After a two-week hiatus your favourite read is back. Starting from 6.09pm tonight, Romford have put on twelve open races for our enjoyment to kick start the weekend. As ever there are several greyhounds making their Romford debuts and stepping up in trip, and in some cases both. Yours truly as always has endeavoured to find out more about four of them.
English Derby winning trainer Patrick Janssens knows what it takes to win at Romford and tonight gives his charge Droopys Battery his Romford race debut. In the opening race at 6.09pm the September ’19 whelp will be looking to shed his maidens tag at the first time of asking. The son of Romeo Recruit and Droopys Harbour has had three races on these shores all at Towcester over 500 metres, winning one in A5 graded company. Last month he had one trial over C&D clocking a calculated time of 24.95. In that trial he found a lot of trouble at the first bend and if went around again would be expected to better that time with ease.
Patrick on him said: “It didn’t go all his way in his trial. He will improve on that time for sure. First time in a race he is capable of around 24.20 / 24.10.
“He has bundles of early but doesn’t get 500 metres. He is a nice dog and will see how he takes to Romford. The distance should be perfect for him. We plan to keep him at Romford to see how good he is and hope he comes forward.
“His sectionals at Towcester are very good and if he can break level he has a good chance.”
William Hills are 4/1 for him to win at Romford at the first time of asking.
Bizarrely, Chelms Prince trained by local handler Nathan Hunt is making his Romford and six bend debut after six races elsewhere. The May ’19 whelp tackles Romford and six bends for the first time in a maiden stayers race over 575 metres at 6.43pm. The son of Ballymac Matt and Follys View has had five races at Towcester and one at Hove all at open race level over 500 and 515 metres where he has failed to get on the scoresheet. At Romford and over six bends that could all change tonight. At Towcester he reached the third round of the English Derby before being eliminated. At Hove he went for the Sussex Cup but was knocked out after finding trouble during the run up and at the first bend.
Nathan on him Said: “It’s a pretty big drop-in class to what he has been running against. He was in the Derby then went in the Plate and then to Hove for the Sussex Cup.
“He has never been around Romford before. He came from Towcester sales so took him back to Towcester. We expect him to stay pretty well. He has been running on strong. He ran on well to the pick-up at Towcester which is a stiff 500 metres trip. The Summers Stayers at Monmore is an option but he needs to prove himself at Romford first.
“He has had some pretty good dogs behind him like Droopys Addition. He in good form and if getting loose can show what he can do.
“Trap five is fine for him but the key to the race is him clearing trap four. If he get around the four dog he has a good chance.”
Corals are top price 5/4 for Chelms Prince to win over six bends at the very first attempt.
The incredibly experienced Norah McEllistrim has two of her charges making their Romford debuts and both will receive the ‘round-up’ treatment.
First up is Ayle Blake in heat three of the Romford Friday Night Standard competition over 400 metres at 7.36pm. The son of Laughill Blake and Knocksouna Lady has won five times from fourteen starts on these shores with four of those wins coming at Central Park over 480 metres. The June ’19 whelp is all about the early pace and the drop down to 400 metres could prove very beneficial for him.
Norah on him said: “He’s my best dog racing at the moment. I have high hopes for him. He has won four opens Central Park.
“He should run there well. He is quite versatile. He has the early pace and should handle it well. He has a lot of pace between the second to third bend. That’s where he does his running. He can break well and will be running on well for 400 metres. The distance should suit him.
“We are hoping he is around third at the second bend and first at the third bend. That is his strength and the distance should be ideal for him.
“He is a middle runner and trap four should be okay for him.”
Skybet and Paddy Power are offering 8/1 for the pacey sort to win at Romford first time up.
Next up to make their Romford debut is Crohane Bertie in heat one of the Doug Tyler Summer Cup at 9.12pm over 575 metres. The June ’18 whelp is not only making his Romford debut but his six bend one as well. The son of Head Bound and Laughil Iris has had most of his thirty nine races on these shores at home track Hove. Five of his six wins have been at the Sussex track in A2 and A1 graded affairs. Away from Hove he has won one race at Central Park over 480 metres showing he can do it elsewhere. On paper it looks like he does need further and 575 metres could be ideal for him.
Norah on him said: “He runs on very well at Hove. He gets the 500 metres well at Hove and should get the 575 metres at Romford. I think he will get the trip; I’ll be disappointed if he didn’t get it.
“He is a genuine wide runner and whatever time he does he should improve on that next time. Even if he did win which we hope he does we would still expect to improve his time next week.
“Trap six is his box and will be easier for him first time up at Romford from that box.”
Several firms are offering 16/1 for the experienced Hove raider to take the spoils tonight.
