Perry Barr Racing Manager Martin Seal is once again offering his expert opinion on one of the track’s fabulous open race competitions. Tonight is the opening round of ‘the bitch’s classic’ – the English Oaks – sponsored to a tune of £20K to the winner by Premier Greyhound Racing.

On the last occasion that Martin made his selections – the Leger/Biurmingham Cup final card – he made 10 selections for five winners (5-6, 6-4, 5-4, 4-9, 7-4) and two seconds.

Chubbys Mai has made a bright start to her career, zipping through the grades at Monmore, and landed a Towcester maiden last time out. Jet Stream Angel is well related, being a half sister to the great Susie Sapphire, and has 28.60 Shelbourne form on her card from May. Droopys Request returns to action here following a couple of months on the easy list due to injury, but could have a say in the outcome if straight enough. Empress Stakes finalist Charming Girl is terrifically consistent, and a trap 4 berth is unlikely to prove an issue for this likeable sort. Beatties Diva dug deep to land a trial stake last week, and such determination will stand her in good stead here. Sel: 4-2-5

Antigua Bingo carries plenty of size for one of the fairer sex, but gained plenty of admirers on her first competitive outing at the track last week, indicating that a draw slightly off the fence might prove ideal. Deacon Blitz plies her trade in the middle grades at Swindon, and will likely have to improve on what she has accomplished so far. Queen Shakira is a member of an exciting litter, and was unlucky not to reach the final of the Produce Stakes. Chubbys Coco has just the one outing in this country to her name, and may be seen to better effect further down the line. Alien Tinder was unraced in Ireland, and has been campaigned exclusively over the sprint trip in her UK career to date. Sel: 3-1-4

Coppice Josie was eliminated at the second round stage of last year’s event after becoming distracted on the run in, and her early boot makes her a formidable opponent at whichever track she rocks up. Queen Georgia has been brought along steadily, gaining experience at a variety of circuits, and there was a lot to like about last week’s trial effort. Whitings New Era has certainly been around the block, and this adaptable sort is expected to produce another solid display. Cashbale Lulu started her career in A4 grade at Newcastle, and has improved steadily to reach this point. No Rush has reached the final of the BGBF British Breeders Stakes, Brighton Belle, British Bred Champion Stakes, Sussex Cup and the British Bred Oaks in 2023, and is an absolute credit to connections. Sel: 1-6-2

Whats Up Eva has reacquainted herself with the Perry Barr circuit in no uncertain terms in recent weeks, and Richard Rees continues to get a fantastic tune from his star bitch. Droopys Mandolin won her first six starts at Shelbourne for Kildare based Robert Gleeson, and it took a mighty effort from Juvenile Derby hero and kennelmate Droopys Flytline to lower her colours last month. Drombeg Magic has compiled a terrific record at home track Nottingham, and is capable of a fast start from trap 3. Cooladerry Habs remains a maiden but reached the semi-finals of the PGR St Leger here last month. Home Bronagh flies the Perry Barr flag for Connor Smith, and could enjoy plenty of racing room on the outside. Sel: 1-2-6

Baywatch Bullet has had just the one competitive start in this country, but reached the final of a Newbridge unraced stake back in the spring, where a certain Crafty Shivoo finished one place behind. Kennelmate Selsey Bullet has proven pretty useful at home track Hove, and is now 14 weeks out of season. Queen Joni was simply electric in Swindon’s Produce Stakes, obliterating the track record in the semi-finals, and seems likely to take high rank in this year’s Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks. Snooty Rose is better known for her exploits over further, and may struggle to keep tabs on the leaders. Ballyhimikin Mel was impressive in two starts over the Perry Barr 660m trip back in June, but has not reached the same heights since returning from a mid summer break. Sel: 3-2-6

Laughil Jess has become a standing dish over the Crayford 540m trip, and could surprise a few people if taking to the Perry Barr circuit. A track record equaling Central Park success in June underlines that David Lee’s star is no one trick pony. Amazing Sasha has been campaigned over shorter trips in general, and another fast start may be required here. Ballymac Astra has visited the Towcester winner’s enclosure on two occasions since arriving in the UK, and further progress would come as no surprise whatsoever. Empress Stakes finalist Beatties Sparkle has done well for connections, and is certainly not going to be lacking in the stamina department. Leighas Dream clocked 28.19 and 28.29 (twice) here back in the summer, but has not been seen in action since then, and her fitness has to be taken on trust. Sel: 3-1-4

Move It Molly competes over both four and six bend trips at home track Monmore, and the draw in red has worked out well. Betsys Bullet has kept good company throughout her career, reaching the final of Monmore’s Winter Derby this term, and has been brought back steadily following an August fall. Coonough Crow enjoyed no fortune in the final of the PGR St Leger here, but has plenty of class, and could easily reach the latter stages of the bitches classic. Freedom Vesta has just rattled off a Nottingham four timer, and arrives at the peak of her powers. Arthur Chicken has gained plenty of experience around the country, but might need to step up to feature in the finish. Sel: 3-2-4

Greenhill Evie wins her share at her home circuit, and will likely have to battle hard to hold her line around the opening two turns. Havana Bale Out reached the semi-finals of last month’s Birmingham Cup, and was a touch unlucky not to make the decider. Droopys Fidget was in flying form at Monmore earlier in the year (27.95), but things have not gone to plan since, and it will be a question of attaining full fitness over the next couple of weeks. Crossfield Maxi has been coming along nicely of late, is in good hands, and could be one of whom we have yet to see the best. Rapido Lady is another for the multiple champion trainer, and will surely benefit for last week’s trial stake sighter. Killarney Road gained a confidence boost in graded company late last month, and the winning time was not to be sniffed at. Sel: 2-3-4

Coppice Zaya represents top connections, and there was a lot to like about last week’s preparatory trial. Cashen Eliza has picked up valuable experience around the country, and was only touched off by the minimum margin by a certain Droopys Clue in a Hove puppy contest back in June. Rosshill Dana represents John Lambe, and has struck form at exactly the right time when making every yard in a personal best time just a few days ago. Kilara Coco is yet another Empress Stakes finalist to take her chance here, and Nathan Hunt’s bitch looks the type to keep qualifying. Keane hasn’t seen much action of late, for a number of reasons, and arrives 15 weeks out of season. Sel: 3-4-2

Arthur Cucumber has just the three successes to her name, but has bits and pieces of decent form on her CV, and has a chance of qualifying here. Starshinestunner’s career has been confined to Hove so far, but Richard Rees has shrewdly given her a couple of looks in advance of this, and she looks an exciting prospect. Droopys Ailsa represents Paul Allen and Robert Gleeson, and 28.33 around Shelbourne tells you everything you need to know about this full sister to Bubbly Apache. Swift Paloma has made a steady start to her career, and looks likely to stay further in due course. Bogger Lilly has been knocking on the door in graded company of late, and will hope for a quick start. Sel: 3-2-4

Crossfield Marta has been competing in Monmore’s middle grades, but was a good winner last time out, and the draw has worked out well. Kennelmate Aero Claire makes her UK debut here, and collected four wins in the north of Ireland earlier in the year. Kilbarry Meadows has won her last two at Nottingham, and clocked 28.26 here back in June. Kennelmate Bellmore Lola was victorious on that occasion, and could be difficult to keep out of the places. Newinn Touch has been keeping top company of late, and could go a long way in this year’s competition. Sel: 4-5-3

Dapper Lana has made rapid strides at Romford, and the best is almost certainly yet to come. Lakeside Lady bounced back to form in no uncertain terms last time out, but has a bit more on her plate here. Arthur Pumpkin typically plies her trade at Henlow, and would appear to have work to do. Autumn Alice pops up from time to time, and could feature early on. Allowdale Cazoo is the third of Nathan Hunt’s representatives in this concluding heat, and this 28.87 Tralee debut scorer created a good impression under trial conditions last week. Sel: 5-1-4