The English greyhound Derby has finished for another year but the open action at Romford continues as usual with twelve races on show from 6.27pm. The Essex venue host a minor maiden competition over 400 metres with several greyhounds making their Romford race debuts in it. As usual yours truly has endeavoured to find out more about one from each of the three heats.
In the first heat of the Romford Friday night 500 maidens at 8.06pm over 400 metres, Deanridge Banger is making his Romford debut. Trained by Crayford’s Alison Kelly-Pilgrim the November ’17 whelp was bought at the Hove sales and has since won four from nine starts. All those four wins for the son of Coolavanny Jap and Droopys Keisha have come at home track Crayford over 380 metres. He has gone through the grades starting off in A5 and winning in A4, A3 and A2 graded affairs. He has had a recent open race at Henlow over 460 metres where he finished third. He clearly has early pace and if taking to Romford may not be a maiden for very long.
Alison on ‘Banger’ said: “We bought him out of Hove sales. We watched the live streaming and saw him lead to the third bend and thought he could be an ideal Crayford type. He is coming along nicely. He has a nice bit of early and should hopefully handle Romford. When we trialled him at Henlow for the first time he handled the track well which was good as Henlow is the not the easiest track.
“We tried him over 460 metres at Henlow and won’t be stepping him up any further. Short four bend trips is more of his cup of tea. He has trap six on Friday and we are very happy with the draw. We will see how he gets on.”
Alison has seven runners on Friday and on when asked the cheeky question on who she thinks could go best she said: “I would have to say Deanridge Romeo. 575 metres is probably a tad short for him. We wanted to put him in a marathon but it didn’t fill. We got him from the Crayford sales. He has gone through the grades and is a nice dog.”
Skybet are 4/1 for Deanridge Banger to win on his Romford debut while Corals are offering 16/1 for Deanridge Romeo to claim the 9.26pm race.
Rathronan Max makes his Romford debut for Crayford trainer Mark Fenwick in heat two at 8.21pm.
The May ’17 whelp has had six races on these shores and is yet to win. All those six races have been at open level at Central Park and Crayford over 265 and 380 metres. Interestingly although the son of Farloe Blitz and Rathronan Global hasn’t yet won he has finished second three times and third twice. He has been running against good opposition and appears to find one too good. Five of his six races have been at Central Park over 265 metres. Tonight’s short bend four trip may be ideal for him as although he has early he may not be an out and out sprinter.
Mark said: “He has been a bit frustrating. He has been mainly running in sprints at Central Park and has been finding one too good most times or made mistakes in running. He has very nice early but his Achilles heel is his trapping. His trapping is costing him races.
“We entered him at Romford to see what he can do and take a chance. There was a maiden comp so we thought we would go for that. He should handle Romford and is good enough if he gets loose. He is a decent dog and if he gets in front will get a lot of confidence from it. If getting in front you will see a different dog.”
Skybet are 7/2 for him to win on his seventh attempt on these shores.
Henlow’s Jason Ray is becoming a regular at Romford on Friday nights and tonight tries his Blackrose Chuck for the first time at the Essex venue. The June ’16 whelp spent all of his sixty one races at home track Henlow and tonight runs away from the Bedfordshire track for the first time. In heat three at 8.38pm the son of Ballymac Vic and Blackrose Eve though is up against two Henlow raiders so will feel right at home. Chuck has been running at Henlow in A6 and A5 company while two of his rivals tonight have been contesting in A7 and A6 graded affairs. On paper his higher grading status suggests he is better of the three but at Romford will have to prove it.
Jason said: “I took the dog off Eric [Cantillion] and he has great early pace and has been getting better and better with age. He can do 28.10 at Henlow if on the bunny which is a good time. He has got enough early to get out the traps and lead.
“He has been running well and I’ve seen other A6 Henlow dogs win at Romford on a Friday night so thought we would give him a go as he has been running well.
“He has trap six but would like him a bit more middle. He will keep a straight line to the bend he won’t turn left from the traps but does cut in at the first bend.”
Skybet make him a 6/1 poke to win away from Henlow at the first time of asking.
Regular readers of this column were in the know last week about Chubbys Sean.
Trained by Jean Liles, assistant trainer and partner Colin Creighton pointed out that their charge was the litter brother of Magical Icarus and Skywalker Logan. He also said “We think he will stay……He is fit and well and are looking for a very big run from him.” He wasn’t wrong and he duly obliged over six bends at the first time of asking winning by 3 1/2 lengths at an SP return if 4/1. Tonight he is back to contest in the final of the Romford Friday night 500 maiden stayers at 9.08pm.
It pays to follow this column.
