class wins over proper hurdles and that is simply because he has ludicrous pace. He showed that last year in Ireland on the flat before he came to these shores and is so difficult to overtake once he hits the front, which he normally does. Irish Grand National champion Jetstream Reason is respected but is a dog who wants the rails at all costs and will not be happy drawn off the fence (impressive last week from trap one) so it is Jumbo’s to lose here. It’s not pretty, but he could do 24 seconds over hurdles given a clear run which is faster than some of the standard races will be won in tonight: a frightening prospect.

20:49 – Standard

The two market leaders here both have to lead and with that in mind, it looks a very winnable race for Cape Impact in his favourite trap 1 box. More renowned for his sprinting, he got caught in the heats last week over this 400m but if he can slip clear again, a similar performance could win tonight. He has won over 416m at his local track of Monmore and whilst he clearly does not stay strongly, he could out-rail this field and slip clear. Of course, if Putdownyourfoot (bought for 10,000 doggie treats) or Bishops Wood (highly progressive young tyke) get a run to the bend and lead the selection it is all over but I suspect Impact can lead these up and he is a game, albeit short-runner that might just not be passed.

21:04 – Marathon

The favourite, Old Refrain, is a bitch I like to take on at short prices as whilst she is impressive over marathon trips some days, she seems to take an age to pass dogs on others (for whatever reason). Therefore, Flawless Floyd is huge value to skip clear of this field and if he can get close to his personal best sort of time, not even Refrain should be able to catch him. He missed the break last week but that can be forgiven and the fact he came back to win on the line shows that his heart is in the game and he has a desire to get to that bunny first. He is 6 wins from 9 starts over the course and distance and he looks way too big against the quirky favourite.

21:19 – Champion Stakes Final

With 5 seeded dogs in the field that all seemingly have to lead to be seen at their best, the bark in this race is surely the railer who whilst he wins less than he should do, is too big at 8/1 to go one better than he did last week when runner-up to Reel Trickyone in a game effort. Longrange Denis is not a natural railer (like Cape Impact earlier for instance) but he stays close enough to the rails to turn 3rd or 4th here and gradually pick them off as the dogs ahead of him are vying to get to the front. Reel Trickyone is an unknown out of trap 2 and he simply has to lead, which is not guaranteed from such an inside draw. Fivestar Clipper wins this if he beats Soviet Kenny out of the boxes but the way that Puppy Classic finalist came out last week and went straight right (even out of trap 6) suggests his draw in 5 is a huge hazard for Clipper. Sinbad did well to win last week but that was probably down to Soviet Kenny (first time at the trip) did not stay rather than his exploits being particularly admirable. Denis to outstay them in a messy race for me.

Here are the recommendations:

21:19 – Longrange Denis – 1 breast of chicken @ 8/1

So there are my thoughts on the proceedings! As ever, please tweet me if you have any comments and I promise to bark back at you with all the vigour I will be showing at the TV when Baliff Turbo leads tonight! It should be a fascinating night’s racing and the Lolly Faithful are firing a lot of doggie treats at the bookies tonight: let’s hope we get more back!

Enjoy the racing,

Jimmy

The Sky cameras return to Sheffield this evening with a classy final of the TV Trophy taking centre stage at its new venue. The Lolly Faithful have one of the outsiders in that contest, Fearsome Liberty, but she has always shown immense potential over a ridiculous trip and let’s hope she can fulfil that tonight! Owlerton Stadium is a specialists track with the bends being particularly long and prominent so the strong local contingent of my colleagues always tend to fare well at their home track (often being neglected in the market to their more famous adversaries) and so although the card looks as though it lacks strength-in-depth, there could be a few upsets this evening. I’ve taken the time from sleeping on my sofa to rule my paw over the form tonight and as ever, I have found some value for the Lolly Faithful:

19:34 – Puppy

The young tykes have a go here and based on the draw, it is worth taking on the favourite Droopys Cortez. He is bred to stay further based on his sire, Aero Majestic, being a courageous front-running 6 bend dog and with that in mind, he can be opposed at short prices while he continues to have to try and weave his way through a field. He did that well in his debut race to win but this is a step up in quality with the likes of out-of-sorts Snappers Lad capable of stealing a march on the inside and holding up Cortez sufficiently. Therefore, the value is the well-drawn, consistent Office Contact who has the sectionals to lead the outside, has his box in trap 6 and although he can miss the break (as these pesky youngsters often do!), any sort of run close to his latest progressive win can see him land the spoils here.

19:49 – Sprint

Everyone’s favourite race sees a couple of unexposed types over the optimum distance go to battle once again in the form of Geelo Vegas and Mill Jolson. Whilst Jolson showed all of the pinging qualities as a puppy that you would associate with a nice sprinter, Vegas’ early comfortably accounted for him last week and now he is drawn inside of him, he can follow up. In Ireland, Vegas (ex-Cashen Joe) could throw in a paw break but with Droopys Pride set to rail next to him, he can have the room even if he does miss it slightly this evening to pace up and assert. United Leeds needs a draw wider and if he pings could cause a bit of chaos as her runs off at the bend, but that is a minor concern based on the pace of Geelo Vegas.

20:04 – Novice

A bizarre decision to show a race for unraced-on-these-shores dogs on Sky is yet another baffling decision from the powers that be. Based on my card-reading ability, Graigues Diva is a tentative selection. Obviously any market support for these relatively unknown quantities should be heeded.

20:19 – Bitches

This is the part of the night when I am sat on the edge of my seat and there is a nice bitch in form here in Catrigg Croft to continue her impressive runs of late. Whilst her price is now about right having seen it contract over the course of the day, she has enough early to lead Aayamzamodel (needs further) and make the rails ahead of the even worse drawn Caseys Wonder.

20:34 – Super Stayers

It is hard to oppose Worsboro Phantom here over his optimum distance at a track he loves but Aayamzabella is always worth a glance when drawn in trap 1. She craves the rails more than I crave chicken breasts in my evening meal and whilst this trip is probably short of her peak and she is yet to win this calendar year, I can’t help but think she is overpriced from a wonderful make-up.

20:49 – 480m

The last time the Sky cameras were at Sheffield, Big Thrill delighted the locals and those at home by showing pace and power in his Maiden that looked like a real prospect in the making. He has the occasional pinger Blonde Razor on his inside but even if that dog (better seen on the bunny over a short 6 bends) gets a flier the way Big Thrill powered to the bend showed that he could lead Mark Wallis’ charge over this trip. Southern Mesut continues to be overrated over 4 bends (and perhaps 2) as he simply does not stay the 480m and the fact that he has Thrill on his inside and the rapid Mustang Blitz on his outer, he will need a flier to get clear of these. He is a very uneasy favourite to me as he is also capable of coming out horrendously and he has never been over the course and distance. Blitz rates the danger to me but if Thrill can clear Razor which I think he can do, he looks a big price to make the step up in class a winning one.

21:04 – Standard

This race is one that looks pretty straightforward as quite simply all of these dogs are seen to better effect when they lead. According to that theory, Conna Trigger can lead these and not be for catching. The brother of 2013 Classic winner Pinpoint Maxi has taken a while to come to his best form, but he has now beaten some very useful sprinters over a 2 bend trip and absolutely dotted up over course and distance last week. Whilst there have been substantial doggie treats for him today he is still worth backing at his price as he will take all the beating here.

21:19 – TV Trophy Final

Unless King Kane gets a flier and this becomes a procession (went a second quicker than anything in the field last time out), the track-record holder could be set for more of a tussle this evening. He has never won out of trap 4 and whilst he was a rails-seed in his younger days, the wide-tag and the step up to this maximum trip have seen him look imperious in his 2 wins thus far for new trainer Diane Henry. He meets some high-class sorts here and our antepost pick, Fearsome Liberty, is still being underrated in the market. She has gone off odds against in only one start over a trip further than 730m and if she can get a flier and reproduce her sectional from the semi-final, I think she can lead Kane tonight. She will have surely come on for the run last week which she looked like she badly needed as she was headed for second before bravely fighting back to clinch her spot in the final. Of course, Swift Vanessa has equally a good chance on her outside to get a flier and lead but at the prices Liberty still looks the value of the outside trio. Old Refrain got herself in all kinds of trouble in her semi-final victory which is becoming all-too-common in my eyes and whilst she has the pace and stamina to win, she makes awfully hard work of it for one reason or another. Burgess Borna and Supreme Rossie will be flying at the death but the winner comes from whichever of the 3 on the outside can lead on the first circuit: that could be Liberty.

Here are the recommendations

Fearsome Liberty – 1 dog bone broken in half @ 10/1

So there are my thoughts on the proceedings! As ever, please tweet me if you have any comments and I promise to bark back at you with all the enthusiasm that Big Thrill will give us if he turns handy this evening! Let’s hope Fearsome Liberty can ping like me and lead them a merry dance too: not asking for much am I!

Enjoy the racing,

Jimmy

It’s shaping up to be a cracking night in front of the Sky cameras this evening with a mixed card of distances leading to some seriously classy contests down on the South Coast. Hove is a regularly viewed track on a Thursday Night on Racing Post Greyhound TV so humans have a real opportunity to gain that crucial advantage over the bookies as they know these dogs so well. The only disappointing aspect of the night and it must be barked is that the legendary Farloe Tango is running before the live action begins? Like him or loathe him, he is a colleague of mine that deserves to be in front of the cameras and it seems like greyhound promoters constantly shoot themselves in the paw as to regards to entertaining the crowds. Anyways, we move on to the action where there is plenty of value to be had for the Lolly Faithful:

19:34 – Standard

This race is all about the draw and despite the withdrawal of two runners earlier this morning and thus the reduction in his price, Islas Scolari is still value to assert around the outside and gallop around a track he loves. Droopys Norris and Underground Paul are quietly fancied on the inside by many but both will have to clear the ever-game Express Master who despite not finishing his races out quite like he used to, is always reliable of a ping around here and pacing up to the bend. That will hinder Norris in particular and with Underground Paul reverting back to his old tactics of coming out hopelessly last time out in the Sussex Cup, Scolari can swoop round these late as he did in the first round of that aforementioned tournament. Master is the key in this race to holding up the fancied pair, and Scolari never needs a second invitation.

19:49 – Sprint

Everyone’s favourite race here had a plum draw for Southern Mesut before the withdrawal of Wee Tiger Tots on his outside. Tots is a lovely bitch but is infamous for over-shooting the bend and with her presence in 2, she would have caused carnage for the runners outside of her in all probability. Even without her in the race, Leameneigh Turbo is no railer in 3 and therefore Mesut can go up straight as he always does and improve on his quietly impressive 4 out of 5 record from trap 1. I, for one, questioned the great human Charlie Lister OBE for taking the “Wide” tag off Mesut but it seems to have worked the oracle with him as he is not hindered by the red box as you would have expected. Skate On is always dangerous as she can ping like me but the fact Zenas Boy managed to chase her down in the heats shows that she can be caught and in such a high-class affair, she can ill-afford any mistakes or falterings. Indeed, Boy has perhaps shown signs of not fully keeping his eyes on the prize in recent outings and his antics could maybe hinder both Skate On and the progressive Cheers Tony. Tony will need a career-best effort for me to win this as he has a few spots to find on Mesut but he rates the likeliest danger if Zenas Boy fails to come away. This really looks a simple race to call though.

20:04 – Hurdles

My colleagues have a go at jumping over some sticks here and there are some seasoned performers to scrutinise over. Whilst he has been out-of-sorts of late, Mash Mad Snowy relishes this long 4 bend trip over the obstacles and he has a good enough draw to use his back straight pace to full effect to claim this. Razldazl Butch is a frustrating sort and he will not be aided at all by Newinn Hawk who is a lively outsider as well as the rails-seeking Scolari Express. Whether Butch actually gets this trip is another concern and with all that in mind, Snowy is the bark in this race. Castleyons Cofi can hack up at any moment with a dazzling display: all too infrequently, though.

20:19 – Puppy Final

The young tykes have a go in their Final and it is worth chancing the promise shown by Droopys Bear being converted into his maiden win from a decent make-up. Millwards Teddy is a warm order and understandably considering the pace he has shown throughout his hectic career but he is a tardy starter who always looks like he prefers to be in trap 6, which he does not get here. With that considered, Bear can edge slightly left on the run-up as he had done in the heats and unless Droopys Beckett reproduces his miracle flier from his last race, it will become a straight tussle between Bear and the well-positioned Billys Bullet. When they opposed last week it was Bullet who emerged victorious but at the prices it has to be Bear to reverse that form. Down the back-straight they showed similar levels of pace and whilst therein Bullet asserted, Bear was somewhat green (as to be expected) around the third turn and seemed to lose his bearings and possibly pawings; if he can improve for that experience, I can see him going a lot closer than the 3 length winning margin suggested and he is worth chancing to improve.

20:34 – Stayers

A difficult race to call here with a vulnerable favourite in my eyes in the form of Droopys London. He has always shown pace throughout his career yet he wins too few for a dog of his ability and at 5/4 he is no value against some potentially progressive types over a trip. Polar Prospect is worth considering but he has never won out of trap 3 (5 starts) so that is a concern that he will hinder his chances too much from the start, even over 6 bends. Millwards Master could benefit from Prospect moving rails and London staying wide but the one of interest for me is the local Droopys Willis. In his only other previous attempt at the trip he galloped relentlessly from the outset (in a weak maiden) and whilst this is a step up in class, he has his favoured trap 1 to run from and is certainly positioned to outrun his odds. His performances in graded fare have been fairly backward since that emphatic victory over this trip but it is worth siding with him against the uneasy favourite to repeat that sub-14 sectional and steal a march on these.

20:49 – Bitches

I love watching bitches on late-night TV and this has the prospects of being a very exciting affair! The all-railer field has the ever-dependable railer Rewind Express in trap 4 and the rails-seeking pinger Beau Blue in trap 6. This has the feel of absolute carnage to it and makes Silverview Rosay of no interest at all as the favourite with 5 bitches descending on her from up high. With all that in mind, it is the stayer of this group, Aayamzamodel, who is fancied if she can miss the break and then watch the chaos ensue in front of her. She is, however, capable of pacing up herself on her day and therefore it is definitely a watching brief kind of race but unless any of these young damsels can avoid distress at the first bend and skip clear, Aayazamodel can pick up the pieces as a strong galloping stayer.

21:04 – Marathon

With the TV Trophy starting in Sheffield this evening (over 915m) failing to fill so the heats are having to be 5 runner affairs, having a marathon (over 930m) on the Sky card on the same night (with 6 runners) seems absolutely baffling to me. I understand Sheffield and Hove are the other sides of the country, but surely we should be filling my colleagues’ prestigious tournaments than having one-off races? Anyway, after not seeing Tango live earlier I am not surprised by this decision either so onwards to the race. It is one that lacks strength-in-depth and with the presence of non-staying front runner Boherna Bridge in the field, it is an opportunity to look for a progressive dour stayer in the making to reel him in. Fishing around for that stayer, I have taken on the clear favourite Live Queen in favour of the potentially very useful Parkers Star who has been crying to run from Hove to Sheffield, let alone over 930m, at her home track Romford. She has shown nice track craft at times and whilst she may be starting to flatter to deceive (especially over 750m which should be ideal for her at this stage), the fact connections have decided to send this puppy (Aug ’12) over this ludicrous trip so early in her career shows that they have seen what I am seeing: she needs as long as possible. At a price, she is capable of outstaying the favourite here with any sort of clear run for the pair.

21:19 – Sussex Cup Final

Exocet is the favourite here and whilst he has sprung to form just at the right time (2 fast sectionals in the heats and semi-final) he is a dog that has flattered to deceive for a long while now. That coupled with the fact he has never won from trap 6 in Ireland or England, means he has to be taken on at his price. There are loads of early pace merchants on the inside with Jaytee Lightning, Sidaz Pedro and Cathys Clown all capable of flying starts but those three are all drawn the wrong way round and therefore, Forest Gavin has to be the bark to maintain his unbeaten record from trap 1 at this track. Admittedly that is from 2 starts but if he can reproduce his ping from his first effort here (missed the break on his second win but paced up supremely), then he can assert from the first bend. 515m is perhaps as far as he wants but with the strong Bubbly Gold pawly drawn in trap 5, unless he can drop himself out onto the rail and get a run up the inside, he will surely find trouble even for a dog with his lovely trackcraft. Gold is also capable of pinging the lids (the first round of the Grand Prix at Sunderland is particularly memorable) and he certainly does not want to be doing that this evening with so many early-paced hounds on his inside. Exocet could easily get back to his best from nearly a year ago and win this with consummate ease, but Gavin is the progressive dog in this field and with a flier (which he will need) he has the draw to capitalise on.

Here are the recommendations:

21:19 – Forest Gavin – 1 dog bone @ 9/2

So there are my thoughts on the proceedings! As ever, please tweet me if you have any comments and I promise to bark back at you faster than Mesut comes out of the traps this evening! It should be a fascinating night with lots of value about it seems, let’s hope it goes the way of the Lolly Faithful.

Enjoy the racing,

Jimmy

What an evening we have in store here with one of the most competitive night’s racing of the year culminating in a mouth-wateringly wide-open Select Stakes. Nottingham is a gallopers track which always brings the top trainers down due to the fairness of the running surface and because of that, there is some really high class action this evening. It should be a cracker and as ever, I have found some value for the Lolly Faithful:

19:34 – Puppy

The young tykes have a go here and two of the fastest in training line-up in the form of Calzaghe George and Swift Hoffman. Preference is for the latter based on his draw out wide being far more suitable than the railing George’s in 5. As ever with these youngsters though one or other or both could miss the break though and these are two hounds who like to be on the bunny. Final Hawk is a dog to follow but he is desperate for the rails in his early career and his draw in 4 is a major hindrance, he has pace and a good attitude though.

19:49 – Bitches

This is a race that always has me on the edge of my sofa and here we see the versatile useful bitch Cashen Maureen as favourite. She looks short enough to me though with the ex-Irish Salacres Kingdom looking to take her room in the early exchanges as Maureen does tend to favour a mid-to-wide course (especially around here where she has notably moved off at the first bend before). With that in mind, it is worth backing the game bitch Chevy Blazer being able to ping out from 3 and lead the two bitches on her inside (the withdrawal of Teena Marina is a huge positive for her draw). She is a proven stayer over the 630m at her local track Monmore and might just take some catching over this galloping trip if she can secure a cheap lead.

20:04 – Sprint

Everyone’s favourite race here and we see the heir to my doggie throne in the form of Target Harris lining up here. He still has a long way to go to topple my achievements but he has shown blistering pace in the clear to miraculously manage to even equal my track record at Hove (I question the timer, personally…). He has not faced such a field of quality sprinters as this yet and the strength in depth is there for all to see. Southern Mesut is no mug but doesn’t ping like me enough, his lack of a “middle” tag next to his name is a concern also but who am I to question Charlie Lister OBE’s decision? Sound Flight and Cluxtons Free are very useful on their day but the value for me in this race is with the progressive and impressive Baliff Cairo to cheat his draw at a price. Mesut and Pride might have a tussle as they are drawn the wrong way round, Sound Flight can pace up to hold Harris enough and Cluxtons Free is just too inconsistent these days to trust, even at his price. Cairo has ran some cracking races for a young tyke in success and defeat and now he is drawn better in 3 as opposed to 1 (where he slightly missed it when beaten last), he can ping like me and steal this. Target Harris will have to produce a career best here for me, as it is more wide-open than the betting suggests.

20:19 – Stayers

This race is set for a battle between Droopys’ Hawaii and Adler but whilst they tussle on the inside, Killieford Khali is too big to swoop round the outside and make it 2 from 2 at Nottingham over this distance. Hawaii is not bulletproof as he has shown with some woeful efforts when not leading (when he led he did so very impressively over the trip, mind) and his sole victory to date can hardly inspire confidence in backing him so short. Droopys Adler was an Irish Derby Semi-Finalist last year and undoubtedly has pace and track craft, but his win ratio is again of huge concern and if anything, he can hinder Hawaii enough to allow something else to sneak in here: that is Khali. He is a galloping sort of dog that runs the bends badly but that should all be OK around here and if he can lead on the outside which he is more than capable of doing (admiteddly I would have preferred him out of 6), he can out-run his odds against the favourites.

20:34 – 480m

This has more question marks over it than my career at stud and it is perhaps a race best left alone. Mays King is perhaps the class act in the field but he has the sprinter Ballymac Budget inside of him so he is in by no means certain of getting a trouble-free round. If he can turn behind Budget, Charlie Lister’s dog simply does not stay so I think King can overhaul him eventually. That is by no means certain, especially if Greenwell Mentor turns up as the powerful dog that he was last year: he has been hugely disappointing this term.

20:49 – Dogs

In a race full of genuine railers there is always a case to be made for being on a pinger in trap 1 or a clever little doggie in trap 6. In this case, I think Some Turbo could be the answer as he has shown decent trackcraft in his short career. He has also shown he can run-on in his races which is certainly more than a few of these can do. Newinn Rocket next to him is not the force of old when he was extremely useful on his day, but it’s rare that he misses the break and he can cut across the local favourite Bromwich Tom to hinder his efforts. Johnny Kwango has an absolute ping in him which was shown in the Derby First Round but his effort in the 2nd (very disappointing) shows that he is an all-or-nothing type; he won’t like the two on his outside coming in on him. Baliff Turbo can also prove to be a nuisance on the inside. Brace yourself at the first bend here!

21:04 – Select Stayers Final

This looks a straight match between who can lead between Musical Gaga and Romantic Rambo because both have shown they will get the distance comfortably. Rambo has really run into some good form (7 from 9) and whilst his price has long gone, he can get first run on Gaga who will put up a valiant effort as ever in the race she won last year. Worsboro Phantom is well-placed and has some useful pace on his day.

21:19 – Select Stakes Final

Much has been made of the absentees from this year’s offering but nevertheless, it has made it into a cracking contest between very closely matched colleagues of mine. I cannot have Mileheight Alba out of 3; Salad Dodger has proved he can win on the biggest stage of them all but his win ratio is off-putting; Pay Freeze would be a lot shorter if his fitness was guaranteed; Davy’s draw looks perillous to me as Freeze goes straight up (as shown when coming out of 5 and 6 last year in big races); Exocet is simply not the dog he once was. That leads us all to my well-drawn, determined colleague Droopys Ward to confirm he is even better over a stiff 4 bends than when 2nd in the Derby and he can muscle his way through the field to atone for that defeat in May. He was arguably unlucky in the Derby, but he has no excuses tonight drawn outside of the mid-moving Salad Dodger (the victor on that occasion) this time.

Here are the recommendations:

21:19 – Droopys Ward – 1 breast of chicken @ 4/1

So there are my thoughts on the proceedings! As ever please tweet me if you have any comments and I promise to reply with as much vigour as I will barking on Ward as he sneaks his way through the field tonight! It should be a fascinating evening with so many competitive affairs and let’s hope we can have a few winners at some big prices!

Enjoy the racing,

Jimmy

There’s a cracking night ahead of us from Sunderland this evening with a grand total of nearly 50,000 doggie treats to be won across the card! That of course, means that the top class colleagues of mine from across the country have made the long trip up to the North-East and what they meet is a quirky kind of track. With it’s wide straights and narrow turns, Sunderland often sees us dogs running off at the bend, particularly the first, and then righting ourselves to continue our pursuit of the bunny. Therefore, the name of the game here is to be out the front chasing the hare and so early-paced merchants like yours truly are the type you want at this track. The racing is of a high quality throughout and as ever, I have found some value for the Lolly Faithful:

19:34 – Stayers

Lagganmore Milan is a frustrating sort who is without question seen to best effect when he is able to dictate matters. If he can clear the local bitch in trap 2 (who has a ping in her) he can put this race to his doggie bed with his galloping speed in front. Farley Chicken is a decent addition to the staying ranks but proved how invaluable it is to be in the lead around here when he got in all sorts of trouble in the Grand Prix heats when a beaten odds-on shot. He is more than capable of giving Milan a race if he can stay trouble-free but that is no guarantee at Sunderland at all. Killieford Khali has ability when he puts his best paw forward but his bend running leaves a lot to be desired and that is especially exposed around these tight ones.

19:49 – Standard

Airfield Paudie has yet to show his ability in a race on these shores yet and also looks to me as if he struggles to get home, even over this shortish 4 bend trip: he has to be opposed. Ryma Boca is a likeable bitch who is reliable at the boxes and game on the bunny. She is also drawn inside Paudie which will mean that any sort of running-off-at-the-bend shenanigans that occur will play into her paws if she is brave enough and that should mean she can secure a winning position at the first bend. Greenwell Mentor has pace in droves and is always feared but his efforts at Monmore in May were hugely disappointing for a dog of his pace. Pinpoint Lad could be anything from the respected Macari kennel.

20:04 – Marathon

In a race lacking in depth it is still worth opposing Aayamzabella from a woeful draw for her. She is a tight railing bitch who will do anything to be on the inside and with pace inside her (especially from Boherna Bridge) she is going to probably struggle to get a comfortable slot for herself over the first circuit. With that in mind, it is worth taking a chance that King Kane can stay on his marathon bow for his new trainer, Diane Henry. Under Liz McNair he was never tried over this distance which is of concern considering he saw out his 6 bend efforts pretty well but in a paw quality marathon, he can steal a march on these and hold on for dear life towards the end.

20:19 – Standard

Candlelight King is a type made for Sunderland and it would be of huge surprise if he were to not win his first race away from Sheffield here. He has the inside draw to his main rival for the lead, Mill Jolson, who is a young tyke who is surely destined to step down in trip to be seen to full effect. Even if Jolson turns in front of King, it is hard to see how he can maintain the advantage for the full trip as he does not see it out well at all. The only concern for King is the reluctance of his connections to run him away from his home track; in barking that though he was very unlucky in the Derby First Round at Wimbledon in his only start away from home when eliminated having been stamped on down the back straight.

20:34 – Festival Flyer

Everyone’s favourite race here and the value is to back the ever-dependable Skate On to make amends for her defeat in the heats. She has shown in the past that she needs a go at the traps once before she pings (memorably left a quality field for dead on Derby Final night this year) and now she has had a look at the boxes, she can ping and make-all. Cape Impact likes the rails and will be turning left into Baliff Cairo so they will have to both be on their toes. Conna Trigger won the heat ahead of Skate On last week but she is a better class than him when both on song in my dog’s honest opinion. It’s all about the break as ever with these sprints, and Skate On pings like me.

20:49 – Puppy Plate

The effort of Newinn Yolo in the Gymcrack final was quite simply breathtaking in defeat and his pace is being underrated in this contest I feel. Calzaghe George is a very fast young tyke on the bunny but as a youngster, he has been known to throw in some atrocious performances and Yolo has shown he needs no second invitation to chase down his rivals. Yolo is not devoid of early here and with his draw inside his main competitor, he can land the spoils in impressive fashion.

21:04 – Grand Prix Final

Bubbly Gold has excelled since stepping up in trip after his decent campaign in the Derby and he will take all the beating here. He has shown that over this distance he is capable of pinging and leading, and even if he doesn’t get to the front early, he is a classy customer. Tough work for the rest here.

21:19 – Classic Final

Both finals have the feel of inevitability about them and with the withdrawal of Bubbly Rocket in trap 5 helping his cause, defending champion Pinpoint Maxi is simply unopposable to retain his crown. Unbeaten in 7 starts for Kelly Macari, his early pace is quite simply staggering and hopefully we can see him line-up in more Category One tournaments this year. An outstanding training performance to bring him back after nearly a year off with injury due to a broken hock suffered in a trial, his connections and kennel humans deserve this victory. They should get it.

Here are the recommendations:

20:49 – Newinn Yolo – 1 chewstick @ 7/4

So there are my thoughts on the proceedings! As ever, please tweet me if you have any comments and I promise to bark back at you faster than Skate On pings the lids tonight. It should be a cracking night and let’s hope for a demonstration of pace from the wonderful story that is Pinpoint Maxi.

Enjoy the racing,

Jimmy

Whilst the humans continue to disappoint in the pawball our attention turns this evening to Sheffield and the final of the unique tournament that is the 3 Steps to Victory. The finalists have already qualified over 480m and 500m and now make the daunting step up to a full 6 bend trip of 660m, which many of them haven’t gone over before! This includes the odds-on favourite Ballymac Eske who has always shown tremendous speed in his career (once antepost favourite for the 2013 Derby) but coming back from serious injury after over a year, will he stay? We’ll come to my thoughts on that later but first, I’ve found some value as ever for the Lolly Faithful on the rest of the card:

19:34 – Puppy Sprint

The young tykes have a go here over the optimum distance and as ever over this trip, it will all be about the break. Sidarian Seanie has yet to get it right at the boxes under race conditions for his powerful connections and with that in mind, he is worth opposing. The well-drawn youngster Blue Bees Bolt has an army of followers judging by his starting prices and if he can time his break to ping like me, he can put this race to his doggie bed. Romeo Concorde was looking to rail in the Gymcrack and with him in trap 4, he can pave the way for the son of one of my favourite bitches of all time: Blue Bee.

19:49 – British Bred

The British Bred dogs look to restore some pride in our nation here and there are not many better dogs around Owlerton Stadium than Candlelight King. His Derby campaign was disappointing (as it was for many of the Sheffield raiders) but after a lay-off and back at his home circuit, he can account for the pacey Take The Crown. Whilst Crown is an exceptionally fast colleague of mine on the bunny, his efforts when he does not lead leave a lot to be desired and there are not many dogs that lead King round here. Craster Kipper is a dangerous Newcastle dog if he can get a run but I think that King will be long gone.

20:04 – Sprint

Another of everyone’s favourite race here sees some useful sprinters line up. Young Tyrur and Wacka are hit-and-miss types who are well up to winning this but with the draw, the value is to side with United Leeds. He has a tendency to run off at the first bend which may prove useful to him as drawn as he can shuffle his rivals to the side before powering on himself. Caz Rage is respected as he is on a 3-timer here but he steps up in class again.

20:19 – Puppy

The young tykes have a go here over the standard trip and the interesting newcomer La Maqina looks on the short side for his debut. Final Hawk is progressing slowly but surely and whilst he has been no match for the very useful youngster Millwards Teddy when they have opposed recently, he can account for these. Supreme Turbo is an honest sort but likes to get on the bunny and will find that hard from such a wide berth for his railing style. It is hard to make a case for the others but as ever with these puppy races, anything could happen!

20:34 – Stayers

Droopys Hawaii made an impressive debut over 6 bends at Hove last time out and it is hard to oppose him now he is on home soil. He has decent early over this trip and he is well drawn next to the slow-starting marathon dog Black Francis. Gotoon Mandy has got her head in front more often than not of late and can exploit any chinks in the armour of the unexposed favourite; it is hard to see where those are though, in this instance. Worsboro Phantom is a perennial trier but all-too-often finds at least one too good.

20:49 – Maiden Final

In this all-railer field there could be a bit of trouble and with that in mind, Liosgarbh Tom can use his decent early pace and skip clear round the outside. Big Thrill is clearly the danger but he is not guaranteed a smooth passage as drawn and so Tom can make-all on this front runners circuit.

21:04 – Standard

Due to the strength in depth of the local runners here (2013 BAGS Track Champions) there is always a local runner who springs out of nowhere to beat the more established names when the Sky cameras descend on Sheffield. With the draw as it is, I think it could be in this race with Ballybrazil Fly looking to wing his way to the front. Any Dak just simply isn’t the force of old but he will be moving high, wide and not-so-handsome as me to give the Fly a clear run to the bend. He has shown in his A1 success recently that he can clock a useful time on the bunny and whilst Farloe Striker is faster on his day, he is eminently opposable at short odds due to his frustrating efforts at times. Couple that with the inclination of Some Turbo to rail and that should pave the way for the Fly to make-all.

21:19: – 3 Steps To Victory Final

Whilst this could turn into an absolute procession, Ballymac Eske is too short on his staying bow here being drawn in trap 4 and after a year out with serious injury. Yes, he is rapid on his day. Yes, he has destroyed the field in his 2 starts to date in this tournament. Yes, he can ping out. Yet, he has the pinger that is Whiterock on his inside and whilst he is by no means certain to stay either, it is hard to make a case for any of these being true stayers of the future. Anything like trouble in behind and Whiterock could be away-and-gone and clinging on for dear life as his legs become tired round the final 2 bends. Brazen Knight has won over the trip and so there is a case for him being a lively outsider, but he and Droopys Dave will have Eske constantly trying to get past them on the rails. Whiterock is the value for me.

Here are the recommendations

21:19 – Whiterock – 1 breast of chicken @ 7/1

So there are my thoughts on the proceedings! As ever, please tweet me if you have any comments and I promise to bark at you with as much vigour as when I saw a squirrel on my walk earlier. Sadly, I lost it and then I was barking up the wrong tree but let’s hope I’m not doing the same tonight by taking Ballymac Eske on!

Enjoy the racing,

Jimmy

There is no doubt it has been a disapointing Derby for the Lolly Faithful with the desperate elimination of Holdem Spy on Tuesday confounding the misery, but that doesn’t stop the excitement as we draw towards the conclusion of this magnificent tournament. All of the Semi-Finalists, regardless of their reputation beforehand, are thoroughly deserving of their place and let’s hope they all cope with the 3 runs in a week. The supporting card tonight features the Derby Plate and Champion Hurdle heats which have a real strength in depth to them so it should be a cracking night! As ever, I have found some value for the Lolly Faithful:

19:10 – Derby Plate 1

This is a really intriguing contest with some high class performers and as ever in these sort of affairs, the draw is crucial and that is why Toms Knowledge is the value. Bittles Bar has always shown a tendency to run mid-to-wide at Wimbledon and that can play into the paws of Knowledge to power up the inside. He held his own for 3 bends against the track record holder Fiery Splendour in the Derby and if he can produce that sort of run, he will surely outrun his odds. Jaytee Lightning is always a game performer and is respected, as is Borneo who his human has suggested runs better earlier on a card than later.

19:25 – Derby Plate 2

There is a lot of speed here in Airfield Paudie, Southern Mesut and Brosna King. With that in mind, they could all over-exert themselves in trying to establish an early lead and Islas Scolari runs this track particularly well, as he demonstrated last year in the Derby and this. He is also capable of pinging from the 6 box and whilst he does not have the early of the aforementioned rivals, he can turn handy enough to mow them down late on.

19:40 – Derby Plate 3

Ballymac Niall has the early and the draw to lead this contest and as he demonstrated in the first round of the Derby, he is extremely hard to catch on the bunny. Mileheight Alba is draw dependent and whilst he is better housed in 3 than when eliminated in the main event when drawn in 5, he will still have to clear the useful All About Ya. Airlie Impact has not been the force of old for some time, sadly.

19:55 – Champion Hurdle 1

Westmead Meteor is an impressive hurdler and will take some beating, but there are few dogs running over the obstacles with the pace that Mash Mad Snowy has and he is value to win this. Whilst he perhaps needs further, he can turn handy enough to Meteor and put up a serious challenge down the back straight. Rummy Lord is not the same dog away from Romford but his hurdling is particularly useful and he could run well at a price.

20:10 – Champion Hurdle 2

Soviet Military is a fast fluent hurdler on the bunny but the value here is to take him on with the Irish Grand National victor Jetstream Reason. Reason, in contrast, is not the highest over his obstacles and he will have to take to the English versions to be able to be competitive, but he has abundant pace and can overturn the jolly here.

20:25 – Champion Hurdle 3

I think that the winner of this year’s tournament will come from this race in my dog’s honest opinion and as drawn, Cornamaddy Jumbo can make all. He began his career very brightly over the sticks but has since started to show less respect for them. Whilst that is a concern, Droopys Lorenzo practically runs through them too so fluent hurdling is unlikely to be on display here. Westmead Bertie has always been a likeable sort and is very well drawn, but he does not possess the brute early pace of Jumbo.

20:45 – Derby Semi Final 1

Metro Jack is of interest here back in his preferred red box but the best drawn colleague of mine is Ecclestone who, if he avoids other dogs, can catch Crokers Champ. Champ’s draw is not as bad as many suggest because he pinged like me out of 4 earlier in the tournament but his Quarter Final was trouble marred and his slow time is of some concern. Salad Dodger and Droopys Ward have run with great credit in this tournament and will be flying at the death.

21:05 – Derby Semi Final 2

Mind The Net is the clear favourite for me to win the Derby as he continues to progress since his 2nd in the Scottish Derby. He possesses useful early but it is his desire from the 2nd bend thereon that is mightily impressive. Aero Nemesis has his draw and has not put a paw wrong in the tournament so far, but he is yet to be truly tested when he has been given the lead and it will be interesting to see how he fares with the 3 quick runs in a week. Brother John simply does not know when he is beat and is a credit to himself.

Here are the recommendations:

Cornamaddy Jumbo – 1 breast of chicken @ 6/1

So there are my thoughts on the proceedings! As ever, please tweet me if you have any comments and I promise to bark back at you with as much vigour as I desperately barked on Holdem Spy last week. He may be gone from the tournament, but the Lolly Faithful will never forget his efforts and let’s see if Mind The Net can frank his form tonight.

Enjoy the racing,

Jimmy

It was a great 3rd Round for Team Lolly in the Derby with all 3 of our remaining runners progressing! Holdem Spy was one again mightily impressive in victory and the other 2 ran with credit to qualify so let’s hope they can get in the top 3 again tonight. It’s a cracking card this evening for the “Night of Passion” at Wimbledon which is celebrating 86 years of the much-maligned track; us hounds want to work in London and it would be a travesty for us if the track were to close to build some human kennels, we cannot let it happen! So let’s all get behind the celebration this evening and show what a great night us dogs can put on! As ever, I have found some value for the Lolly Faithful to get us some much needed doggie treats after a few paw weeks:

19:34 – Puppy

The young tykes have a go here and if ever there was a form guide to go on, it is the one between Droopys Jarrow and Millwards Teddy. It seems to me that they will only race if they are facing each other these days and with the class of the others likely to be exposed, I expect it to be a good tussle between Jarrow and Teddy. I am backing the latter purely because I think the trip is more suited and he has crucially has had a sighter (clocking a rapid 28:44 on fast going) and he can get a tow from the early-paced Irish raider Tynwald Bish. Jarrow is perhaps the speedier of the two in the clear, but without a look and his penchant for running into dogs as opposed to round them, Teddy can assert round the third bend and win this.

19:49 – Marathon

There was a lot of barking about the potential of Old Refrain over a marathon trip before her debut and she was mightily impressive at Hove on her extreme staying bow. There are a few potential improvers over this trip like Watch N Learn and Black Francis, but Refrain looked a really classy bitch on the bunny and her trial time suggests she has taken to the track well enough.

20:04 – Stayers

Tyrur Sugar Ray is a welcome addition to this card as his class throughout his career (dual Irish Derby finalist, English Derby Semi-Finalist) is without question, but this is his true staying bow and whilst he has his trap 1 box, he will face the task of getting past the ever-game Droopys Posh. If he can clear her early enough he may simply have too much pace but it is a big step up from 600 yards to 687 metres and with that in mind, he is reluctantly taken on here. Droopys Ed Moses is a dog with a completely different set of gears when he wants them and the fact he has been trapping of late is a concern for any of his colleagues. He liked running at Wimbledon last year in the Derby and whilst his omission from the St. Leger last year was quite simply baffling, he can show why he would have given every dog bar the living legend Farloe Tango a good race in that competition.

20:19 – Quarter Final 1

So here we go – the Quarter Finals of the Derby! First up for Team Lolly is Vanrooney who I thought ran well last week considering he decided to go on the inside round the 3rd bend which was by all accounts, dead ground on Saturday. There are no easy races or qualification spots from herein but he should take to the quick runs because of his powerful style and he can swoop late here. Aero Nemesis has been impressive throughout this competition but he definitely steps right out of the boxes and so he will need to be paw perfect to be able to clear the rapidly improving Thatchers Champ and the track-record holder, Fiery Splendour. Splendour ran pawly after missing the break on Saturday and will need to step up his game here as Brother John has shown he doesn’t want to go back to his kennel empty pawed yet and Salad Dodger will be running on gamely too. None, however, will be running on quite like Vanrooney and he can pinch this if it becomes a mess in front.

20:34 – Quarter Final 2

The other two members of Team Lolly face each other here in Sidarian Teejay and Holdem Spy. The latter, Jimmy (presumably named after me), has been simply awesome throughout 2014 and let’s hope he can stay fit to see if he can make amends for oh-so narrowly missing out on the Derby Final last year. Crokers Champ will be blazing a trail in front as he does, but that should give Teejay a nice tow to be able to hopefully get up to qualify. The Spy doesn’t lose many.

20:49 – Quarter Final 3

The form of the Scottish Derby is holding up extremely well and Mind The Net has come from Shawfield (having lost to Holdem Spy in the Final) to put in some determined and gutsy efforts. This desire was shown on Saturday where he turned behind Jordans Brianna and proceeded to mow down Charlie Lister OBE’s charge with a scintillating turn of paw. He has enough early to lead Jet Stream Duke and Ecclestone on the outside and with Ballymac Loch and Jaytee Hawaii likely to cause themselves and Metro Jack problems on the inside, Mind The Net can progress with a win here.

21:04 – Quarter Final 4

Jordans Brianna has been quietly going about his work in this tournament and the fact he is yet to fully ping like me out of his favoured red box, means that he can make amends here and assert. He got caught by Mind The Net in the 3rd Round but plugged on gamely to fend off Vanrooney for 2nd and that sort of effort can win this. He will have to lead by some way but he has a great draw to work from with the slow away Droopys Ward and Farley Chicken next to him. Roxholme Ted has yet to have a rival in front of him in the tournament but he has shown vulnerability around the 3rd bend and so will need to ping to not only clear the early-pace of Farloe Trent on his inner, but also to lead Brianna as I cannot foresee Ted back-running dogs at this stage of the tournament. That, coupled with the fact he may be even more exposed than his rivals to the short runs due to his tender age, means that he is emminently opposable in favour of the quietly progressive Jordans Brianna, who is 6 from 7 out of trap 1.

21:19 – Bitches

The bitches put on a display here to finish the proceedings and there is no classier bitch on the circuit at the moment than Greenwell Lark. She showed in the 2nd Round that when given a weak field, she can obliterate them and with Bubbly Beauty (the Puppy Derby winner over Course and Distance) her only real opposition, Lark can put on another breathtaking display of pace on the outside.

Here are the recommendations:

21:19 – Greenwell Lark – 1 chewstick @ 5/4

So there are my thoughts on the proceedings! As ever, please tweet me if you have any comments and I promise to bark back at you with as much enthusiasm as I will be displaying when Holdem Spy unleashes his pace down the back tonight! In the so-barked “Week of Death”, let’s hope Team Lolly can remain intact and move forward to the Semi-Finals on Saturday!

Enjoy the racing,

Jimmy

So we begin the so barked “Week of Death”. My colleagues at this level are simply not used to running 3 times in the space of a week and many a great dog has been caught out by the Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday schedule that they will embark on if they are fortunate enough to make it to the Semi-Finals. Tonight we will definitely see the winner for the first time on one single card and I for one, am bouncing on my sofa with excitement! Team Lolly still has 3 protagonists and let’s hope they can continue their excellent work so far: it’s tough from here! It looks an intriguing card in arguably greyhound racing’s finest night this evening due to the quality, and as ever, I have found some value for the Lolly Faithful:

19:34 – Heat 1

Fiery Splendour has been burning up Plough Lane with some scintillating displays of early and staying prowess but the track record holder could not live with Swift Keith on the bunny in March. There is no doubting that Splendour has come forward since then, but Keith has a lovely draw and has been quietly impressive during his campaign so far.

19:49 – Heat 2

This looks a very winnable race for Airport Captain who can make all as he loves to do. He relishes further than this, but he can lead the inside here and not be for catching. Kincraig Rory has figured in races at enormous prices and could pounce, whilst Bubbly Gold will be running on all-too-late in my dog’s honest opinion.

20:04 – Heat 3

The first member of Team Lolly lines up here and whilst his draw is fraught with danger, Vanrooney has the class to swoop round this field late. Jordans Brianna can blaze a trail and provided Vanrooney can negotiate Mind the Net (seeded middle for some reason) and Gizmo Classic, he can pounce on Charlie Lister OBE’s only surviving member in this year’s tournament.

20:19 – Heat 4

This looks to me that whoever leads the outside will win and with that in mind, step forward the dog with the most early in Laughil George. He is overpriced to beat Take The Crown to the bend and hold off the game Roxholme Ted for just about long enough. The inside 3 will be running on but may do each other no favours in getting a clear run, which they need.

20:34 – Heat 5

The second member of Team Lolly, Sidarian Teejay can cheat a paw draw here and show he has the pace and desire to win the Derby. Aero Nemesis has benefited massively from the unfortunate withdrawal of my colleague Westmead Chris, but he has looked vulnerable to a strong sort in the latter stages of this competition and Teejay can hunt him down.

20:49 – Heat 6

Metro Jack has a brilliant draw to work from with no dog on his outside and whilst he could make-all, I think the value lies elsewhere in the equally well drawn El Salvador. Salvador has not put a paw wrong in this tournament so far and whilst Brother John may ping and head for the rails, Salvador can hold his pitch and account for the early-pace merchants.

21:04 – Heat 7

Jaytee Hawaii has been making all in impressive fashion in the competition but he is surely vulnerable to a dog with power and that comes in the form of the useful Benkaat Nero. Nero never really sets the doggie world alight, but if he can get first run on Hawaii by avoiding the bizarrely seeded Farley Chicken, he can assert on the run-in.

21:19 – Heat 8

In a race with so much early and the fact that despite his human’s comments, I’m not sure trap 1 will suit the rapid Crokers Champ, the Spy can show his brilliance in picking off all-comers once again here. He is badly drawn, but that has never affected him in his career.

Here are the recommendations:

21:04 – Benkaat Nero – 1 piece of bread @ 9/2

So there are my thoughts on the proceedings! As ever, please tweet me if you have any comments and I promise to bark back with all the enthusiasm I will have if Team Lolly remains intact this evening! It promises to be a night full of drama, and non-moreso when the track record holder is defeated in the first.

Enjoy the racing,

Jimmy

Well, last night was a great one for the Lolly Faithful and although we lost one member of Team Lolly, the performance of the night was Holdem Spy (once again). There’s no stopping the action as the 2nd Round concludes tonight with some of the faster colleagues of mine from the first round looking to pick up where they left off. It should be a cracking night and as ever, I’ve found some value for the Lolly Faithful:

20:42 – Heat 9

This looks a fascinating contest to start the proceedings and with Swift Keith perilously drawn once again, the value is to side with impressive winner from last week Brick Lane. Zero Two, Jaytee Lightning and Crokers Champ all have pace to the bend and so Keith will have to be at his brilliant best to negotiate a clear run. That should set it up for Lane to scoot round the outside and hold the quietly impressive El Domingo.

20:58 – Heat 10

Mileheight Alba was very close to overtaking Roxholme Ted at the 3rd bend last week and with that in mind, he is opposable here. General Wolf can show more early than he did last week and with a nice looking draw, he is the value call to upset the jolly and the disappointing Droopys Norris. Norris is clearly blessed with an abundance of pace but struggles to translate that into victories and the Wolf was very game to beat the likeable Mind The Net last time out.

21:15 – Heat 11

With no pace on his inside, it is hard to see how Johnny Kwango doesn’t follow up his all-the-way success here. Ecclestone is a powerful dog but his penchant for cutting the bend leaves him in a world of trouble all too often and whilst he is an obvious danger, very few dogs can catch Kwango on the bunny.

21:32 – Heat 12

By the time they head to the traps this race could be a solo trial for Vanrooney. This 4 runner affair looks to have Pinpoint Finas and Express Master battling up front, before Vanrooney puts them to his doggie bed.

21:48 – Heat 13

Much has been made of Paradise Silva never winning 2 in a row in his career and whilst he will be hard to knock out of the tournament, that shows that he is not invincible. Droopys Odell is starting to become the unluckiest dog in training but he is not as draw dependent as he was when he was a young tyke and has pace and class in abundance. If he can maintain a true line, he can account for the Irish raiders here. Kippers Usain will have to not kip in his box like last week but he has enough early to put up a challenge to Paradise Silva, that should be enough for Odell to show his staggering pace.

22:03 – Heat 14

Another tricky looking affair with the Arc winner (King Dec), the Scottish Derby 2nd (Mind The Net) and impressive winner of the first round of the Monmore Puppy Derby (Scarface) who ran well last week. All of those can put up a cracking performance on the day but it was hard to ignore the confidence that Nick Savva’s team showed in Westmead Chris in the 1st Round and if any humans know a thing or two about us mutts, it is them. He is better drawn than his rivals here and he can make-all.

22:18 – Heat 15

It has been a paw derby for Charlie Lister OBE so far but he can bounce back here with a win for one of his barking dogs: Jordans Brianna. He has electric early to the bend and whilst he is hit-and-miss at the boxes, if he can time his break well he can pace up and hold Brother John at the first. That rival is also suspect at the boxes and whilst he has flown out the last 2 times, he is due a missed break. Bubbly Rocket is no slouch either and will not need a second invitation around one of his favourite circuits. Borneo is one to normally find trouble, unfortunately, and he is drawn to do so here. Woolie No Shoes will have to improve again to be competitive.

22:35 – Heat 16

Whilst I am pleased and congratulate Fiery Splendour for his track record performance last week, I simply cannot have that that run was faster than Razldazl Jayfkay’s effort. With that in mind, I think he is too short here and Farloe Trent was very close to clearing the bend last week and going on to assert. I think his little bump that he incurred cost him the race and he can lead Splendour and not be for catching here.

Here are the recommendations:

22:35 – Farloe Trent – 1 chewstick @ 4/1

So there are my thoughts on the proceedings. As ever, please tweet me if you have any comments and I promise to bark back at you with all the enthusiasm I showed when the Spy rode the first bend trouble magnificently yesterday! It looks a night for a few shocks to me, and hopefully they’ll go in our favour.

Enjoy the racing,

Jimmy