Paul Gebhard looks at the form for the three semi finals of the ARC Puppy Classic at Nottingham
DRAHBEG DANDY ran and finished well last week after getting pushed out wide at the first bend and then momentarily having his racing line taken (all told probably cost him two lengths?), his debut run saw him in Trap 1 but he’s not been in the red jacket since, no way of knowing if he will break well from there but if he does then I expect him to qualify for the final as he did come home stronger last week.
ARTHUR PUMPKIN lightly raced, ran very well last week, improvement to come for sure, especially if she traps.
MAGNA BLACKMORE its 1-1 between him and Drahbeg Dandy so far, this bitch has been in trap 1 in 8 of her 9 races so far, will trap 3 inconvenience her?
BELLMORE SALLY ran particularly well last Monday, came away smartly but then did lack a little bit of early foot (she looks a 6 bend star of the future to me), before powering home to win.
CLERIHAN AXLE certainly surprised me last week but possibly the cards fell his way in a messy race.
JUMEIRAH CAESAR a strong running type who just like last week seems to have a lovely draw again, may just give too much away early on to actually take a qualifying place.
Selections 1) Bellmore Sally 2) Drahbeg Dandy 3) Jumeirah Caesar
BAGGIOS TURBO, in the main this is a tightly matched race, at this stage of his career though this lad will probably struggle to book his ticket for the final.
SHARKY JEZABELLE finished 3rd (went off favourite) in what turned out to be a messy heat, I find it hard to decide was he unlucky to finish 3rd or actually fortunate to do so.
COOLAVANNY AUNTY produced a powerful all round performance last week and will be hard to keep out of the frame.
TEE CEES PUMA ran very well last week and being drawn in 4 tonight might not be a negative.
DOGHOUSE DAZZLER a repeat of last week’s performance would see him go close here.
UCANNOTBESERIOUS probably ran a little bit below par for him last time, but he did run off a bit at the first bend, a strong running type he could easily bounce back.
Selections 1) Coolavanny Aunty 2) Doghouse Dazzler 3) Ucannotbeserious
SWING BRIDGE ran and finished very well last week but finds himself in the hottest of the semi-finals, however, he could have a nice draw to work with tonight.
SKYWALKER STAN put up a very solid performance in his heat, being drawn that bit nearer to the rails might be no bad thing.
DONISHALL BRAE obviously no mug but looks to be very much in at the deep end in this good quality race.
TRUMPS BENEFIT put in a scintillating performance last week, as already stated I think he’s got a bit more early pace than he’s credited for, for me the one to beat tonight.
BUBBLY APACHE another exciting performance last week, however, I would imagine that connections wish that they could swap traps with Trumps Benefit. Can he clear all of the others at the first bend from this draw, if not can he come from behind to win or qualify?
RIDGEDALE BLAKE a nice pup for sure but things fell his way a little last week and this is a fair bit harder, does have a nice draw again.
Selections 1) Trumps Benefit 2) Swing Bridge 3) Bubbly Apache
