The main event at Nottinghams Colwick Park stadium this evening is obviously The Carling Eclipse Final but there are six good class open races in support.
The first of which is the Coors Light Trophy over 480m at 7.52pm. Jimmy Fenwicks Lemon Noah accounted for Headford Cain over course and distance last week and I see no real reason to think that will be any different tonight. Noah can lead early and make every post a winning one once more.
Latest betting:11-4 Lemon Noah, 4-1 Headford Cain, Colston Legend, 9-2 Strides Farran, 7-1 Rockmount Ozzy, 10-1 Hometown Hero
Next up is the Worthington Puppy Trophy at 8.07pm. Calzaghe Sonic isn’t always foot perfect at trap rise, in fact he’s often very slowly away. He has good pace once his feet touch the floor though and if turning the first two bends without too much trouble he should prove far too strong for tonight’s rivals in the latter stages.
Ted Soppitt’s charge is the oldest in this field by quite some way, he runs out of puppy status at the end of this month and can put that experience to good use.
Latest betting: 1-1 Calzaghe Sonic, 7-2 Million Win, Seconds To Mars, 5-1 Swift Lettuce, 8-1 Movealong Denver, 14-1 Our Boy Jack
The Carling Cider Oaks Trophy over 500m is next up at 8.23pm and Lynn Cook’s Plaza Roicead (Next Best) is a strong selection.
‘Roicead’ was tardily away last week when beaten in last place behind Lemon Noah. This bitch is all about early pace and front running though.
A return to anything like a normal start should see her around the bend in front and that being the case she would prove extremely difficult to beat in a race of this context.
Latest betting: 6-4 Plaza Roicead, 3-1 Easy On, 4-1 Tisbutadream, 6-1 Ballymac Lydia, 13-2 Sonic Bubba, 8-1 Fancy Trend
It’s the turn of the stayers at 8.37pm and I’m siding with Anna Thompsons Locnamon Mike (NAP) to make all. ‘Mike’ has been kept to four bend races for a while now and that can prove a shrewd move by his astute trainer. Staying is ‘Mikes’ game but a run of consecutive races over four bends can see him redevelop the sparkle needed for him to showcase his ability over the longer trip. He’s been showing plenty enough at the traps over four bends just lately to suggest that he can ping out, make it to the first bend in front and from there on in it should be Mike against the clock.
Anything this side of evens would represent good value and he warrants a fair investment as the best bet on the card.
Latest betting:13-8 Locnamon Mike, 7-4 Headford Maurice, 4-1 Lissatouk Max, 11-2 Piemans Warrior, 8-1 Fabulous Marina, 12-1 Superb Beauty
With the National Sprint fast approaching some of the leading sprinters in the UK are looking to gain valuable experience of the Colwick Park circuit.
Dave Mullins Troy Bella won one of the hottest sprints of the year over course and distance last week. Trapping well he was in a fair position in any case on the outside of the field but as the inside runners crowded ‘Bella’ soon took advantage and skipped clear.
Latest betting: 5-4 Troy Bella, 4-1 Coal Butler, 7-1 Lil Bombastic, 8-1 Wokeen, 8-1 Swift Biscuit, 12-1 Vancouver Mike
It’s the main event of the evening at 9.06pm, The Carling Eclipse, set to be run over the 500m trip, it’s a competition laden with history and one which is always won by a greyhound of the very highest calibre.
At the beginning of this competition I spoke about Jimmy Fenwicks Ice On Fire and how superstar is an overused term but that in the case of this particular greyhound it was a term more than justified.
Nothing that ‘Fire’ has done in both his heat and more impressively in the semi final has detracted from this view. He equalled his own sectional track record of 4.86 in last week’s semi and from a plot draw in trap 3 this evening he can ping out and make all.
Sure he’s got the early of Bramble Reggie to his immediate outside to contend with and that of local hope Plaza Lep in trap 1.
If ‘Fire’ traps out though there isn’t a dog in the land that can go with him and his stamina is improving with each run. Will he represent value, most likely not, just sit back and enjoy a greyhound racing superstar in action.
As well as the aforementioned Lep and Reggie, King Dylan, Forest Alan and King Sheeran line up in opposition. All are greyhounds of the highest quality themselves and will be aiming to be in position A should ‘Fire’ fluff his lines.
Latest betting: 8-15 Ice On Fire, 6-1 Bramble Reggie, Plaza Lep, 8-1 King Sheeran, 20-1 King Dylan, Forest Alan
Last but by no means least is the Coors Light Trophy over 480m. Peter Harnden’s Forest Mike is the selection in a hugely competitive race. Though a tight railer by nature this dog does trap better from middle draws, he can ping out once more before quickly ceasing command of the rail. He’s a difficult dog to pass once in front and he can complete the hat-trick in style.
Latest betting: 2- Waikiki Lad, 9-2 Grogeen Country, 9-4 Forest Mike, 6-1 Troy Firebird, 6-1 Lemon Ronald, 10-1 Cinderella Man.
