Perry Barr RM Martin Seal has a fabulous record in his racing previews. Tonight he goes through the runners in the Arena Racing Company Judgement Night competition plus some fabulous supporting opens.
In terms of the competition itself, Patrick Janssens will start as the strong favourite at 4-7. They then go 7-2 Matt Dartnall, 10-1 John Mullins, 12-1 Mark Wallis, 14-1 Richard Rees, 25-1 Kevin Hutton
Remeber the points are score: 10, 7, 5, 3, 2, 1 with double points for a joker.
JOKER SELECTIONS (double points)
Mark Wallis – Gougane Jet (Dash, 19:51)
Patrick Janssens – Fabulous Azurra (Bitches, 20:21)
Kevin Hutton – Sleek By Design (Stayers, 20:52)
John Mullins – Callmesteve (Stayers, 20:52)
Richard Rees – Cochise (Stayers, 20:52)
Matt Dartnall – Droopys Ambush (Standard, 21:11)
Kicking off proceedings on what promises to be a great night’s racing is an Arena Racing Company sponsored 480m bitches contest. Cambridge based Mark Newberry does well with his small string, not least Bennys Chancer, who is five from thirteen since arriving on these shores. Wins at Notts (18.05sec) and Romford (24.00sec) are not too shabby at all. Droopys Request got off the mark at Central Park in February, followed up at Monmore a week later, and is expected to improve on last month’s sighter where she stumbled at the start. Dave Acott has Greenhill Evie in good shape at present, and can pop out and make every post a winning one for owners The Travelling Lads.
Sel: 1-3-5
The Premier Greyhound Racing Judgement Night Puppy is up next. Droopys Riddle made light work of the opposition on debut at Oxford, clocking a good sectional in the process, and can give the others plenty to think about here if equally effective sporting the red jacket. Slick Saratoga has been brought along steadily by Patrick Janssens, and reached the semi-finals of Monmore’s PGR Puppy Derby. Keith Allsop’s black has not pulled up any trees in two sighters but, like all of these, the best is yet to come. Rioja Maxi is unraced in both Ireland and the UK, but her early zip could easily cause problems for the pair drawn inside. Wrighty is one for the future, but could have a say in matters if able to stay out of trouble.
Sel: 2-1-4
Ballymac Slapup finished a gallant runner up behind the track record breaking winner of October’s ARC Scurry Gold Cup here at Perry Barr, and although John Mullins’ black and white will be four in June, this likeable sort still retains plenty of class. All tracks seem to come alike to Getouttamyway, a sure sign of a good greyhound, and Mark Newberry’s star has won seven of his nine starts this year. Kevin Boon dropped Farneys Trend down in trip to contest December’s ARC National Sprint, and although he has seen little racing since the turn of the year, the big black has been ticking along nicely in Towcester trials. Clonleigh Socks represents the home contingent, and is no mug.
Sel: 1-4-3
Race 4 is the Premier Greyhound Racing Judgement Night Maiden. Saffrons Dash has broken the Suffolk Downs 388m track record on no less than two occasions for Mark Wallis, and is another tremendous advertisement for the champion trainer. Scooby Duchess contested both the Irish Greyhound Derby and Irish Laurels last year, and although unraced since arriving in the UK in November, her recent trial work has been encouraging. Droopys Pointer clocked a flying 28.13 at Shelbourne in October, and although yet to scale those heights in this country, looks a strong runner and a step up in trip might well be on the horizon. Faypoint Angry is similarly interesting, and his trial work behind some very useful types show him in a good light. Coppice Dylan and Long Raven look nice sorts too, and should progress sooner rather than later.
Sel: 3-4-2
With Mr Chelm now a non-runner following an altercation with a squirrel (the squirrel won). Race 5 is now a five dog affair. John Lambe’s Mystical Mario has won his last three at different tracks, and the heavyweight black could prove a sizeable obstacle for the opposition. Barley Panther has been absent since January, but Matt Dartnall has been nothing if not thorough in giving his charge three looks round, and his trial times bear the closest inspection. Bockos Palace ran up in Nottingham’s PGR Eclipse last year, and has backed that up with wins at Sheffield and Towcester this term. Lynnwood Assin is tough to beat on home soil, and clocked 28.32sec when trouncing a top grade field earlier this year. Lautaro may be in the twilight of his career, but still managed to clock 35.08 for Romford’s 575m trip in February, although a trap 6 draw looks tough.
Sel: 1-4-5
The Premier Greyhound Racing Judgement Night Dash brings together some flying machines, headed by Gougane Jet, who went unbeaten through the ARC Scurry Gold Cup here last autumn, eclipsing the fifteen year old track record in the final. Ivanexile was impressive in landing September’s M Lambe Construction Birmingham Cup, but a series of issues has seen Matt Dartnall’s star spend the winter on his bed. Hawkfield Mia has been tearing it up round Romford, but a trap 5 draw gives her plenty of work to do to clear those inside. Swift Iconic landed Oxford’s Gain Greyhound Nutrition Gold Cup in November, and bettered Perry Barr’s 480m sectional record in a preparatory spin last month. Trap 2 looks absolutely ideal. Impact George broke the Swindon sprint clock in December, and a brace of Towcester wins is in the bag for this year.
Sel: 3-2-6
Lightfoot Clark made the step up to six bends a successful one when landing a Newcastle maiden stayers last week, but may have a little more on his plate this evening. Westwell Diego won an open over course and distance last month, and seems to be improving. Silverspring Ria made every yard over shorter at Romford last week, and will hope to skip clear round the first two turns. Dark Treasure has always indicated a stiffer test could be right up his street, whilst Sixth Gear and Go Go Harriet are proven at this trip.
Sel: 3-1-5
The bitches take centre stage in race 8. Fabulous Azurra has indeed been a fabulous servant for connections, her many achievements last year including an Oaks Final at Perry Barr and a Winter Racing Festival success at Shelbourne Park. Dave Firmager’s blue returns from seasonal rest here, but may be straight enough to get the job done. Coppice Josie is no slouch, having broken the Oxford 450m clock on debut, but just two outings this year may have left Kevin Hutton’s bitch a tad rusty. Whats Up Eva boasts an impressive strike rate, although the draw in five may require a little good fortune if she is to play a hand in the finish. Pepinthestep has made a bright start to her career, with a seven length 28.11sec Monmore success indicating she is certainly going in the right direction.
Sel: 4-1-5
As far as supporting acts go, it doesn’t get a lot better than this in all honesty. Brookside Richie hasn’t been led by another greyhound, trials and races, since last December, and was imperious in landing last week’s ARC Northern Flat. Jimmy Fenwick’s black dipped below the 28.00sec barrier under trial conditions here last September in his first look at the track. Coolavanny Shado exited the same competition at the first round stage, but had famously broken the fifteen minute old 480m track record here back on Oaks Final night. Patrick Janssens’s star has been kept ticking over in recent weeks with an eye on the forthcoming ARC Laurels. Goldies Perryman was a finalist in last year’s Birmingham Cup, and looked on good terms with himself in last Saturday’s refresher. Oxford specialist Outdoor Ice has been given a winter’s break by Matt Dartnall, and it is not inconceivable that he could lead this field in the early stages.
Sel: 1-3-2
The Premier Greyhound Racing Judgement Night Stayers is next up at 8:52. Fifty Nine broke the Oxford 650m track record from trap 2 last month, and Matt Dartnall’s runner has won a third of his races for the Staines handler. Cochise reached the final of the PGR St Leger here last year for Richard Rees, and could well have the tools to cope with a trap 6 draw. Sleek By Design is an infrequent competitor over six bends, but could well be in the front rank early on here. Noelles Perfetto appears to possess plenty of stamina, and will be staying on when others have cried enough. Callmesteve is as tough as old boots, a bit like his trainer, and a 43.61sec Towcester win a couple of weeks back gives him a solid chance here.
Sel: 4-2-5
The Premier Greyhound Racing Judgement Night Standard brings the curtain down on tonight’s open racing, and with an equal distribution of seeds going to traps, we could be in for a cracker. Burnchurch Mick has been a terrific servant for Darryl Bear, and is yet another Birmingham Cup finalist to reappear on this card. Trap 1 is absolutely ideal. Hawkfield Ozark landed a recent Monmore Cat 3 in battling fashion, and has looked right at home in two trials. Signet Goofy has been there, done it and got the t-shirt, and is an absolute warrior at any track he turns up to. Newinn Touch lacks a bit of experience, but should be seen in a better light later in the year. Droopys Ambush has won his last five at home track Oxford, and will be staying on strongly on the outside. Forest Icon has just the sole success to his name since arriving on these shores, but has been keeping good company, and went well in a trial last week.
Sel: 3-1-5
