Joe’s Nottingham Tips

***9.11 Nottingham – Proper Heiress 6/4 (3pts)
**8.01 Nottingham – Fords Gamble 4/1 (2pts)
*7.44 Nottingham – Kevins Rocket 2/1 (1pt)

The start of the Premier Greyhound Racing Eclipse is just one week away. Tonight we see three trial stakes for the competition with plenty of top class stars on show looking to head into the competition in fine form.

The first trial stakes at 7.44pm is a wide open affair where Kevins Rocket in trap three can lead and make all. There are some strong runners in this race including Gun Slinger in trap four and Plaza Fury in trap one. If Kevins Rocket can trap well to clear the inside pair, there could be a bit of crowding between the rest of the field where Kevins Rocket can get loose and hold on.

The second trial stake at 8.36pm is a belter with the defending champion Newinn Syd back at the Cowlick Park venue. He’s having a look at trying to defend his crown when the competition gets underway next Monday. He lines up from trap one, is drawn to go well but is not as well drawn as Noirs News in trap six who I am going to be with just over Newinn Syd. Antigua Kestrel in trap five will dive left so as long as Noirs News traps on terms, he should be the only runner guaranteed a clear run. If Newinn Syd pops out and leads early it will be race over but I am willing to take a chance on Noirs News.

The third and final trial stakes at 9.11pm sees the nap of the evening Proper Heiress line up from trap three who could be a major player in this year’s Eclipse. A phenomenal first look of 29.77 in a solo trial last week sees him heading into this evening’s race where a clear run should see him win. Missile One on his outside in trap four is a big danger if getting a clear run, however, they have been hard to come by in recent races so being drawn outside Proper Heiress could be a hazard for Missile One.

There are three other open races on the card including a Sprint over 305m at 7.27pm where trap three Oakfield Murty looks an interesting runner who can get the better of the well fancied Kylenoe Bilbo who is far from ideally drawn in trap six.

My next best for the evening is trap two Fords Gamble in the 480m Maiden at 8.01pm. He is the only runner in the field to have been to Nottingham in the past where he ran a credible race when third to Scatter Milo in a sprint race last week. He needs to avoid Chippy Chase on his inside by either allowing Chippy Chase to lead him into the bend or by out trapping him to get first run and with a recent look under his belt, Fords Gamble can use that to his advantage to take this maiden.

The 8.54pm open race is a staying event over 680m where Droopys Flotilla in trap one can follow up last week’s facile success by landing the spoils again with a dominant trap to line success. This is a tougher assignment then she faced last time out with trap three Fabulous Tempo a big player if gaining a clear run. Hurry Up Jordan, a recent St Leger finalist, ran too bad to be true on his last visit to Nottingham on October 7 but a return to his best would see him go close so she needs to do things right Droopys Flotilla but a good break from the inside and see her win.

Harper hurdles to a flying 23.22 success

Five trainers with a brace of winners on Sunday night.

Just a week away from the start of the Grand National and Signet Harper has put herself front and centre. The Crayford 380m track record over obstacles stands at 23.10, Lenson Doolin setting the clock in the 2023 Champion Hurdle final. It was a career best by quite some margin for the Ricky Holloway-trained bitch. Holloway won the other hurdle on the card with Harlequin Ernie.

Wrighty and Too Wright made it a good night for the John Mullins team. The former won a Gold Collar trial stake in 33.57. Swift Delta and Princess Athena won for Tony Collett over 714m and 540m respectively. Tony Welch produced a successful raid with Bellicus Brandy and Savana Moo.

It wouldn’t feel like a Sunday night at Crayford without a winner or two for Dave Lee who was the final trainer to land a double. Two Sovereigns and Ministing got the job done for the handler.

Jim Reynolds got on the scoresheet courtesy of Noduff Grand in the opening contest. Julie Luckhurst won with Beebee Bianco at 14/1, the biggest priced winner on the evening.

There were also some excellent trials prior to racing with things hotting up ahead of next Sunday.

100 open winners up for Maxine Locke

A maiden century for the Essex handler came courtesy of a Towcester double.

Ballymac Kobe brought up Maxine Locke’s 100th open-race winner for 2024 when winning impressively at Towcester on Sunday.

The first time the Romford trainer has reached the century, Locke is delighted to have breached the 100-winning barrier and thanked all at her Bonville Kennels in Essex.

“It’s a massive team effort and thanks to everyone – Jo, Megan, Cherry, Parise and Finlay – and to young James who’s also been helping out.

“You need a top team behind you and Gavin O’Mahoney has been brilliant. We had a chat a year or so back and talked about buying in some talent and having a real go!

“Gavin has let me get on with things but is so important to the kennel and it’s great to also win races – big ones, too – for Gavin, Jack Russell and Rob Howe. Thanks also to my biggest supporters – mum and dad!

“Winning the Kent Derby with Droopys Display has been the high point of the year – especially listening to the race at the airport – the holiday started well, I can tell you!

“We’ve had a good run but the work is never over as everyone in greyhound racing knows, but we’re enjoying it and it’s great to have the dogs for these big races.

“Ballymac Kobe is a really nice young dog. That was a good race on Sunday and he won it well, so we’ll certainly let him have his chance in the Puppy Derby back at Towcester.”

Other Towcester winners

There were nine other opens on the card yesterday afternoon.

Esther Driver and Mark Wallis also doubled up on the card. Slippy Thriller and Hopes Ompaloompa both scored over 500m for Driver, taking out a pair of standard events. Wallis scored with Racketball Brute and Shannas Cove in a Puppy Derby trial stake and a maiden contest respectively.

Tommy’s Lotto continued his smart run of form over 712m for Carol Grasso, winning for the fourth time in his last five starts over the trip. Barry Johnson made the long trip up from his Devon base worthwhile with Chelms Wild running riot in the fastest time of the day, a 29.07.

Phil Milner won with Keefill Rocky in 29.11 and John Mullins scored with You Two in 29.15 as the second half of the card saw some smart times recorded. Good Maverick was the other winner on the card, winning a maiden for Kim Billingham-Hine.

Wales wins in Yorkshire again

Lucky 13 for Farneys Willie on Sunday.

It was a 13th open race win of 2024 for Richard Wales’s Farneys Willie. Eight of those have come at Owlerton but he was made to work hard in the 660m contest by Pear Drops who closed the winning margin to half a length.

Crafty Pardiso pinged out for Colin Wilton to land the 500m bitches contest. Sent off at 5/1, the fourth choice in the betting of the five runners, she moved in on the run-up and never looked like being beaten. Tullymurry Al caused a 12/1 shock in the sprint for Trevor Coote while Lisa Stephenson was on target with Pattys Scoot in the maiden.

Jacqueline Condon RIP

Brendan Matthews’ daughter has passed away.

Talking dogs have reported the passing of Jacqueline Condon. From one of the most famous greyhound racing families in Ireland, Condon was born into the sport. Our thoughts and condolences with family and friends.

Stats

  • Gatchells Sky – 3.19 Monmore – 5/10 from trap five in A5.
  • Winterfield Lad – 3.38 Monmore – 5/10 in A7 from trap five.
  • Savana Spiderman – 5.29 Oxford – 5/6 when clad in blue.
  • Blackhill Jack – 7.13 Enniscorthy – 7/10 so far at the track.
  • Swift Depot – 8.31 Yarmouth – 6/10 from trap five.
  • Newinn Syd – 8.36 Nottingham – 5/9 at the track.

Opens

Friday: Romford ♦ Sunderland