Don’t read any more of this review until you have slid down the page to watch heat three of the Betfred Eclipse. . .

 

So – there could only be one talking point, a brilliant night for Carol Weatherall when three ‘Calico’ litter brothers all won their heats of the 500m Betfred Eclipse at Nottingham.

Heat 1 First up was 10-1 shot Calico Brandy (Holdem Spy-Wont Fall Behind, Aug 15) who ran from trap one. The other principles were Droopys Buick (T2 1-1f) and Bruisers Bullet (T4 6-4).

The winner’s time was 29.53, and the distances, a length & a length and three quarters . . .

Heat 2 A frustrating year for Bubbly Bluebird (Droopys Sydney-Broadstrand Xola, Sep 14) with one nine UK races, took an upswing as the even money favourite return to winning form from trap one. He would be followed home by the ’16 runner-up Tynwald Baz (T2 5-1) and Knockard Spring (T4 6-1)

The winner’s time was 29.48, and the distances, a length &  two and a quarter . . .

Heat 3 produced the performance of the night from Calico Ranger (T6 4-1). In a race that featured Greyhound of the Year contender Droopys Expert (T3 2-5f) and Dropzone (T5 6-1), the race is worth another look

The winner’s time was 29.61, and the distances, a head & one length  . . .

Heat 4 East Anglian Derby winner Newinn Shadow (Kinloch Brae-Newinn Expert, Dec 14) first came to serious attention at Nottingham as a pup. But this was a race about grit and determination. The Charlie Lister trained runner started as the 2-1f from trap six. He would be followed home by Cappoquin Jack (T3 4-1) and Boomtown Actor (T5 5-2).

The winner’s time was 29.70, and the distances, half a length & a length and a quarter . . .

Heat 5 The third leg of the Calico treble was the most expected as Calico Blackjack (T6 4-6f) completed a UK six-timer from Barricane Tiger (T4 9-2) and Heroic Miss (T1 6-1)

The winner’s time was 29.60, and the distances, two and a half and one and a quarter . . .

Heat 6 was expected to by dominated by Dorotas Wildcat (T3 4-6f). But he would be unable to run down the front running 10-1 shot Piemans Bullet (Romeo Recruit-Allowdale Nokia, Mar 15) who led from trap two.

The winner’s time was 29.64, and the distances, a neck & one and three quarters . . .

All footage courtesy GreyhoundsNow