BRITISH PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK

The 28.78 run for new track record holder Priceless Jet will have form students scratching their heads – but the timer is not a subjective instrument.

The dog whose record in Ireland was was 15 straight losses between August and March (according to his GRI record, his racing weight swung between 73-80lbs during the same period), boasted a best career line of form of a five length win in the 750 yard Corn Cuchulainn. His best 550 yard (503m) run is a 29.43 at Shelbourne Park where he was an Irish Derby semi finalist. Or it may even have been his track record 29.11 over course and distance last year.

For the record – Jet’s record is six spots off Tyrur Shay’s run over the original course, set five years and two days earlier.

Nipsey Hustle who narrowly failed to make the 2020 Puppy Derby Final at Towcester was in action at Monmore on Saturday. The four legged Swiss Army Knife has open wins on six different tracks but the Wolverhampton track is possibly his favourite as he stepped back to four bends to clock 28.14. Only Antigua Storm (28.06) has gone quicker this year.

Baby Bullet produced a fabulous gutsy run for Jason Gornall’s first Category Two winner in the Coral Essex Vase on Friday. That is 13 consecutive races in the frame on three different tracks for the former Henlow top heat winner.

Graham Payne will be hoping that puppy Savana Ria will follow Bullet’s path having won the fastest A1 of the week at Henlow. That is seven of her last 11 for the daughter of a bitch who won opens at Romford and Crayford for the same kennel.

Bellmore Rossi has the fastest 500m at Nottingham this year (29.33), but on Monday he found himself some 12 lengths adrift of the impressive Dapper Rodney with a 29.53 run. As an interesting comparison, Rodney’s last win was over the Towcester 500m course where he clocked 29.42.

There was a fabulous 450m run at Doncaster on Wednesday from Gary Ferguson’s ex-Clonmel 28.95 winner Go Commando. His 27.28 run was the fastest over course and distance in almost five years.

March On Henry returned to winning form at Harlow on Wednesday but he is overlooked on this occasion in favour of Tinks Boy. With no ‘37s’ recorded to date over the 592m course, his 38.14 is surprisingly the quickest run of 2022. But in a wider context, that is four-in-a-row and five from his last six over two different distances for Sharon Saberton’s black.

For 67 minutes, Catunda Roman looked set to retain his position as the Sheffield POW following a 28.59 win. Then along came Adeles Duke, just seven spots quicker. Earlier the same day, Newtown Gemma clocked what would prove to be the only sub-24 of the week at Suffolk Downs. Eric Cantillon’s black was followed home by her litter sister Newtown Freckles.

With the ARC Puppy Cup due to start at Sunderland on Thursday – it closes tomorrow – there were some talented youngsters on show in trialstakes on Thursday. Quickest of them was the David Mullins trained Arkady. The 21 month old blue brindle has won his last four and has 23.97 form at Romford.

The third fastest winner at Sunderland this year, Freedom Epic (26.78) had won one of the four A1s staged at Newcastle earlier the same day. Epic’s 28.67 was the second fastest time of the day, but was usurped by Droopys Yea Haw’s 28.64. Unfortunately most of the Pelaw big hitters were absent this week. Top race was an A2 which went to ex-Dundalk winner Walkaway Mike.

There was a similar story at Kinsley, no Glenvale Gav, or Gortroe Rainbow. But Freyas Secret, beaten by both of them in recent races, finally landed an A2 at the 16th attempt.

Yarmouth also have a proliferation of A1s, though there is probably half a grade between them all. The stand out event took place on Wednesday when John Mullins’ Spicuzza opened his graded account in 27.92.

Perry Barr staged two 480m opens which were won in identical times, 28.42, on Thursday. We’re giving Mustang Kim the edge over Freeway Jet as a result of her puppy status. That’s three consecutive wins for Gerry Ballentine’s blue, following five consecutive runners-up places.

Hove’s fastest 500m winner so far this year, Cochise, returned to his home track to land a heat of the ‘1000 Winners Trophy’ over the 515m course. The time was not quite as eye catching (30.33), though it was still 26 spots faster than the other qualifier.

In recent weeks the pickings have been scarce at Crayford. A big improvement on Saturday with several worthy runs including a new FOY over the 540m course for Ricky Holloway’s new intake, Havana Robusto. Even though Milton Mia’s 45.11 was only the third best 714m run of the year, only Golden Jacket winner Bellmore Sally (44.81, 45.07) has gone quicker.

The only dog who managed to successfully defend his title this week, Ballymac Conti. He followed up last week’s 28.08 (-10) run at Swindon with a 28.00 open win on normal going.

Last but not least, the final selection is Sunday night winner Lenson Doctor. Once a Judgement Night team member for Patrick Janssens, the Tony Collett runner clocked 27.32 run for 450 metres at Central Park – the quickest of his 15 appearances over course and distance.