HILIGHT ARKLE on his way to a 29.33 win for Richard Rees and owner Daryl Bear in heat 28
Photo: © Steve Nash

Hilight Arkle (5-6) has been improving with every run of late and he can do so once again on his way to landing the first second round heat on Saturday night.  Richard Rees greyhound has superb early pace and this should enable him to soon skip clear and into an unassailable lead.  Graham Holland’s Sweep The Yard (7-2) landed some decent bets when landing his first-round heat and though there is more than a suspicion that he runs a track well fresh he’s never too far away at the finish and can take the runners up position here with Pat Buckley’s Bull Run Norris (9-2) who looked all at sea and struggling for a run throughout despite lining up in a four runner first round heat qualifying in third. Others Notouttheway (11-1), Ballymac Slapup (12-1), Jaguar Fury (20-1)

DRUMDOIT BRUNO (t2) disputes the early lead with Ballymac Gaybo (t3) in the first round
Photo: © Steve Nash

I was extremely surprised to see Paul Hennessy’s Boylesports Bingo (10-3) remaining as a rails seed for this second-round heat.  He was positioned in trap 1 for the first round as he is once more tonight and the result is likely to be the same with him being highly likely to move violently right and across the field on the run up.  He also had two choices when entering the home straight and coming to challenge Hilight Arkle of whether to stay rails or challenge on his outside and up the middle of the track.  He chose middle and at that point any doubt as to his seeding going forward should have disappeared.  With the race highly likely to get messy the best place to be could be on the outside and with Brendan Matthews bitch Unlock Unlock (2-1) running well in defeat last week and highly likely to improve for that run she’s the selection.  Bingo can chase her home for second with Liz and Rab McNair’s Queen Dolly (4-1) taking the third and final qualifying place in next week’s third round draw. Others: Coney Wonderland (9-2) Deadly Missile (8-1) Drumdoit Bruno (16-1)

 

FOREST GOLD wins heat 24. 29.46 Photo: © Steve Nash

Sharon Thompson’s Sparta Master (9-2) reaches veteran status in just a couple of months’ time but he shows no sign of slowing down yet.  At a track at which he excels he’s selected to go one better than when finishing runner up in his first-round heat in what is a competitive affair.  Lights Out (5-1) for Kevin Hutton loves a chase and can run on for second with Hutton’s other representative in the heat Forest Gold (10-3) taking third. Others: acemaker Ted (6-1), Bandicoot Sammy (7-2) Jacks Solution (9-1)

 

LENSON BOCKO (t5) leads at the first bend in heat 23 Photo: © Steve Nash

Priceless Jet (2-1) has won two out of two since switching to a wide seed for trainer Paul Hennessy and despite the time being some way off his 29.11 track record run from the previous week his winning performance in last week’s first round was equally as eye-catching.  Having to weave his way through the field he came there strongly when it mattered and despite tonight’s second round heat being deeper in quality he can pass the test and complete the hattrick in the process.  Roxholme Sheikh (9-4) was just picked off late by Liam Dowling’s Ballymac Wild last week but is certain to come on for that run.  He can take second with 2019 Irish Derby Champion Lenson Bocko (3-1) qualifying in third. Others Drumdoit Bomber (16-1) Brynhall Allstar (25-1) Minglers Popeye (33-1)

 

Irish dominate heat 7 as NEWINN SESSION (t2) leads All About Ted (t4 left of pic) at the turn Photo: © Steve Nash

Newinn Session (4-9) for Graham Holland may go and win this easily but there was enough in his first-round performance despite winning to warrant taking him on tonight.  Heading into the third turn he looked sure to run out an easy winner but his stride shortened drastically rounding the final two turns and what looked set to be an easy victory turned out to be a workmanlike one as he held off All About Ted by a couple of lengths.  Then on the way to the pick up his stride pattern was peculiar to say the least with him appearing to take a jump at one point resulting in him momentarily hurdling the inside rail.  It was a puzzling run and at what is likely to be a short enough price I’m going to take him on with Nathan Hunt’s Jonno You Go (7-2) who though slower on the clock than Session when winning his first-round heat was eminently more impressive to the eye both during the race and when roaring even further clear to the pick-up.  Jonno can win again at fair odds with Session qualifying in second and Patrick Janssens Aussie Captain (8-1) going through in third. Others: Shelbys Memory (14-1) Bodhis Bullet (40-1) Lightfoot Brogan (80-1)

 

Tight finish to heat 17 as BALLYMAC WILD (t1) gets up by a short head from Roxholme Sheikh (t2) with Soul Warrior a head back in third. Photo: © Steve Nash

Liam Dowling’s Ballymac Wild (9-4) put in a huge run when collaring Roxholme Sheikh late on in last week’s first round heat and he’s taken to follow that up with victory here.  This time he can just about get the better of his kennel mate Great Name That (3-1) who should improve for last week’s second placed effort behind Drumdoit Bruno whilst Toolmaker Sydney (7-4) can run on for third.  Sydney was an ultra-impressive winner last week in a flying 29.13 but it’s rare for him to be so quickly into stride and he can get back to his usual running on late tactics tonight.Others: Faughan Rebel (12-1) Shortwood (33-1)

 

Returning champ and heat 26 winner Deerjet Sydney (t2 blue jacket in rear) appears to have it all to do at the first bend as Deanridge Smidge (t6) leads round. Coney Wonderland (t1) and Dualla Prince (t3) also qualified after second bend trouble changed the complexion of the contest. Photo: © Steve Nash

Deerjet Sydney (5-4) was simply superb when landing the English Derby Final at Nottingham last year for trainer Pat Buckley and though he needed a slice of luck on his side to come through and win his first-round heat he’s not easily overlooked here.  I am going to take him on though with Tenpin (9-4) for Dave Mullins who is ideally housed in trap 1 and can just about get the better of his Irish trainer challenger in what should be a terrific buckle.  All About Ted (6-1) can take third for Peter Cronin. Others: Great Eastern (10-1) Bubbly Jubbly (25-1) Troy Firebird (25-1)

 

SAVANA DOMINO (t5) beating Perrysblueyedboy (t6)
Photo: © Steve Nash

Gemma Evans Droopys Addition (9-4) looks well housed to follow up last week’s first round heat success with victory once again in round two.  Addition can lead by the turn and though Gary Griffiths Savana Domino (14-1) will attempt to go with him for some way Addition should have too much for that rival as they head off the final turn.  Domino can hang on for second from the fast-finishing North East raider Cold As Ice (9-2) for Jimmy Fenwick. Others: Thorn Falcon (11-8), Chelms Prince (18-1) Feora Max (25-1)