The three chief protagonists in here would appear to the drawn in the red, orange and striped traps. All are capable of a ‘sub 24’ in a race for hounds who have won a maximum of one open. There could be a particularly interesting battle between Maxine Locke’s runners in the outside boxes. Lush is the more experienced and was fancied to win her Silver Maiden semi. Zoomey Senan is less exposed and was reeled-in in his last outing. Will he come on for the run, or will he always find four bends an issue? Although her record from stripes, is nowhere near as impressive as it is in orange, it has to be Lush. Leeview Glory should be able to find his own way around on the rails and looks the principle danger. Sel 6-1
Chelms Gask is one of the most consistent hounds at the track and capable of a ‘23.70s’ run every time he goes to traps. His biggest danger would appear to be Vis A Vis in red. A big striding pup has explosive pace but can’t afford to trap as badly as he did at Towcester last time out. How will he trap from red? His record in that box isn’t inspiring though it is a very small sample. On balance, and given he probably has the slowest breaker in the race as his immediate neighbour, he might be worth a tickle. Sel 1-4-5
Not the classiest race on the card. There are a couple in here with no course knowledge joined by a group of novices. All things considered, Bacon Roll might have the edge though she has to clear her inside neighbour who may be moving middle. She has A1 winning form over course and distance and this might be slightly easier to win. Droopys Pamela is another who could progress but is younger still. Crowding looks inevitable, not a race to dig deep into the pocket for. Sel 2-3-1
Four middles and two wides, lots of pups and minimal local form. There is a line of A1 winning for for Coolavanny Olly. If he could repeat that, he would be good enough here. Expect more improvement from Pro Cooper too following his experience at Oxford Sel 5-6-3
On all known form, Minnie Bullet has a little more than the rest. A multiple Cat One finalist, she reached the Essex Vase Final last year and has some room to play with on her inside. That might also play into the hands of Farneys Willie whose Oxford form would make him a player, albeit he probably wants a bit further. Bonville Jet will win his share when avoiding trouble. Swift Mellow would also be a big player on his best form Sel 2-3-4
Lots of local form in here and not a lot between them. A couple of the runners are returning to form after lay-off and the experienced Second Captain is one of them. He is a regular A1/S1 winner with sub24 form over this trip. Should improve from last week’s run. Droopys Adaptor is an improving youngster. Sel 2-1
Much better fare in here with plenty of sub24.00 form. Kevin Boon’s Farneys Trend has 17.53 sprint from at Nottingham and has probably underachieved for a dog with his ability. If he traps, he probably wins but it is no easy task. Ballyard Shawny was the fastest hound at Henlow last year and is flying for Jason Bloomfield. Supa Nova is among the best and most consistent in the Burr kennel. We’ve all seen Cat 2 finals with less quality than this. Sel 4-2-6
A race where the six-benders are meeting the pure marathon hounds. Gutsy Jet has been contesting the Cesarewitch, Coonough Crow is a former Golden Jacket finalist and Grand Prix winner. She has ability but could find trouble in a solo trials. So the value might be in Dave Lewis’ Alright Patricia. Her Oxford form would make her a serious player and her form behind Garfiney Blaze is equally decent. You would fancy him to win this by more than five lengths! Sel 5-2-3
Previewed elsewhere
Previewed elsewhere
Four locals taking on two raiders, both with plenty of form and little between them. With a recent 24.08 on his card, and almost a 1:3 strike rate, the narrow selection is Droopys Standard. Burgess Coolio has very similar credentials. But if you were staging this down the road at Harlow, the locals would all want to be on Front Mali. Sel 3-5-4
Mark Wallis argued the case for New Destiny to be seeded ‘middle’ before the start of the Essex Vase, for which she started as ante post favourite. She drew trap one twice and the result is there to be seen in her formline. The downside of a middle seeding is trap five – possibly even worse than T6! Nevertheless, she is quality personified and in possibly the lowest quality race she has contested to date, she should be too good for these. Sel 5-1-6
