Janssens takes command of the Eclipse
A 1-2-3 for the trainer as Romeo Command lands the Category One final.
Come January, Romeo Command will officially be a veteran. Nobody has told him that, however, still performing at the absolute peak of his powers. Things opened up well for him but he had positioned himself to take advantage of that happening. When it did, he hit the gap and accelerated.
The red jacket probably isn’t an ideal starting position for him but it is very hard not to admire a hardy campaigner who has had his problems. He missed four months with a broken hock but he’s come back as good as ever. His return is a huge testament to his connections.
Afterwards, speaking to Gone To The Dogs Live! Patrick Janssens said “he’s an old boy, he’s clever, he’s got trackcraft and he took all opportunity…he’s a very good tracker this dog, sometimes you see him go to the bend and you think how’s he going to get round here and he always finds a way!”
Slick Sentinel took advantage of being the sole seeded runner to grab second with Romeo Steel in third. Wicky Ned was unable to overcome a tough draw in five but his 2024 campign will still see him high on the list for greyhound of the year.
ROMEO COMMAND in his Eclipse winner’s jacket
Nottingham 25th November 2024
Photo: © Steve Nash
Eclipse winner Romeo Command gets a post race hug from Dave Firmager’s granddaughter Faith.
Nottingham 25th November 2024
Photo: © Steve Nash
Rioja Oisin states his case for the National Sprint
A huge performance from Kevin Hutton’s speedball as he gives a start and a beating to his rivals.
The run of the night came in the sprint contest. A trial stake for the National Sprint, Rioja Oisin laid down a marker and then some for the competition that concludes on December 23. A missed break in a sprint is generally the end of all chance but not for Rioja Oisin who showed phenomenal pace to the bend.
While he only had William Russell’s Magical Bluebear to beat on paper, to give the winner of the Silver Salver such a start and a beating was an incredible performance. The winner of the only sprinting category one is the only dog to hand a defeat to Rioja Oisin so far in the 10 starts that the Hutton dog has had, nine of those in England but he was readily brushed aside on this occasion.
RIOJA OISIN powers home in the sprint open on Eclipse night despite stumbling and losing ground coming away from the boxes
Nottingham 25th November 2024
Photo: © Steve Nash
Nottingham Undercard winners
There were six other opens on the card last night.
Jill Llewellin’s Vale Bluebell backed up her Select Stayers win with a late charge to pick up Salacres Cath in the 730m contest. The latter looked to have escaped early on for Peter Harnden who found some compensation in the final race on the card when Salacres Tipster justified short odds with plenty in hand.
Velvet Madrid was a bold front-running winner for Peter Holland, holding off all comers when she looked like being swallowed up. Crafty Pardiso was another local winner, Colin Wilton responsible for her with Magical Bertie and No Better Feelin scoring for William Russell and Chris Fereday respectively.
CRAFTY PARDISO wins the Arc Ladies Trophy Final
Nottingham 25th November 2024
Photo: © Steve Nash
Early drama in the Arc Maiden Standard Trophy Final as Trickytinkerbell (t2) is almost turned sideways on the run up with Tens On (t3) crowded. Magical Bertie (t1) is poised to take advantage , leading off the second turn.
Nottingham 25th November 2024
Photo: © Steve Nash
VELVET MADRID (t2) leads Ballymac John (t4) on her way to winning The Greyhound Star Trophy from Stonepark Wes (t5).
Nottingham 25th November 2024
Photo: © Steve Nash
Hove set for an exciting weekend
The Olympic and the George Curtis/Ballyregan Bob both start on Saturday.
Ante-post prices are up with these taken from the sponsors Coral.
Coral Olympic
6/1 Barntick Bear 7/1 Droopys Plunge 8/1 Aayamza Sydney 10/1 Candolim Monsoon 12/1 Droopys Extragud, Proper Heiress 14/1 Droopys Pivotal, Gun Slinger, Newinn Benni 16/1 Droopys Display, Gary The Arb, Missile One, Newinn Syd 18/1 Antigua Kestrel, Uncle Freddie 22/1 Antigua Forky 25/1 Ballymac John, Clona Kody 28/1 Blarney Boy, Never Say No 33/1 No Better Feelin 40/1 Bower Gift, Kevins Rocket, Noris News, Rapido Ali, Swift Depot 50/1 Burrows Sapphire 66/1 Bockos Wazza, Drive On Lad, Gingers Rubin, Marko The Great, Newinn Port, Starshinestunner, Thor Odinson 100/1 Senahel Tedster, Turkish Lira
George Curtis & Ballyregan Bob Memorial
9/4 Garfiney Blaze 5/1 Move Over Ogie 7/1 Droopys Flotilla 9/1 Alright Gordy, Breton Molly, Tuono Bella 10/1 Ower Smasher 12/1 Beach Babe, Hopiehopiehopie 20/1 Swift Jarvis 25/1 Bright Jewel, Coffee Time Guys 28/1 Alright Patricia 33/1 Capel Rose, Millridge Tanic, Unanimous Madam 40/1 Innfield Charm 50/1 Maleficent 66/1 Carrick Cantona, Saint Maga 80/1 Minstrels Six 100/1 A Mystical Love, Broncos Bullet, Lossies Ace, Semora Power 150/1 Barbie Bullet, Bombay Hilda, Foxy Biscuit, Liz On Fraya, Sugar Girl Katie
Joe’s Tuesday Tips
***8.49 Central Park – Tintreach Guns (2pts) 10/3
**9.24 Central Park – Queen Shania (2pts) 9/2
*7.39 Central Park – Tintreach Tulip (2pts) 6/5
Three graded selections at Central Park this evening following on from last night’s brilliant Eclipse final at Nottingham.
The Nap of the evening runs in the A1 at 8.49pm. Trap one Tintreach Guns has found himself in some difficult A1s of late since returning to the card at the start of the month. However there is a chance here for him to lead and make all. Crucially, he is drawn inside Wonderful Abi who looks the biggest threat to the selection so I am hoping Tintreach Guns can come away and hold Wonderful Abi to the bend where he can then go onto pick up his first victory since the middle of September.
The next best runs in the D4 at 9.24pm. Trap one Queen Shania is one from ten but that doesn’t tell the story. Tardy exits have been her downfall but she ran a huge race in defeat behind Dido Belle a week ago and any kind of better start from Queen Shania can see her make it two from eleven.
The third bet of the evening is trap five Tintreach Tulip in the A1 at 7.39pm. A very classy bitch who is one of the top graders at the track, Tintreach Tulip is drawn between Affane Bailey and Harriestown Lee who she should clear comfortably early on. She should also have enough to clear the other two rivals in the race Tintreach Tiny and Monleek Peru. As such, i am expecting a dominant display from Tintreach Tulip who can take her tally to nine A1 victories on her 24th A1 start.
Stats
- Blarney Castle – 4.07 Monmore – 5/7 in A7 grade.
- Scooby Dior – 5.31 Romford – 6/12 at the track so far.
- Ballymac Levi – 7.14 Doncaster – 5/7 in B1 races.
- Castell Storm – 7.49 Swindon – 5/9 from trap four.
Opens
Friday: Romford
Saturday: Hove
