First staged 76 years ago, the All England Cup rates alongside Jackie Milburn, Newcastle Brown and Blaydon Races as a Geordie institution.
It’s prestige has slipped a little in recent years, largely due to a stagnation in prize money combined with a self imposed boycot of many southern raiders who didn’t fancy the onerous task of taking on the powerful local kennels in their own backyard.
But a record prize money carrot – £20K to the winner – has resulted in arguably the highest quality entry in many years, if not ever. The enigmatic Coolavanny Shado heads the betting at 3-1. Brilliantly fast, but also vulnerable when missing his break, he has a third opportunity to land his first Cat One event having missed out at Yarmouth and Perry Barr where he is the track record holder.
The heavily oversubscribed event saw 20 fail to make the drum, though half the field are locally trained with Select Stakes winner Brookside Richie the shortest priced of the 18.
Coolavanny Aunty Going for a fourth Cat One win, Aunty would prefer an extra half lap but her 480 record is excellent. She was beaten half a length by Jaguar Macie in the Angel Of The North over course and distance and a similar distance in last year’s Puppy Classic Final at Nottingham. She won Towcester’s Empress Stakes over 500m. She has seven wins and two seconds from 13 wins on this course. (20)
Breaghmore Patch Ran very well to finish runner-up in the Sunderland Classic from trap five and third in the Steel City Cup. The biggest concern is that his Newcastle form to date – seven trials and a race – is way below that form (100)
Global Prima Two wins from 10 UK races and a decent, though not spectacular Irish card. Ran three consecutive ‘28.40s’ runs at Perry Barr where she ran fifth (9-1) in the Oaks Final which might be a guide to her ability. Well held by Slick Sakina on all known form (20)
Freedom Alibi An 8-1 chance when successful in February’s Northern Puppy Derby over this course and distance and was beaten favourite in the Monmore Puppy Derby. Slow to come to hand after a lay-off, though his most recent trial suggested he is getting there. Not without chances in here, given the draw and a reasonable chance to get a run early. Should be staying on as well as any, with the possible exception of the red. (66)
Crystal Cardi A runner-up to kennelmate ‘Alice’ in this year’s Angel of the North, and finished fifth in the Puppy Classic behind Distant Podge. Has progressed nicely from the grades at Perry Barr and has five open race wins. This is a step up in class though (66)
Bramble Majestic Originally known as Killeacle Phelps he went four rounds of the Irish Derby but without ever really making a big impression. It is hard to see him qualifying in a clean run race. (100)
Moanteen Cindy A calculated 28.73 at Clonmel in her only win in seven races in Ireland. Graded nicely at Brough but will need to step up to make any progress here. (66)
Goldies Jennings A ‘24.00 Romford type’ who finished fifth in the Romford Puppy Cup and was moved on by Patrick Janssens. He reached a Silver Salver Final and ran a few D1 races at Central Park. The performance of his career possibly came on November 29. A 1:5 career strike rate. Up against it here. (80)
Swift Iconic The form book shows he went unbeaten through the Oxfordshire Gold Cup. The fact that John Mullins is travelling to Newcastle probably tells an even bigger story. Has 17.66 on his card for the Nottingham Sprint and 29.45 for Towcester’s 500m so no doubts about early or stamina. A serious greyhound (12)
Crystal Pinkys Spent the early part of her career as an A1/minor open race type at Central Park. There isn’t a lot to suggest she has left that form behind. (50)
Slick Sakina A fabulous female chasing an eight-timer and a third consecutive ‘PGR’ title after the Oaks and Eclipse. Assuming most hounds would find at least a couple of lengths with the benefit of a trial, Sakina would be good enough to win this. But because of delays in the Eclipse she didn’t get one and may not be able to give those two lengths to Iconic who has been around. Offer her trainer a qualifying place now and he would take your hand off. (8)
Clerihan Axle He wouldn’t start as favourite to win an A1 at his home track. Looks way out of his depth here. (125)
Brinkleys Magic One of the dark horses in the event. Lightly raced in Ireland his form includes a heat win (28.34) in the Juvenile Derby at Shelbourne Park after 28.16/28.18 trials. Looks well suited by the draw and has ability but only seven races in his career and that might go against him at this level. (50)
Droopys Gravy Went a few rounds of the Irish Derby and hasn’t been disgraced in his three UK opens to date. Some run that trial at Nottingham, but still to show it in race company. Others with superior form in here (50)
Brookside Richie Romford Puppy Cup, Juvenile Classic and Select Stakes winner. Only raced once over course and distance – 28.44 (-20). Class on legs but beaten in his last four. Recent trial suggests there is nothing seriously amiss but you will know your fate within the first 30 yards. (12)
Paisleys Pearl Apart from getting within two lengths of Move Over Cha at Sunderland, it is hard to make a case for her. Was running A5 at Monmore in August (50)
Blackhouse Harry Only 18 months old when he ran third in the Northern Puppy Derby back in February and then withdrawn from the Monmore Puppy Derby decider. He has had all kinds of setbacks in recent months but a 28.12 trial over c&d in October suggests he isn’t far away. A huge price ante post – bordering on disrespectful. Worth a chance despite the obvious class of Richie (66)
Little Seven Did well to make the cut for the 36 – almost certainly helped by his seeding. Local grader with a 1:7 strike rate. (100)
Coolavanny Shado An absolute machine of a greyhound. Where do you start? His 28.28 at Tralee on debut? His 15.53 sprint trial at Towcester? His 27.23 first look at Yarmouth? His 27.77 track record at Perry Barr? His 29.30 for 500m at Nottingham? The reality is, he has won nothing yet, but no dogs will be more keenly followed tonight. With a decent break, his pace to the third bend is awe inspiring. (3)
Skywalker Stan Winner of last year’s ARC Puppy Trophy beating Brookside Richie at Sunderland, he was runner-up in the Young Guns at Sheffield and last in the 2021 All England Cup Final. He has clocked 28.59 over this course on three separate occasions. Stan has never really kicked on in his career, but never out of contention either. There are at least three others in this toughest heat with better credentials, and you would suspect that at least one will get an opportunity to prove it. (66)
March On Larry What a lovely greyhound! Fast and consistent, he has won his last five in a row and a quick look at his form and times tells you everything you need to know about him. Expect a run and if anyone fails to deliver, you can rely on Larry (25)
Untold Yen A decent minor open racer who would have had reasonable opportunity to make the semis in a moderate heat. This is not that heat, and apart from the ante post favourite, he is taking on three hounds with specialist knowledge of the track. Up against it. (100)
Killieford Defoe His last three wins have been two A2s and a handicap. Hard to see him getting anything out of this. (100)
Moanteen Mikey For a dog who is widely reckoned not to see out the trip, he didn’t do too badly when holding off the field in last year’s final on going rated (-30). As a rare wide seed it would be a shock if he didn’t make the final. So not bad value surely? (25)
Starcash Henry If this race was at Doncaster, Henry would be well supported by the locals. Pacey but fragile, he has only raced eight times in the last ten months. Ideally drawn but taking on others who look better suited to the track and distance. (33)
Good Vienna Four open race wins to date and all over this trip. Faces a battle for early supremacy with her white jacketed neighbour and that could cost her a clear run. (66)
Wraysbury Diva It will be ‘bang, catch me if you can’ for this popular A1 regular. If 28.60 was good enough to win this qualifier, then Diva has as good a chance as any. But there might be others with loftier expectations. (66)
Bockos Palace Mixed it in high class company in Ireland where he has 32.36 winning form for 600 yards at Shelbourne. Ran second to Slick Sakina in the semis and final of the Eclipse. Not the toughest heat and would ideally like a little further, but class might see him through. (10)
Lightfoot Clark Qualified into A2 and continues to progress having ran third in the Puppy Classic Final. This is a level higher. Course knowledge may help but is arguably held by a couple of the other locals 80
Crystal Countess Some decent form at Kilkenny as a youngster but beaten in her first two races in Britain. On her Irish form, she is well held by the four (100)
Move Over Cha A proper greyhound and almost certainly better value in the market than the favourite. Won the Gold Cup, Classic at Sunderland and just beaten a head in the Steel City Cup. Great strike rate and 28.50 form over this trip. Looks significantly overpriced. (16)
Abigails Jen Cracking local with five wins and a second in her last seven at Newcastle. Realistically though a ‘28.60 bitch’ (66)
Crystal Alice Angel Of The North winner (8-1) in 28.31 having spent a former live in S1 at Hove. Really decent type but there are others in the heat with stronger credentials. (80)
Mr Chelm Acknowledged as one of the best middle distance runners on either side of the Irish Sea under his previous name, Kildare. Runner-up (9-4f) in The Star Sports English Derby Final with 29.09, 29.11 and 29.16 calculated times on his card. Eliminated in the second round of the Irish Derby, he went on to win the Plate in 29.35, which was considerably quicker than the final. On all know form, should reach the final and figure in the tricast places. (8)
Mickys Barrett Finished one place behind Kildare at Towcester having made his name in the Northern Puppy Derby clocking 28.38 in the semi final. Loves the place, having also finished runner-up in the Northern Flat. Would have started favourite to win at least half the first round heats of the All England. Should make it through quite comfortably. (14)
Droopys Biggy Started out as quite a prospect making the Young Guns Final and winning some fast A1s. Finished a position behind Mickys in the Northern Flat. A slow starter who would need trouble in front to run on for a place. (50)
