The elimination of ante post favourite Coolavanny Shado was the main talking point of the opening round of the PGR All England Cup at Newcastle with local hero Brookside Richie reminding the Geordies that form is temporary, class is a 28.49 on -20 going.
Ht 1 – It was a mixed night for Southern raider Patrick Janssens who won the opening heat with this third string runner. Having had the benefit of a trial over the course, Global Prima found four and a half lengths second time around to clock a calculated 28.64. Local heroine Coolavanny Aunty (5-4f) – who would surely find herself favourite for the Greyhound of the Year title should she win out, having already won three Cat One events in 2022 – went safely through in third.
Ht 2 – Swift Iconic made it four wins in a row but left time on the track both in his sectional, down seven spots, and also losing time having misjudged the first turn. Crystal Pinkys ran on for a worthy second place. Second favourite Slick Sakina was particularly unlucky. Disadvantaged by not having trialled, she seemed set to make a race of it when challenging at the first bend only to check and run very wide before fading late. The tricast meet again in the same semi final next Tuesday with the Mullins runner drawn on the inside of Cindy.
Ht 3 – There were question marks over whether Brookside Richie was anywhere near his best after defeat in four consecutive outings. But a flying sprint trial suggested all was well and the Eclipse winner was never seriously troubled despite a moderate sectional (13 spots slower than his best). There was trouble behind though it was never going to affect the winner. His next challenge is a tough second semi final featuring four heat winners. (see below).
Ht 4 – Favourite Coolavanny Shado showed, just as he had done at Yarmouth in the East Anglian Derby Final, that if he misses his break and isn’t dominating at the first bend, he is inclined to go straight on. In the meantime the most appropriately named runner on the card, March On Larry, made it six in a row. His sectional was a dozen spots off his best, but the Angela Harrison runner was never challenged and won by a couple with all six wins being within 22 spots of each other. He is one of three kennelmates due to contest the third semi final.
Ht 5 Most of the heats went to the early leader. This proved an exciting buckle between Wraysbury Diva, who set the fastest sectional on the night, and the powerful Starcash Henry. Paul Rutherford’s Diva, who was running A4 at the start of the year, gave it everything, clocking her fastest time to date, but has hauled iin by Jimmy Gaskin’s strong running black.
Ht 6 There was a third Towcester winner on the night, and a double for John Mullins as Mr Chelm (aka Kildare) landed the tightest of the six heats. The Derby runner-up was reasonably away and took an early lead without it every looking decisive. He survived a persistent challenge from Mickys Barrett and Move Over Cha with the first three separated by three quarters of a length.
