“I’ve only been in it twice before. The first year Tynwald Baz finished second, the following year he won it.”
Laurence Tuffin is hoping that his bond with the RPGTV Steel City Cup will pay dividends again in next Saturday’s Final where he will be represented by (the hopefully aptly named) Deadly Expert.
The sole wide runner goes into the decider at a best priced 3-1 with Headford Ranger heading the market at 5-2 following another exemplary performance in the semi finals and a fastest of night, 28.72 (-10).
The semi final was only Expert’s fourth appearance for the Nottingham based handler since his arrival from Ireland.
Laurence said: “He was clearly a very good dog in Ireland, with a 28.30 at Galway on his card, and he had been running in top class company. They wanted ten thousand for him, but we managed to get him for seven, so he has done better than many more expensive dogs.
“What has surprised us is how much early pace he has shown. We thought he might be a 575/600 yard dog but he has been leading up. It might be something to do with the extra weight I have put on him. He was racing at around 34 kilos, and is now 35.5.
“To win the final, he will have to find time, in my opinion. Or at least repeat his first run where he did a 28.76 off a 4.18 sectional. I hope the five moves in at the traps, I think four has his box and will go in a straight line to the bend. If Kevin’s dog gets loose, we will need to be at least four clear of him at the last bend to stand any chance of holding on.”
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