Joe’s Friday Tips

*** 8.01 Romford – Hawkfield Diego (9/4 Coral)
** 7.44 Romford – Bombay Zero (6/4 Coral)
*8.36 Romford – Jeopardy Hawk (7/2 Coral)

The start of an action-packed open race weekend sees us head to Romford for this evening’s selections.

Ballymac Taylor is the highlight of the evening as she lines up in the PGR On Sky Sports Racing Marathon over 750m at 9.46 to close the card.

There are three heats of the Romford Friday Night 500 Standard where Hot Rod from trap six can get back to winning ways in heat one at 7.27.

Heat two at 7.44 can go the way of Bombay Zero from trap two. He ran a huge race in defeat behind Aero Convey last Friday and if getting a clear run at Shirleys Boy from the second bend he should have too much for that rival late on.

The Nap of the night runs in heat three at 8.01. Trap four Hawkfield Diego clocked 23.80 off a 3.62 sectional first look at the track when getting beaten half a length by Avarua Zlatan. A similar exit and run can see Roy Peckham’s charge lead and make all.

Other selections are trap five, History, in the 400m Bitches at 7.11. Trap three Jeopardy Hawk against the short-priced Bubbly Breezer in the 575m maiden at 8.36 and trap two Fabulous Sonique in the 575m stayers at 9.11

Suffolk Downs Update

Suffolk Downs suffered a fire on July 30. Joe spoke to Kevin Boothby to get an update on how the track recovery is going after the first week and a half. There is still some way to go to get racing back on but the aim is very much to ensure that greyhound racing will be a fixture at the Suffolk track.

Ernie Skeech has passed away

We are sad to report the death of popular North Western ‘dog man’ Ernie Skeech (95) following a short illness. Ernie and son Mark achieved considerable success over the years, both on ‘the flaps’ and more recently with 2022 Laurels finalist Trionas Travel. Son Mark said: “He gave his life to dogs and enjoyed every minute.” Funeral details to follow.

Ballyhimikin Rex retired

Ahead of the Willwego.com Irish St Leger semi-finals on Saturday, news has emerged that Ballyhimikin Rex has been retired. He was set to go in the second semi, generally the third favourite for the competition outright.

He had produced a 29.53 and a 29.55 during the opening three rounds of the competition, two of the top performances of his career. A 12-time winner, he is part of a smart January 21 litter by Ballyhimikin Jet out of Slaneyside Poppy.

Billy Dunne confirmed that the dog had suffered a career-ending injury on Twitter. The dog will spend his retirement with Dunne and will cover a few bitches.

Friday Stats

  • A Bit Of Nala – 6.02 Newcastle – Has three wins in four runs when in an A7 from trap two.
  • Knockbann Daisy – 6.53 Romford – Yet to be beaten in graded company, 5/5.
  • Sporting Jerico – 7.24 Harlow – A perfect 5/5 when running in D3 grade.
  • Cheque For Sir – 9.15 Kilkenny – 10/15 in A2 grade at the track.

Opens

Friday: Romford
Saturday: Doncaster ♦  Monmore ♦ Yarmouth
Sunday: Crayford ♦ Sheffield ♦ Towcester