The days of Night Time Danny sneaking under the radar almost certainly ended on Thursday night.

Night Time Danny  Photo: © Steve Nash

Steve Rayner’s dog was an 8-1 chance when he broke the Towcester 712m track record back in July. But he only spent half an hour in the spotlight before Kishlawn Shakira lopped off another 20 spots.

He was an 11-2 chance when David Mullins bitch won the final of the Gain Greyhound Nutrition Challenge Cup. Clearly a one hit wonder! (He was beaten two length in the final).

The pair met again in a St Leger trialstake that would have graced a Cat One final.

A 22-1 chance, Danny led home Aayamza Royale, Kishalwn Shakira, Ragtime Arthus and Bo Shine Bullet in the fastest time of the year over course and distance.

You would have thought that would be enough for punters to cop on for the Leger firsr round.

But Night Time Danny went to traps as a 6-1 chance, and absolutely romped up by seven lengths in 42.71 – just two spots outside Rubys Rascal’s track record.

It is hard to calculate who has been least fazed by the story to date, Danny, or his horizontally laid back owner/trainer Steve Rayner.

Steve bought his Leger semi finalist from breeder Donal Brennan in Ireland, having raced and bred with Terrors Hawk’s maternal ‘aunt’ Terrors Hawk.

Steve said: “I bought most of Danny’s litter from Donal, one of them won at Towcester yesterday. But he held onto Danny, who he could see was a different proposition from the rest of the litter.”

Night Time Danny’s Irish card is reasonable having been well outclassed in his early races by a hound who turned out to be Bull Run Norris. He was A1/A2 at Newbridge but showed a glimpse of potential when winning an admittedly average 750 field at Waterford by 12 lengths.

From the moment the dog arrived at the kennel though, Steve had no doubts that he had chosen well.

He said: “He dead-heated in his last race and Noel is convinced that I always catch him at his vulnerable moments when he is feeling a bit deflated. He certainly cost me less than Noel originally wanted, though we have kept in touch, and I know he is enjoying following his success.

 

“But from the moment I first saw the dog, he just looked a bit special. The way he conducts himself. He is good and he knows it, like all the best ones.”

So, has it been a lucrative run thus far?

“Well I backed him when he was 22-1, only to £40. And I have backed him each way at 33-1 ante post for the Leger.

“I’m not too sure about the draw for the semi finals. At Towcester I would say his best box is the four. He hasn’t run from trap one before.

“I think it will be a tough semi final with a lot of the field going to the bend together. I just hope he gets a decent run. Without trouble I am pretty sure he is good enough to make the final.”

 

The only two sub43.00 St.Leger heat winners are drawn as neighbours in a semi final that resembles a Henlow/Towcester inter-track.

Perry Barr racing manager Martin Seal said: “I think they would both prefer trap two and I would expect Bombardier to lead with Night Time Danny to follow him around. They are the only two railers in a race that has worked out well in terms of seeding.

“Of the others, I was very impressed with Sweet Leaf who probably only just got into the event based on previous form but ran very well. I thought Matt Dartnall’s two (Space Jet/Droopys Jungle) ran on very well to qualify, though they won’t be able to get so far behind in the semis and still expect to qualify.

“In the Birmingham Cup, I was very impressed with Duke De Janerio who looks a real tough nut and perfect trap one dog which he has in the semis. The kennel had a double with Frankies Jet. Gary and Billy (Thompson) come a long way and it wonderful that they are getting some success.

“Adeles Duke showed blistering early, and I was also particularly impressed with Forest Gold who had to be very brave as five dogs arrived at the bend together.

“I know we lost the Birmingham Cup for several years, but this is as good in quality as I have seen. The same goes for the St.Leger. I can’t think of any top class dogs who didn’t take part.”

Until the Star’s new App is licensed, videos can be viewed on the Star’s Youtube page:

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Perry Barr GM Anthony Gledhill has apologised to trainers and kennel staff after the track’s failure to open the snack bar on Thursday night.

He said: “We understand and appreciate the lengthly journeys that trainers make to the stadium, in particular for open race competitions. Due to last minute let downs in suitably qualified staff we were unable to operate our snack bar as planned last night, and as a result we were only able to offer complimentary hot drinks from that facility, or restaurant dining.

“We can confirm that moving forward our snack bar will be fully open next Thursday for The St Leger & The M Lambe Construction Birmingham Cup semi finals and we sincerely apologise for the lack of snack bar facilities last night.

“As an apology those open race trainers that visited us last night they will receive a £10 voucher to spend on food or drink on their next visit to the stadium.”

GBGB Trainers rep Peter Harnden said: “These trainers and their staff have come from all over the country. This issue has now been resolved but I am interested to hear from trainers at other tracks where the management aren’t pulling their weight.”