The build-up to the Betfred Steel City Cup produced a shock or two at Tuesday night’s open meeting at Sheffield, not least the defeat of the probably ante-post favourite Ballymac Mossjoe.
Longs odds-on for his Trial Stake, the dog went up with the boxes and tried to force his way through at the first bend where he took a knock for his efforts and eventually finished third to Farran Sexton, who clocked 29.19 for the 500 metres.
However, trainer Barrie Draper allayed fears today when he gave the Sussex Cup winner a clean bill of health, saying: “It was one of those things at the traps and that’s greyhound racing, fortunately he seem fine this morning.”
Top performance from the hopefuls for the Category One competition came from Minglers Thunder, a winner in 28.86 and Jimmy Wright indicated that he would definitely be amongst the entries when they close at noon on Friday.
There is some doubt, however, surrounding kennelmate Maum Legend, beaten by the Kath Harris-trained Some Turbo (28.98) with the Newcastle trainer preparing to send the dog for a check-up for committing himself.
Making Paper, not seen in action since finishing fifth at in the Derby final at the end of June signalled his well-being with a 28.84.
