We have shaken it up again this week with four virgin punters – at least as far as this page is concerned!
Glenn Day (Star Sports), our only winner last time out is back on the bench and we bring in Matt Hulme on behalf of the sponsors and representing the chalk monkeys.
Mark Burridge – the man who makes the trophies – not necessarily personally – makes his first appearance on behalf of the greyhound owners. Stepping up for the trainers is one of the most high profile assistants in the business, Mark Keightley, who has a runner this evening.
Finally, stepping in for the media is former Racing Post journalist, now the man behind BAGS’ and many other websites, Paul Millward.
If you make a profit on Paul’s or Mark Burridge’s tips, you might be tempted to pledge a donation towards their forthcoming cycling fund raiser for the RGT.
The rules remain unchanged – the placing of a fictional £100 on the SKY card, singles or multiples.
Full form is below tips
MATT HULME (Betfred – bookmakers)
A quality card receives the SKY treatment at Nottingham this evening concluding with a Betfred Select Stakes that is both select by name and select by nature.
8:33 – Dropzone: Elaine Parker’s dog was very impressive in winning twice at the track earlier this month, lowering the colours of the re-opposing Lowgate Sirius nine days ago. He hopefully has the early pace to hold Oscar Junior to the bend and will then take some stopping.
8.51 Cloran Paddy: The Betfred Select Stayers is a tasty hors d’oeuvres ahead of the main event with two winners off last weeks televised card clashing. Shellam Delano had last years winner Borna Mindy behind at Sunderland when routing the marathon field by 14 lengths. However, Cloran Paddy was also impressive scoring from behind to beat favourite Swift Hansel in the Grand Prix Final. He was an unlucky loser when favourite for the St Leger final back in November but can gain ample compensation with success for Charlie Lister this evening.
9:08 Dorotas Wildcat: A cracker of a Betfred Select Stakes awaits us as the highlight of the card, even allowing for the sad withdrawal of the Derby winner through injury. Dorotas Wildcat has got the ideal berth in trap one and was mightily impressive in taking the Derby Plate with minimum fuss after an untimely exit from the Derby itself. With luck on his side he would have gone close in the big one at Towcester. He should have the legs of Droopys Buick to the bend and can hopefully hold off Bubbly Bluebird. He has won his only competitive start at the track when landing a Puppy contest in December.
PUNTING: 3 x £20 win singles + £10 win trixie Dropzone (5-2) Cloran Paddy (betting 5-2) Dorotas Wildcat (betting 5-2)
MARK BURRIDGE (Owner)
7:59 – Tynwald Baz: Expecting a trap to line success for this talented and underated dog that went to close to providing the late Terry Corden with a popular victory in last years Eclipse.
8:51 – Russelena Reggie: Scored a facile victory in the Derby Stayers and I’m expecting a big run again tonight. Jason Bloomfield is an up and coming trainer and Reggie is in good form as his sprint trial confirms.. With the slow starting Borna Mindy on his inside a decent break can see the white jacket dominate and whilst the pacy Shellam Delano and the brilliant Cloran Paddy will be dangerous, at 6-1 Reggie is worth a punt.
9:08 – Dorotas Wildcat: Firstly what a shame we can’t see Derby winner Astute Missile take his worthy place. It’s still a cracking Betfred Select Stakes though and I can’t see past Dorotas Wildcat. For me he only has to break level and his superior pace will take him clear, to secure a win against a superb field. Whoever leads out of the first bend is the likely winner and I’m expecting the very likeable Kevin Hutton to come out on top.
Good luck to all connections tonight.
PUNTING: £20 win Tynwald Baz (15-8) , £20 E/W Russelena Reggie (6-1), £30 win Dorotas Wildcat (5-2) £10 win treble
PAUL MILLWARD (Media)
7:11 – Roxholme Hat: This is a shop early to avoid disappointment race. Even money or thereabouts for Roxholme Hat is a gift from the gods in my opinion – he will be nearer 1-2 come the race. He performed miracles to get as close to Precisely as he did at Sunderland last week and Nottingham and the 305 metres trip is as about perfect as you can get for this striking hound. It’s a great gallop into the first bend and his early pace should see him clear into the turn.
7:26 – Droopys Gold: Every now and then you see a young greyhound that sends that little tingle down the spine and Droopys Gold does just that. A touch of odds-on is hardly value but this is a pup with a serious future. The trip and the track seems ideal and, if he comes away as well as he can, it is going to take something special from one of the others to come from off the pace to beat him.
There are some cracking races elsewhere on the card, the Select Stakes is incredibly good. Forced to have a bet I would side with Bubbly Bluebird – if he pings, it’s game over. As a betting race, I’d run shy of it though!
MARK KEIGHTLEY (Trainer- assistant)
7.59 – Tynwald Baz: I would normally take five hours to study a card and I have only really looked at four races from the perspective of a professional gambler and there is only one dog who looks an outstanding bet – Tynwlad Baz. He has a plot draw in one and I would expect the two to move straight across to trap five. He moved out from four when he ran against me recently.
There are only two ways that I can see the red being beaten, if he misses his break, which he rarely does, or if he needs the run. Other than that he looks the stand-out bet. I make him a 5-4 shot and there is still some 15-8 about.
PUNTING: £100 win Tynwald Baz (betting 15-8)
