BetGoodwin Pall Mall – Runner-by-runner

Oxford rolls out the red carpet for one of the most famous competitions in greyhound racing with the 2024 BetGoodwin Pall Mall.

The famous race, with a new sponsor this year, was first run at London’s Harringay Stadium in 1935 and has a long and distinguished history and is very much part of the furniture at the Cowley track, which took over the running of the 450m annual in 1988.

Traditionally its biggest night’s racing of the year, the Pall Mall – and Oxford itself – looked lost when the track closed in 2012 but thanks to the efforts of promoter Kevin Boothby it reopened in 2022 and the return of the Pall Mall was very much at the top of Boothby’s plans.

The brilliant Links Maverick struck gold in the revived Pall Mall last year, but who wins this year?

1 AERO SACUNDAI

(Ballymac Cashout – Beaming Smasher, Feb 22) – Richie Taberner – Messrs Ansley, Forsdike, Taberner & Woolgar

The ante post favourite for this competition, he suffered a reverse in the opening round. He quickly put that to bed in his semi-final, clocking 26.60. He only had half a length in hand over the strong-running Droopys Hanover, his early pace won him the race. Set new figures for the Towcester spring on Derby Final night, he will be looking to slip clear early on.

2 LONG FELLOW

(Droopys Sydney – Away Shelly, Jan 22) – Matt Dartnell – Horse And Hound Six Syndicate

No match for Aero Sacundai in a trial stakes for this competition. Was drawn inside on that occasion and is not sure to be suited to being outside here. Produced a solid run in the semi-final, making some room for himself on the inside before kicking away down the back. Winner of the Cowley Puppy Collar here back in October, and he loves this venue.

3 DROOPYS HANOVER

(Droopys Jet – Droopys Pickles, Feb 22) – Kevin Hutton – Mr M Gilbert

Has been involved in arguably the two most exciting races of this competition so far. Short headed by Keefill Maverick in round one and then only failing by half a length to claw back Aero Sacundai in the semis. He is not short of early pace but a vacant trap inside him in two in his semi-final was a big help. He was able to track around the leader without any issue, he might find it harder to get such a clear run here.

4 WRIGHTY

(Out Of Range – Swift Acoustic, Aug 21) – John Mullins – Messers Wright

The only unbeaten finalist, despite only being in front about 20-30m in the entire competition! A slower break might actually suit him better than coming away on this occasion, able to tuck in behind the speed rather than trying to go around it. He produced a 3.94 sectional in his opening round when in this black jacket but only a 4.04 when running down Madabout Peck in the semis.

5 EZE

(Pestana – Ballymac Tam, Jul 21) – Angie Kibble – Mr J Miles

A superb performance, making the Pall Mall Final for the second consecutive year. He is the oldest of the six finalists, with his recent runs suggesting that he lacks the zip to the bend to make an early impact. Will be producing some solid work late on but probably requires trouble up front to better last year’s runner-up run.

6 MADABOUT PECK

(King Elvis – Millroad Susie, Jul 22) – Tom Heilbron – Messers Davies & Horrigan

Finds 450m stretches his stamina but he has consistency from the lids which can see him prominent early. That will be more prevalent given that Eze inside him is the slowest starter in the field. With Wrighty moving slightly left and the main pace battle on the rails, this big outsider could just give them all a scare to at least the third bend, if not further.

Conclusion

A fascinating decider for the 2024 BetGoodwin Pall Mall. Aero Sacundai is the most likely winner but he has to get things right at the start. Any sort of mistimed break with the pace outside him is going to give him problems. At odds on, he is short enough to look for a spot of value elsewhere.

That comes in the shape of Madabout Peck. He finds 450m far enough for him, just run down by Wrighty in his semi-final. He is without a question the best-drawn dog in the final though. That counts for a lot and his early pace might just stretch them early on and any trouble in behind is going to be to his benefit. At about 16/1, he is worth taking a chance on