Joe’s Romford Tips

*** 7.44 Romford – Cat Island (2/1 Coral)
** 9.28 Romford – March On Kit (5/4 Coral)
*8.54 Romford – Bombay Jupiter (7/2 Coral)

Plenty of open race action to get stuck into this evening at Romford.

Friday’s Nap

The Nap of the night runs in the 7.44, a 400m standard. Cat Island ran well on his return to Romford last week behind an impressive winner in Stonework Champ.

He is well drawn in trap one with a vacant box on his immediate outside in trap two. Romeo To Victory, Droopys Rarity and Teaboy Brownie all need to lead to win so the race can work in Cat Island’s favour to go and win.

Next Best

The Next Best of the evening is March On Kit in the Maiden Stayers over 575m at 9.28.

She was on a four-timer over C&D last week in S1 company but bumped into an impressive Dreamin Magpie who got off the front and made all. Tonight should be more straightforward for David Mullins’s charge as she looks to dominate from an early stage. Key to the race is leading Bockos Wazza who is the main danger to March On Kit. However if she leads trap four she shouldn’t be for catching.

Value Bet

The value bet of the evening is Bombay Jupiter in the Romford Friday Night 500 Maiden Final at 8.54.

He is extremely well drawn in trap one. In last week’s heats, Knockbann Daisy ran from trap two with Magical Ronaldo in trap three. Magical Ronaldo swerved right from the traps giving Knockbann Daisy a lovely run into the race.

However, Knockbann Daisy is drawn outside Magical Ronaldo this evening in trap four. She will need to be on her toes to avoid him and that could pave the way for Bombay Jupiter on the inside to take advantage.

There is also a Romford Friday Night 500 Maiden Stayers Final over 575m at 9.11. I fancy Bockos Thunder to beat the odds on favourite Bubbly Breezer.

New Swindon Track Record

The 682m track record was broken last night and then rattled again.

Ballymac Loca for Angie Kibble took five spots off Ballymac Mags’ record from March 2023 when clocking 41.13. It was an eighth open race win of the year for Loca, seven over the 682 at Swindon and one over 650 at Oxford.

Just half an hour later, Hopiehopiehopie did 41.14 for Kevin Hutton. Formerly, Ballymac Katie, she is part of the exceptional September 21 litter that includes Ballymac Taylor, Haka Carlo and Garfiney Blaze.

Paul Foster had a strong night with two open race winners in Southfield Duke and Southfield Queen. The kennel would also pick up graded contests courtesy of Baggios Gizmo and Classic Tiger for four winners overall.

Loggies Knight for Simon Harms and Paul Godfrey’s Arthur Length were the other two open race winners on the card.

Hove Review

Candolim Monsoon was the star turn on Thursday night at Hove.

After breaking a bone in his shoulder last October at Romford it was thought the dog would not race again. Not only has the Derek Knight team nursed him back to the track, but he has won four of his seven starts and made the semi-finals of the Sussex Cup.

A 30.03 on a track rated -10 is well within his wheelhouse and once in front he never looked like being caught. A veteran next month, he still looks to have plenty left to offer. Bregawn Kate was successful in a sprint contest to give Knight a double.

Lightfoot Falcon took the honours over six bends with a 41.97 (-15) success for Seamus Cahill.  Tolerance won the opening race on the evening for Cahill, a maiden over 515m.

Other trainers to double up on the evening were Patrick Browne and Jamie Kingsley. Mylordflashheart and Rapido Ali were Browne’s winners while Voyage Bono and Able Partner won the final two races on the card for Kingsley.

Other winners on an all-open race card were Gemma Byford’s Herrick, Bluejig Baron for Dave Lee, Brentfordpenguin for Matt Dartnall and Lossies Ace for Jason Heath.

Nottingham expects 300 newcomers on Monday

Hundreds of first-time racegoers will experience the thrill of live greyhound racing at Nottingham Stadium on bank holiday Monday, thanks to headline sponsor Jenningsbet.

The national bookmaker, which operates over 200 shops across the UK, is providing free transport to 300 of its customers and employees with several pick-up points organised ahead of Nottingham’s bank holiday showpiece.

Guests of the meeting’s title sponsor will watch 12 races trackside, including the Category One Jenningsbet Puppy Classic final, the 73rd running of the Jenningsbet Select Stakes and Jenningsbet Select Stayers.

The feature races will kickstart Nottingham Stadium’s National Greyhound Week celebrations, with champion racers Mickys Barrett and Blue Trooper set for special returns to the Colwick Park venue while one of its homing partners Seaside Greyhounds will be onsite too.

Derek Somers, Retail Performance Manager at Jenningsbet, hopes the move will prompt a new wave of regular racegoers among its employee and customer base.

“We’re very proud to support Nottingham’s bank holiday card and can’t wait for a great evening of racing,” said Derek. “Greyhound racing is part of the national sporting fabric, and we wholly appreciate the work of everyone in the industry who contributes to its operation.

“Many of our employees and customers haven’t had the opportunity to watch a race live before, so we’re using National Greyhound Week as a lever to get people trackside and see the action first-hand.

“No words can quite describe the experience of watching a greyhound run in full flight fulfilling its instincts. We hope our guests have a wonderful night and return trackside in the future.”

Nottingham are delighted

David Evans, general manager at Nottingham Stadium, said: “Our thanks go to Jenningsbet and Derek for being such strong supporters of our Puppy Classic, Select Stakes and Select Stayers card.

“To bring so many first-time racegoers trackside is a testament to the team’s enthusiasm for the sport and we wish them an enjoyable evening.”

Nottingham Stadium opens its doors at 5.30 pm on Monday, August 26, for its showpiece summer fixture. Admission is free for all racegoers with the first of 12 races due off at 6.37 pm.

Eamon Maginn has passed

The Tullymurry prefix has been synonymous with success in the sport. 

Since the 1970s Maginn had been involved with the sport of greyhound racing. Tullymurry Act is arguably the most successful in recent years, both on the track and as a stud dog.

Although no longer carrying her original name (Tullymurry Faith) Slick Sakina was the most recent success story for Maginn. She, of course, was the winner of the 2022 Oaks and Eclipse for owner-trainer combo Keith Allsopp and Patrick Janssens.

His son Damian has trained more than 1100 winners in Ireland. The most recent of those was Tullymurry Go On at Dundalk earlier this month. The legacy will hopefully continue on.

Stats

  • Swift Charming – 5.12 Crayford – 5/9 in S3 grade.
  • Tickity Robyn – 7.06 Nottingham – 7/13 from trap three in A2 grade.
  • Mitchies Mountain – 7.42 Harlow – 5/9 when clad in stripes in A4 grade
  • Druids Say Go – 8.36 Romford – 7/9 in opens at the track.
  • Kapuka Warrior – 9.10 Kilkenny – 4/4 in A1 grade.

Opens

Friday: Romford
Saturday: Doncaster ♦ Yarmouth
Sunday: Sheffield
Monday: Nottingham