By Mark Pierrepont
Anneliese Thompson’s kennel is in a rich vein of form at the moment and hopefully that can continue in the A2 at 6.47pm at Nottingham this evening. Knockdrinna Edel has improved out of all recognition over the past month , finding much more consistency at the traps and also producing personal best runs in each of her last 3 outings. Having recorded 30.60 calculated when winning last time out , it must have been a borderline decision to leave her in the same grade and Edel can take full advantage. Flanked by slow starters, a level break should be all Edel needs to hit the front early. If doing so a reproduction of her time from last week should be all that’s required to once again emerge victorious for Nottingham’s leading lady trainer.
It’s the Greyhound Media Group 680m Open at 7.19pm. I’m loathe to oppose the Pat Rosney trained Looking Sharp but there is only so many times you can return from the well empty handed before calling it a day. Sharp is a bitch full of ability but seems to find her own share of trouble when winning looks the easier option. Likely to be a short priced favourite I’m happy to let her make the market for another Anneliese Thompson runner in the shape of Haggswood River (TREBLE). Flying the lids last week River never looked in danger when running out a 2 3/4 length winner from the strong running Nanny Cakes. Drawn to perfection in trap 1 she can ping the lids again and make every post a winning one.
If ever a greyhound and a track were made for each other it is Newlawn Adam (NAP) and Nottingham. Adam absolutely loves it at Nottingham , already a winner of 11 open races at the track the Phil Simmonds trained runner can make it win number 12 in the Follow Us On Twitter @nottingham_dogs Sprint Trophy at 922pm.
It’s the Greyhound Media Group Maiden Trophy at 9.40pm and I’m siding with the Barry O’Sullivan trained Aulton Chifter (NEXT BEST) running from trap 1. Chifter made a winning UK debut at Central Park on Friday and his shrewd handler looks to have played a blinder in his preparation of the dog. Having recorded 28.51 when running out a 4 3/4 length winner of his final start on Irish soil in a Dundalk A2 , his UK preparation consisted of two sprint trials over the 265m sprint trip at the Sittingbourne venue. Noted as a strong runner on his Irish appearances the step up in trip for his UK racing debut looked sure to suit and the dog was heavily supported throughout Friday from as high as 8/1 into a starting price of 7/2 before running out a ready and pulling away winner. Though he lacks a trial around the Colwick Park venue he’ll never get another chance in maiden company and he can pull off a quick fire double and repay his handlers meticulous race planning in the process.
* Given our tipster’s recent indifferent form – I am thinking of concentrating his mind by inviting a challenger to take him on – throughout the month of August. Anybody fancy giving it a go, and that includes his Guvnor, who has been giving him plenty of stick – can contract me at [email protected] -Ed
