Joe’s Perry Barr picks

***8.28 Perry Barr – Tuono Bella
**7.01 Perry Barr – Cunnigar Yousir
*9.20 Perry Barr – Tricky Wiggles

The Premier Greyhound Racing St Leger over 710m and M Lambe Construction Birmingham Cup In Memory Of Michael Lambe over 480m get underway at Perry Barr this evening with two fantastic competitions taking centre stage over the weekend.

Perry Barr Nap

The nap of the evening is going to be trap two Tuono Bella in the St Leger heat three at 8.28. She has found herself in a more than winnable heat having trialled well two weeks ago before finishing fourth to Lively Lauren in a trial stakes last week when finding trouble spots throughout. I would expect Tuono Bella to dominate proceedings early drawn in-between Littlers Nuke and Lamorna Amaze. She has already made two big finals this year reaching the Golden Jacket Final at Crayford and the Hunt Cup at Oxford. She is used to going deep in competitions and can get her campaign underway this evening with a victory.

Perry Barr Next Best

My next best is in first race of the evening. Recent Gold Cup finalist Cunnigar Yousir lines up from trap three in heat one of the M Lambe Construction Birmingham Cup at 7.01 and should make all. Traps three and four can be the pinging boxes at Perry Barr so I am hoping that works for Cunnigar Yousir to pop out in front and hold on. He ran well last week behind Darley Diglake in a trial stake when not leading so a decent exit can see him hold off the strong running Bockos Thunder late on.

Perry Barr other selection

The third bet of the evening is trap five Tricky Wiggles in heat five of the M Lambe Construction Birmingham Cup at 9.20. This lightly raced dog ran a huge race in defeat behind Darley Diglake last week only going down half a length when catching Cunnigar Yousir for second, staying on strongly. He would lack a yard of early but if turning close enough behind Aero Pattika I would fancy Tricky Wiggles to pick him up late on.

Perry Barr Quotes

John Lambe

“My dad loved the Birmingham Cup, so it’s fitting the race is named in his memory. It’s nice to have a couple of runners in the competition, and we’re hopeful of progressing past the first round.

“On The Tail is in the form of his life. He’s been with us since his first birthday and is improving each day. Some greyhounds are like that, he’s a late developer and although his draw isn’t ideal he’s earned his place.

“Delicate Lass is a nice bitch and is out of season which makes us believe she can improve as the competition develops. Any of the three inside boxes will suit her, so she has her draw.

“There’s a lot of early pace in her heat so she’ll need to be towards the front early on to qualify. Our hope is she can do that and come on for the run.”

“(Hurry Up) Jordan is probably the best dog we’ve had. He’s had three trials which have helped his preparations, if he can qualify on Saturday (in the St Leger) we’d be over the moon.”

Seamus Cahill

“He’s (Droopys Clue) come out of the Summer Stayers Classic well so we’re happy with him before the first round.” He’s right up there with one of the best greyhounds we’ve had in the kennel, especially as a dual-distance dog.

“Perry Barr is a strong galloping track which he clearly enjoys and the long run to the bend really suits him.

“Alex (Hambi, owner) bought him as an unraced pup and last year’s performance in the final blew us away. The 710m trip is enough for him, but between now and round one we’ll keep him ticking over – nothing special needs to be done.”

A busy night of open racing

There is also open race action this evening at Central Park, Doncaster, Monmore and Oxford.

Two opens at Central Park tonight, a 491m maiden and a 664 Stayers. The latter, at 8.19, contains Punkrock Warrior, a dual open race winner over track and distance for Stuart Maplesden.

Doncaster hosts six open races on their card. Fabulous Dyna will look to set herself up for her Yorkshire St Leger defence with a win over 661m for Laurence Tuffin at 7.42. Only Different Speed has won more opens in 2024 than Acomb Felix. He looks to close the gap in the 8.52, a 450m contest, for trainer Kevin Ferguson.

The 264m sprint final headlines the Monmore card this evening. Cree Jo Jo (Richie Taberner) vs Magical Bluebear (William Russell) should be worth the watch at 8.47. They are far from the only two in the race, however, Werners Me Name (Brian Thompson) won the other heat and Cree Jo Jo had to work hard to run down kennel mate Alien Bolt so it’s a fascinating race.

At Oxford, there are seven open contests, including three heats of a 650m maiden stayers. Salthill Sydney is arguably the most interesting in the three heats stepping up in distance for Ron Peckover. A 27.06 winner over 450m, he’ll be short odds to win at the first time of asking over six bends.

Staying over six bends is Coppice Lottie who was impressive seven nights back over the trip for Kevin Hutton. Oxford too have a cracking sprint. Adam Sear’s My Lennie beat Peckover’s Salthill Sniper by a neck in a great tussle last week. Tonight they have Jason Smith’s Westfield Bullet added to the mix, fresh off a 15.72 Towcester win in the 6.21.

Irish Cambridgeshire semis

Tuono Charlie hunting for 15 straight wins tonight.

After setting a new track record in the heats of the Roma Casino Cambridgeshire at Limerick a week ago, star stayer Tuono Charlie is short odds to add a semi-final success this evening.

The Sharon Hunt-trained son of Good News has proved a revelation since stepping up to six bends. He will exit trap four in the 9.39 with all eyes on the clock once more.

Romford

Smart times served up as a Friday night treat.

Romeo To Victory took full advantage for Tom Heilbron when Tullymurry Dylan was slow to rise in the sprint named for him. He was hugely impressive with a 13.28 win, the second fastest time of 2024 over the 225m trip. Heilbron was also on target with Madabout Peck.

Fire And Ice produced the fifth fastest time of the year over 400m with a slick 23.64. Matt Dartnell’s puppy was 1/4 to do so but he has laid down a serious marker for the upcoming Coral Puppy Cup. Newinn Souly landed the other Puppy Cup Trial Stakes for Kim Billingham in 23.74. That competition starts on September 13.

The final contest saw Fabulous Sonique just hold off Getup Me Boy in 35.08. Mark Wallis’s charge was almost two and a half lengths to the good over Carol Weatherall’s at the split but there was just half a length in it come the finish.

Both Maxine Locke and Michelle Brown had doubles on the night. Locke scored with Droopys Rarity and Droopys Pamela while Brown was on target with Roanna Mamba and Golden Bullet.

Other winners on the card were Vixons Bagheera for Nathan Hunt, Annual Atticus for Paul Young and Brindle Moon for Martyn Wiley.

New Tralee figures set

Daleroad Devon produced a track record run over 500y.

It is not often that the 500y trip is used at Tralee. The first round of a tri-distance on Friday evening, however, saw the entire eight-race card run over that distance.

The record has stood since June 2012, Characterbuildin producing a 26.84 on the 12th of that month. Patrick Guilfoyle’s pup lowered the figures to 26.70, extending the perfect start to his career to 3/3. None of the other heat winners broke 27.20

A December 22 whelp, his litter sister Unanimous Roxy has looked a smart prospect herself. The dam’s first litter through Oxford’s 847m track record holder Magical Luna and 2023 Shelbourne Juvenile Derby runner-up Short Grip amongst others.

August Greyhound of the Month

There are six nominations for the Time Greyhound Nutrition Greyhound of the Month for August.

They are Churchfield Syd (Richard Rees), Coppice Ella (Kevin Hutton), Droopys Clue (Seamus Cahill), March On Freddie (David Mullins), Queen Georgia (Liz McNair) and Unanimouspanther (Pat Buckley).

July’s winner was Richie Taberner’s Aero Sacundai, the BetGoodwin Pall Mall champion.

Dan Brabon dominates at Central Park

Seven winners in 10 races for the Kent handler

Barry O’Sullivan had seven winners on a Central Park card back in July, with Brabon repeating the feat on Friday afternoon.

Ross Diva,  Rosstemple Luna,  Dower Pat, Footfield Josie, Mohawk Spirit,  Footfield Magpie and Holiday Rascal were the seven winners at combined odds of 1,529/1.

Stats

  • Diego Kryptonite – 4.56 Youghal – 7/12 in A3 class from trap six.
  • Mandolin Wind – 6.39 Monmore – 6/11 from trap two.
  • Explosive Elsa – 6.46 Doncaster – 5/6 in A1 from stripes.
  • Skywalker Tino – 7.04 Doncaster – 6/8 at D1 level.
  • Like A Biscuit – 8.20 Mullingar – 4/5 in A6 grade at the track.

Opens

Saturday: Doncaster ♦ Perry Barr
Sunday: Crayford♦ Sheffield ♦ Towcester