As we head into the early stages of 2021 I thought I’d try and pinpoint ten greyhounds who I believe will pay to follow throughout the year ahead:

Easy Shot

bk b (Droopys Sydney-Shes A Dream, Jun 19) – Trainer Gavin Holman
Two from two in her career so far when winning heat and final of the RPGTV Puppy Cup at Nottingham over 500m. Appears to be a very reliable trapper, has excellent early and middle pace and can only get stronger in the latter part of her races as she matures. Has clocked some serious times to halfway at Nottingham for a pup who will not reach 2 years of age until next June. A serious prospect and will be seen to great effect in Oaks competitions throughout the year.

Gymstar Elusive

be d (Droopys Jet -Dysert Anna, May 18) – Trainer Chris Akers
Hugely unexposed sort who arrived in the UK in 2020 with a record of 1 win from 3 starts on Irish soil.  That win came in the first round of the Rural Hawaii Unraced stake at Clonmel on career debut in January.  He subsequently ran up in both semi-final and final of that stake to the highly talented Newinn Session and also had RPGTV Derby Plate winner Doolin Duke finishing behind him in the final in third place.  Well beaten on UK debut at Nottingham in August he soon put that effort well behind him with a dominant success next time out in a Star Sports Bookmakers & ARC English Derby Trial Stake.  Unfortunately he came out of that race lame and hasn’t been seen in competitive action since.  Seems to have fallen off the radar of many but recent trials from him at home venue Sheffield when recording 28.93 (+20) and at Nottingham 29.47 (+50) indicate that he is on his way back and if staying sound looks a dog to keep on side.

Salacres Pippy

bk b (Definate Opinion-Pippy, Sep 18) Trainer Peter Harnden
Though winless in four races on Irish soil this bitch always looked a stayer in the making and has justified the faith shown in her by connections with some high-class performances since arriving on UK soil.  Given some experience in Derby trial stakes over an inadequate four bends Pippy was soon stepped up in distance.  Taken to Crayford for a look around pre the Jay & Kay Coach Tours Kent St Leger, her 33.33 effort over the 540m trip had plenty of people sitting up and taking note. It was some effort from Pippy on what was her first sighter of the circuit especially given that a trap malfunction resulted in the traps not opening fully.  The track record of 33.09 held by Mayshighland Reel wasn’t too far away.  Ran well to win her first-round heat of the aforementioned Kent St Leger but was beaten into third and eliminated from the competition after a missed break in the semi-final.  Perry Barr for the RPGTV St Leger was next on the agenda where Pippy once again ran out an impressive winner of her first-round heat before finishing runner up in both semi-final and the final itself to Aayamza Royale and Smallmead respectively.  Such high-class form from a bitch just who’d reached two years of age warrants huge respect. Will be seen to best effect off the front in her races with the likes of Crayford’s 714m and Romford’s 750m courses looking ideal.

Waltham Blue Boy

be d (Hiya Butt-Roxholme Hottie, Aug 18) Trainer Lynn Cook
Started his career off in top grade A1 company over 500m at Nottingham in November but it was on his third career start and in maiden open class company over the same course and distance that he gained his first win.  Extremely pacey dog who was clocking some electric times to my unofficial halfway and third bend markers during those early starts but at least in these early stages of his career finding the latter stages of the tough 500m trip testing.  Stepped down in trip for a tilt at the RPGTV National Sprint he finished runner up in his heat before finishing last in his semi-final and eliminated from the competition.  One more unsuccessful four bend run came afterwards in a 480m open before appearing in a D2 graded race at the track on a Tuesday lunchtime BAGS card.  His 4 1/2 length success over another nice type in Penninment Milo, when recording an excellent 17.59 (+20), highlights perfectly that this is a greyhound who will be spending the bulk of 2021 competing in sprint opens around the UK rather than in graded sprints at his home venue.  The kennel wouldn’t be known for traveling unnecessarily but this is a greyhound who simply must be placed on the van to target all of the leading sprint events this year.

Bockos Jon Jo

bk d (Droopys Jet-Moanteen Beauty, Aug 18) Trainer Patrick Janssens
Has been scorching around Romford over 400m since arriving from Ireland. His last two runs on Irish soil where a 28.59 victory in a race at Galway followed by a scintillating 28.10 trial at Shelbourne. Will undoubtedly be stepped up in trip on UK soil and will post some serious times once doing so. Major player in any event which the 2020 champion trainer places him.

Westway Blake

bk d (Laughill Blake- Rockburst Pearl, Mar 19) Trainer Angie Kibble
Started his career off in A6 company in September 2020 when coming from behind to win at home venue Swindon at a huge 10/1.  A double upgrade to A4 followed where he unfortunately fell and in the process suffered his only career defeat to date.  Has since won six in a row moving from A4 to maiden open winner at Central Park and gaining dual success in both A1 and open class company back at Swindon.  Literally could be anything and could have a very big year ahead of him.
 

Redzer Renae

bk b (Kinloch Brae-Redzer Ruby, Mar 19) Trainer Anthony Gifkins
Ran a storming race for such a young pup when just failing to back run Aayamza Royale over 945m in the final of the TV Trophy at Hove on going which was as slow as you can ever find. Not 2-year-old until March and competitions and races where her undoubted stamina will be brought into play won’t come around too often however when they do she looks a bitch who will be difficult to oppose.
 

Lightfoot Gigi

bk d (Eden The Kid-Droopys Knox, Apr 19)  Trainer Jimmy Fenwick 
Well-bred youngster who gained the first win of her career at the fifth attempt when winning in top grade A1 company at home venue Newcastle.  Had to do it the hard way on that occasion showing battling qualities to just get up in the shadow of the post.  Plenty still in the locker with this pup and no surprise at all if she progresses to become a regular winner on the open scene this year.  No luck when eliminated from the Star Sports Bookmakers Puppy Derby at the first-round stage at Towcester in December but the fact he was entered at all by connections shows the regard in which he must be held.  Should pay to follow.
 

Hilight Arkle

 bk d (Good News-Fiftyshadesnifty, Jan 19) Trainer Richard Rees
A winner of 2 from 3 career starts in Ireland in 2020 and won on UK debut in open class at Hove in mid – December.  Beaten in A1 company at the track on his sole start of the year so far but is open to a massive amount of improvement and is in extremely capable hands that know the time of day and will bring him along nicely.  No surprise at all to see him progress into a competition greyhound this year.
 

Signet Miller

bd d (Magical Bale-Dorotas Star, May 19) Trainer Kevin Hutton
Raw youngster with just the one victory from 5 career starts so far.  Slow starts are hampering this dogs progress just yet but he’s more than young enough and lacking in experience to improve in that sphere yet.  Sole win came at home track Monmore in decent A2 company and has since run with credit in three top grade affairs.  Shouldn’t be long in adding to his winning tally and should improve as the year progresses.