The BGBF Puppy Cup gets underway at Sheffield this evening with 3 first round heats , the first four greyhounds from each heat qualifying for semi finals with a final worth an excellent £4000 to the winner. Having been advertised in the GBGB calendar for 36 entrants it’s a shame to see that the competition has only half filled , with even this number only being reached after a 24 hour extension to the original deadline.
Let us hope that the promotion of the remaining British bred events this year is greatly improved upon as quite simply staging a two round and final, half full competition for such decent prize money is a poor show. Connections of British Bred greyhounds demand and deserve better.
Moving on though we must look at what is actually a very decent British bred puppy competition with a number of runners who could progress into being extremely good open class.
Heat One gets underway at 639pm and the sole entrant of BGBF Chairman John Marttiott races from trap 1. This May 2017 bitch runs out of puppy status at the end of next month so this competition falls nicely. Aria obviously has experience on her side against the majority of rivals both in this race and indeed the competition. Possessing a good amount of early pace and local knowledge , Aria could well put this to good use from what appears a plot draw on the rail. All of the runners in this heat want to be a lot nearer the rail than outside , so lets hope they get around the bend safely and we see a clean run race. Patrick Janssens Goldies Allen , a winner of 1 from 7 , a maiden at Central Park , would be dangerous with a run. Allen has been running well around Sheffield and will appreciate the step down in class even if the draw does need to be overcome. Phil Simmonds home bred Rackitup Charlie is yet to win in 3 starts at home track Romford , he could well find that Sheffield’s 500m trip is much more to his liking and though he lacks a trial , he should go well. Queen Swift for trainer Liz McNair has won 1 from 11 back at home track Central Park , not one of the kennels leading lights at the minute and does lack a trial , she stays well though and if it did get messy upfront she will be staying on strongly. Go Pat Go , again from trainer Simmonds , was an impressive winner last time out in A3 company at Romford , she does benefit from a trial around Owlerton and Fabulous Amity from Nottingham trainer Laurence Tuffin make up the remainder.
Heat two sees what is my idea of the competition winner lining up. I watched King Idol trialling at Nottingham last week for Liz and Rab McNair and the pup impressed me a lot. A winner of 2 from 8 at Central Park so far , an A2 and a maiden open , I fully believe that it should be taken as a huge hint from the McNairs that they put him on the van to Nottingham for a trial when bringing King Turbo last week. His time wasn’t all that far behind that of Turbo either , a pup with a lovely stride , he could progress into a real top class greyhound , if he is to do so , then he will be making light work of tonight’s opposition despite lacking a trial. Moyar Meg for Pat Rosney , Bang On Annie , Bang On Gemma , Rackitup Bruce all for Phil Simmonds and the Laurence Tuffin trained Fabulous Sasha are the opposition , though I’m fairly sure all would a qualifying place and a spot in the April 13 final if offered now. They all have the makings of very decent greyhounds , I’ve just a feeling that King Idol could progress into being something really special.
Heat 3 is likely to see the betting revolve around Queen Cher , trained by Liz McNair and the John Mullins trained Saving Sonic. Cher does look drawn a little wider than ideal in trap 4 , however isn’t devoid of early pace and if trapping level should be able to command a position either at or near the front of the pack and get a valuable view of the track ahead. Sonic is yet to win here at Sheffield , but does have a couple of vital races here which will serve him well , he could put that experience to good use from what looks a fair draw in one. Moyar Sue for Pat Rosney , Rackitup Turbo for Phil Simmonds , Fabulous Marina for Laurence Tuffin and a second representative for John Mullins in the shape of Romeo Ruben make up the remainder.
All of the races can be caught live on Racing Post TV , Sky channel 431.
