The semi finals of the Coral Essex Vase and Silver Maiden head the open race action from Romord tonight.
The £10K Essex Vase produced a good quality first round with Havana Top Note the marginally fastest heat winner but is only fifth in the ante post betting.
10am Ladbrokes betting: 15/8 Aayamza Sydney, 9/4 Queen Dusty, 4/1 King Ezra, 5/1 Queen Leona, 7/1 Singalong Stacey, 12/1 Crossfield Ria
The 15/8 about Aayamza Sydney does not appear great value given his draw in trap four, albeit he ran very well last week. John Mullins’ black and white is a big 37 kilo monster who would probably clock the fastest time in a solo trial, but that seems an unlikely scenario in here. Queen Dusty on the other hand should lead up from trap six. We know she likes the track having reached the Puppy Cup Final. She blew up having led in her heat and will surely find several lengths on last week’s run. 9/4 looks tremendous value. Singalong Stacey did nothing wrong on her six bend debut and should also come on for the run Sel 6-1-4
10am Ladbrokes betting: 13/8 Havana Top Note, 2/1 Queen Georgia, 4/1 Never Say No, 11/2 Ballymac Johnjo, 10/1 Farneys Willie, 20/1 Glideaway Hugo
The KSS kennel have the top two in the market here, headed by Havana Top Note. The brindle looked minor open class early in his career but has progressed beyond that. He may not be ‘top draw’ but he isn’t far away and has the heart of a lion. Last week’s heat run was typical and he has the opportunity to be in closer contention early on.
But if anyone can beat him, Queen Georgia can. There wouldn’t be many in the entire competition capable of breaking 29.00 for the Derby course, but Georgia has. This is also, possibly, closer to her ideal trip than Top Note’s. Never Say No is an improving young dog and can step up on heat form. Sel 4-3-1
(What Rab McNair had to say about tonight’s KSS runners)
10am Ladbrokes betting: 11/10 Romeo Hotshot, 5/2 Minnie Bullet, 6/1 Bonville Jet, 7/1 Golden Palace, 8/1 Droopys Stairway, 14/1 Roxys Bullet
Ante post favourite Romeo Hotshot has won four of his six races over course and distance with a personal best in the first round. Is he value though at a shade over evens? He is definitely best in front and while there may be doubts about Roxys Bullet‘s stamina, he is a regular 27.70 hound at Yarmouth running off the front and he loves the red jacket. If he steals the rail, the whole complexion of race changes. Who benefits??? At 5/2, last year’s Essex Vase third Minnie Bullet can never be left out of any equation with Bonville Jet would be a player if repeating last week’s run. Sel 4-3-5
Bet365 have extended their sponsorship to include the Northamptonshire Sprint.
The 270m competition will run over 3 consecutive Sunday afternoons with the heats starting on 28th January – entries for 36 greyhounds will close at noon on Wednesday 24th January. The £3,000 to the winner final will take place on Sunday 11th February with all rounds being broadcast live on GTV.
James Chalkley, Director of Racing said “We would like to thank bet365 for their continued commitment to the sport and we are delighted to be working with them on what will be their fifth event as sponsor”
Pat Cooney of bet365 said “we’re extremely happy to be sponsoring a sprint competition having recently covered the Puppy, Bitches, Stayers and Marathon divisions. The Northamptonshire Sprint has always been a popular destination for top class sprinters at the beginning of the year and we look forward to this year’s renewal”.
Weekend opens
Saturday: Central Park Doncaster Monmore Oxford (AM) x
Henlow have confirmed that the last four races on Sunday – the track’s last meeting before closure – will all be opens.
