FRIDAY ROUND UP

Langford can land Romford Maiden Final Success

Ian Langford has been a popular figure within greyhound racing for many years and since taking out his training license in the not too distant past has enjoyed a fair amount of success. Shortly before Christmas last year however Ian hit upon some health issues which though have proven a tough and ongoing battle to overcome have been tackled in the tough style that anybody who knows Ian would expect.

Ian told the Greyhound Star “Things have been tough over the past few months but they’ve been made an awful lot easier by the magnificent support I’ve received from all my staff and those at Monmore stadium who simply couldn’t have done anymore for me. Particular praise must go to racing manager Tony Williamson who has been absolutely first class.

Ian spoke about his two runners in the 921pm Romford Friday Night 500 Maiden Final and said “Drumdoit Finn and Cor Blimey are two very nice young pups and though Finn will likely be priced short after a very decent heat win I’d say there isn’t too much between the pair. They actually trialled together around here and though Finn ran out a comfortable enough winner most of the 4 1/4 lengths that Blimey was beat can be accounted for by crowding on the track.

“There’s a big run in Blimey once he gets his trapping together so anybody thinking about backing Finn would in my opinion at least be well advised to save on his kennel mate at what will likely be decent odds. We’ve chances of that there is no doubt but we’re certainly no formalities for the race with Paul Burr’s Lightfoot Honey looking nicely drawn this time around in particular.

“Both pups are owned by The Gafa Syndicate and big thanks to them for the support they’ve shown me. They started with just the one dog and are now up to owning six or seven in the kennel”.

There are eight supporting opens on the night including three heats of the Romford Friday Night 500 Standard and also the Bacon Roll Bitch Of The Month For December race over 400m staged at 656pm. Lining up from trap 4 here for trainer Paul Burr and owners Mr & Mrs Bacon this May 2022 daughter of Droopys Sydney and Geelo Gold Dust landed the award courtesy of a superb A1 hattrick in the second half of December and will tonight attempt to secure her first victory in open class.

Colwick Park Open Action

Three opens at Nottingham’s Colwick Park this evening with two heats of the Nottingham-Greyhounds.co.uk Standard Trophy being supported by a similarly titled Maiden Sprint affair.

Local trainers Colin Wilton and Lynn Cook look to hold solid claims of landing the standard trophy heats with Sambar Kian (Heat 1 at 614pm) and Bitumen (Heat 2 at 632pm) whilst the maiden sprint (727pm) has a decidedly more open feel about it with any of the participants able to lay claim.

Nottingham’s traditional Monday evening open race fixture see’s entries close today at 11am with various options available. Contact the racing office on 0115 910 3331 to enter and for any further information.

BARLOWS VIOLET UP AND RUNNING IN NORTHERN PUPPY DERBY

Doncaster trainer Phil Barlow saw his March 2022 bitch Velvet Violet owned by the Close Shave Syndicate get her career up and running at the third time of asking when posting a fastest of the first round 2866 (normal) in the Northern Puppy Derby at Newcastle last night. Taking an early lead the March 2022 daughter of Deerjet Sydney and Velvet Spring beat of Kevin Hutton’s Ballymac Zari by half a length. The first three home in each heat all qualify through to next weeks semi final stage and the draw and full form is reproduced below.