DOGS TO FOLLOW – FOUR MONTH REPORT -PT II

Anna Thompson nominated Haggswood River and has been repaid follows in spades.  River has won six staying open races this year at odds of 5/4 , 5/4 , 3/1 , 14/1 , 2/5 and evens.  River won a heat of the Queen Mother Cup at Sheffield.  An extremely difficult bitch to pass when getting her head in front.

Barry O’Sullivan opted for Dark Midnight as his dog to follow for this year.  Competing in 11 graded races at Central Park this year to date, Midnight has won 2 of those at odds of 2/1 and 4/1.

Tony Bullen is one of the leading open race judges in the game and gave readers Magical Icarus to follow for this year.  Icarus rattled off a five timer during the month of March , winning twice each at Hove and Monmore and once at Swindon.  SP’s of 4/7 . 1/4 , 2/7 , 1/5 and 4/7 might not have got anybody rich but this remains a greyhound of huge ability.  He reached the final of the Regency at Hove , finishing last, after running second in both heat and semi final of the same competition.  He remains a leading player in all of the major six bend events.

Jim Reynolds put up Borna Flo and she has a record of 4 from 9 this year at Crayford all at generous odds.  SP’s of 9/2 , 5/1 , 5/1 and 3/1 will have pleased any reader who kept this young bitch on side.

Irish trainer Peter Cronin tipped up Crossfield Con as his runner to follow.  He’s only been spotted on the track once however, which was when winning the semi final of a good class open stake at Shelbourne at odds of 4/1.  Withdrawn from the final and not seen out since , Peter tells me that Con is making very good progress on his return from injury , he continues to rate the dog extremely highly.

Dave Clark has established himself as one of the leading open race judges in the land.  His regular Dave Clark doubles via his work with Ladbrokes have a huge following and often leave Ladbrokes bosses with their heads in their hands.  Dave put up Queen Beyonce as his bitch to follow for the year ahead.  Beyonce hasn’t been seen out this year but has trialled well recently including this week at Nottingham in preparation for the Derby.  Beyonce could just about be ready to hit a rich vein of form at just the right time.  Keep her onside.

Leading greyhound racing commentator and shrewd judge Paul Lawrence bravely nominated an unraced pup trained by John Mullins at Yarmouth as his dog to follow and what an absolutely inspired selection he was.  Saving Face has had 18 races since debuting in December , winning A5 – A3 and a maiden and a puppy open for good measure at odds of 6/4 , 2/1 , 2/1 , 3/1 and a huge 16/1 when winning his puppy race , he is firmly heading the right way.

Jason Barrasford put up Newinn Banger , please see comments already attached to Pat Rosney’s selection.

Kevin Boon has an excellent team of open race dogs and isn’t afraid to travel.  Kevin suggested his staying dog Headford Maurice and he has won three of his fourteen races so far this year at odds of 4/5 , 12/1 and 6/1.  Maurice also reached the final of the Ladbrokes Golden Jacket at Crayford in February.

Nottingham trainer Colin Wilton is developing a reputation as a man to be feared when the money is down.  His greyhounds have been noted as landing a number of substantial gambles over recent months.  Colin put up Superb Beauty as his greyhound to follow for 2019 and has now won 3 of her 8 races this year at 4/1 twice and at 6/4 when the subject of a mammoth gamble when winning first time over the tough six bend trip at Nottingham at the end of April.

Leading Irish commentator Ian Fortune is well regarded as a shrewd judge of a greyhound , particularly those running around Shelbourne Park.  Ian gave us the Graham Holland trained Wolfe to follow , now a winner of six of his eight races this year at odds of 4/7 , evens , 4/6 , 6/4 , 2/1 and 1/3.  Wolfe trialled at Nottingham this week in preparation for a tilt at the Derby.

Aidan Comerford , a huge supporter of greyhound racing in Ireland over many years , put forward Killer Bee and Jazz Beat as his greyhounds to follow for 2019.  Bee has won 2 of his 5 races so far this year at odds of 4/5 and even money , whilst Jazz Beat is yet to win in four races this year and has been off the card since early March.

I put my own neck on the line with Ballymac Osby as my dog to follow this year.  Osby has won 4 of his 7 races so far this year 4/11 , 6/4 , 1/2 and 6/4.  Osby rattled off a quick fire hat trick in March , including when winning heat and final of a Sunday Night Standard competition.  Osby will be competing in the Derby for trainer Kevin Hutton.