BRITISH PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK

The week kicked off with the Monday night Nottingham opens and another outstanding performance from Bettys Book. Kevin Boon’s puppy has now won her last four over the 500m course between 29.42 and 29.62 with ever improving sectionals. Was the going really +40, given that Plaza Lep – who recorded 29.65 (+20) when last winning in ‘all the way’ style – clocked 30.03 on the night??

The open race action moved to Towcester on Tuesday where track record holder Bockos Jon Jo was more severely tested than in the first round of the open sprint but nevertheless extended his winning sequence to four. Meanwhile at Sunderland, Blue Tick George looked every inch a Cat One runner in a Cat Two competition. (The fastest time over course and distance in the last five years is Bombers Bullet’s 39.10).

Then on Thursday, the fastest dog over Perry Barr 480m course this year, Roxholme Sheikh (28.20), franked the form with a 28.21 run off a four spots faster sectional (3.52). On Friday we had a ‘cut and paste’ for the brilliant and resilient Desperado Dan. His winning time was only the third fastest of the night – the quickest was kennelmate Doolin Princess (35.18), but it was the completion of an open race five-timer, Dan’s 99^th race, and clear vindication of connections decision to keep the veteran in training.

The Sunday night contributions included the British bred pup Bernard on -20 going at Swindon. Did you know he was from a litter of 11 pups (6d 5b)? While at Central Park the veteran 2019 Kent Derby winner Forest Alan wound back the years in 29.02 (-20).

Most weeks, the Yarmouth selection tends to be the only sub 28.00 winner of the week. There hasn’t been one in the last seven days, though we have seen the year’s fastest sprint run by the very capable Bockos Boss. The opposite was true at Henlow where a sub 27.50 run would almost guarantee selection. But it wasn’t enough for two of the three who achieved it this week. Marginally quickest of the trio was August puppy Rail McCoy.

With nothing to stun the clock watchers at Crayford recently, we turn our attention to Dean Childs’ 18 month old blue youngster Dece Tyson who won the fourth of his five races to date (A10, A9, A8, A7). It’s a similar story at Sheffield where quality has been in short supply but Valais Recruit rewarded his supporters with a 597-1 four timer.

With nothing breaking 28.60 for the Monmore standard, the selection goes to mid-grade regular Healthnwellness after a 287-1 four-timer. Harlow veteran Savana Ian has won six of his last nine – most recently in D1 – making him the joint most prolific winner at the track this year seven wins. He is also the oldest hound on this week’s chart.

Hove was more straightforward following a FOY 29.59 in A1 for Brutus Bullet to make it 7/13 in recent A1 company. The Newcastle selection also picked himself with an open class 28.47 win in A1 for Angela Harrison’s former Mark Wallis trained Henlow Maiden Derby finalist, Hardy Rebel.

There were good options for all distances at Doncaster including a 29.62 run for the giant Catunda Tom, and a 27.69 run for Gemmas Cain, but the nod goes Graigues Wagon for the fastest two bend run to date in 2021.

Pelaw staged three A1s and two A2s at their Sunday morning meeting but quicker than the lot was A3 winner Galloway Dylan.

Three years ago today, Wall Garden qualified for racing in a trial at Shelbourne Park. Folliowing a successful career in sprint opens and A1 at Romford, the veteran joined Kinsley where on Friday he clocked the fastest 462 of the week.