Blue Riband Semi Final Preview & Full Form

Semi final one at 232pm has now been reduced to a five runner affair with the in season withdrawal of Fabulous Azurra.  Patrick Janssens bitch has been in terrific form and had firmly established herself as one of the leading contenders for this competition.  John Mullins MR CHELM (ex Kildare) took a little bit of time to fully adapt to his new surroundings but his last two performances have been much more like his usual self.  His 404 split from last week is absolutely rapid and soon saw him well on his way to a comfortable success.  He was closed down a little in the latter stages by Patrick Janssens Deelish Frankie and though that rival reopposes today there is every reason to believe that Mr Chelm can stay on a little stronger today as he further acclimatises to his new surroundings.  He can smash out again and make all and can once again be followed home by a Janssens trained greyhound but this time it can be Romeo Top Cat to do so who should get a smooth run around the opening two bends after the aforementioned withdrawal of kennel mate Fabulous Azurra who had been due to line up from trap 1.  Seamus Gaughan’s Frostys Ten might not be the fastest in the field by any means but he knows this track like the back of his hand and his strong running never say die attitude can see him plotting his usual wide course to secure a place in next week’s big event.

Semi final two at 311pm can go the way of Kevin Hutton’s British Bred star SIGNET OTIS.  He’ll need to be lively away from the traps to secure the lead he craves as Arkady trained by David Mullins is also anything but pedestrian to the turn and although it will be tight if Otis does come away then he should just about lead around and that can be enough.  Hopes Paddington had really impressed me in his ‘first round’ trial stake a couple of weeks ago and though he was less impressive to the eye and clock last week he can still come through to secure second position and with it a place in next weeks final.  Antigua Bigun is highly underrated and though he would most definitely prefer to be drawn in his usual stripes he can still manage to run on and secure a place in the big race next week for Mark Wallis.

Away from the main two races of the day there is a Stadium Bookmakers Maiden taking place at 544pm which will be very unlikely to throw up much in the way of future open race success.  Michelle Brown’s CHOSEN MAGGIE (NAP) stands out against this class of runner like a sore thumb.  A young bitch who although herself comes into today’s race off the back of only an A7 victory she is without doubt head and shoulders above the kind of opposition she faces here.  A reasonable sprint trial from this July 2021 pup was followed up with a 3032 run over 500m with it well worth noting that was her first effort at any trip over the 388m which she has so far performed over at Suffolk Downs.  The bitch must improve lengths for that and in a race which will take very little in the way of winning she looks a more than solid bet.