I was very pleased with the standard of last night’s racing. There were some top draw performances, with a sprinkling of drama thrown in for good measure, and finals night promises to be equally as exciting, if not more so.
Firstly, the main event, the ARC Laurels. The first semi-final went pretty much the way the market expected, with the Mark Wallis pair of Coolavanny Kyser and Ivy Hill Skyhigh putting on a tremendous buckle for us. Kyser was always just doing enough, but the determination of the runner up is palpable, and he is a very likeable hound. Both dogs are owned by the same three gentlemen, and they go into the final with two live chances. Pacemaker Ted ran well in third in the face of an uphill task.
The second semi-final appeared to revolve around who might lead up, and when Havana Class blasted out to a rapid 3.45 sectional, it was going to take a special effort to reel him in. Liz and Rab’s brindle has few peers in the early pace department over four bends, and it is a quality which will stand him in good stead going forward. Trouble in behind the leader left the rest of the field with work to do, and although Signet Ace emerged out of the pack, he had nothing left to give in the home straight. Sparta Master found himself in arrears from an early stage, but managed to take advantage when a gap appeared on the run to the line to grab second spot. Drumcrow Brent was particularly unlucky here, being stopped three times in his run.
With Westway Blake having been withdrawn earlier in the day, the third semi-final appeared a formality for hotpot Roxholme Sheikh, but Hayley Keightley’s star tracker lost his back legs leaving the traps, and suddenly it was game on. Lee Field’s Adeles Duke showed good early to lead up Magical Arrow, and with Savana Cody and Candy Man lying pretty handy, it was anyone’s race down the back straight. Roxholme Sheikh was on the heels of the leaders by this stage, but with traffic in front of him, he was obliged to wait for a gap to appear, and it never came, the favourite tangling with an unlucky Savana Cody on the run in. Candy Man meanwhile launched his challenge off the last turn, and caught the leader in the dying strides, with Magical Arrow a close up third. The winner is a full brother to 2018 St Leger hero Calico Ranger, and clearly they share a few similarities. Could lightning possibly strike twice?
Looking at the draw for the final, all six finalists have valid claims in what appears a genuinely open contest. Havana Class is a pretty tight railer, and could possibly crowd early on with Ivy Hill Skyhigh, for whom all boxes seem to come alike. Coolavanny Kyser has a nice pitch it has to be said, whilst Adeles Duke may have to work hard to clear Sparta Master by the bend. Candy Man should enjoy plenty of daylight out wide, and will be flying late.
The ARC Laurels is supported by two Category 3 competitions, with Barrie Draper steering Glory Millie and Ballyboss Con through to the final of the bitches’ event. The former appeared to be struggling down the back in her heat, but her class saw her home in third behind John Lambe’s Dolla Wisecrack. Lights Out grabbed the other qualifying place late on. Queen Dolly was back to something close to her best in the second heat, taking up the lead early on and sauntering home in front. Pantone Whisper battled well to take the runner up spot for Dave Mullins. Queen Dolly and Dolla Wisecrack appear best drawn in the final, and it could be a good tussle between the pair.
Ben Reynolds stole the training honours in the Watch Live Greyhound Racing On Sky Sports Racing Dash with all three of his entrants reaching the decider, and the Bury based handler holds a strong hand in the final. His Matts Malibu clocked the fastest time of the night in heat 3, chased home by Ardera Nidge, where Shrewd Call missed the break and was struggling thereafter. Kennelmate Swift Guard soon had the second heat under control, with Dream On Lass claiming second for Gerry Ballentine. King Sam was easy to back in the market here, and found his path blocked at the first bend after fluffing his lines at the start. Carl Perry’s diminutive Geelo Gold Dust had earlier grabbed the race by the scruff of the neck in heat 1, with sprightly veteran Cronody Zero bringing up the Reynolds trio of finalists.
Looking at the draw for the final, Matts Malibu and Geelo Gold Dust will have to work hard to get to the front from the outside boxes, whilst Swift Guard appears to have a decent pitch if coming away on terms. And don’t rule out Cronody Zero either, class is absolutely permanent.
