It’s Friday 13th and that could mean being unlucky for some. For those that are not superstitious there is as usual a great open card on at Romford tonight. On the card there is a maiden competition starting that has attracted several newcomers. As it is Friday 13th I have endeavoured to find out more about three greyhounds to help level out any bad luck and help turn the day into a potentially winning one.

Laughil Flash for local handler Michelle Brown is not only making his Romford debut but his race one as well on these shores. The son of Droopys Jet and Laughil Irene goes in heat one of the Romford Friday Night 500 maidens over 400 metres at 6.58pm. Although making his race debut over here the May ’20 whelp does have winning form at Shelbourne Park and Dundalk with three wins all over 480 & 366 metres in A3 and S4 graded affairs. After three trials at Romford all over C&D he goes straight into open action looking to shed his maiden tag at the first time of asking. His solo calculated time of 24.54 shows he is heading in the right direction and will be expected to improve on that.
Michelle on him said: “He was bought as a Romford dog. He was running at Shelbourne Park but doesn’t quite stay the distance. He has early and why he come to Romford.
“In his first trial he was completely lost. After that we thought we would give him a solo trial and he did a lot better. In his third trial he found trouble with our other dog.
“Maidens at Romford at the moment look winnable so thought we would try our luck. We have not seen what he can do yet. He has meant to have bundles of early and hopefully comes forward and shows us what he can do.
“He has trap two and that seems an okay draw for him.”
On her other runners Michelle said: “Our best chance is probably One For Gold. He won last week and can hopefully do it again. He is a strong sort and has his draw in trap six. He has a good make up in the race.”
Corals are top price 6/1 for Laughil Flash to win first time up on these shores. One For Gold is 3/1 with Corals to make it two from two in the 9.28pm over 400 metres.

Miss Dior is not only making her six bend debut tonight but her race one for Romford trainer Nathan Hunt. Formerly in the care of Central Park’s Paul Donovan the April ’20 whelp has been put straight into action over 575 metres in heat two of the Romford Friday night 500 stayers at 8.17pm. Over four bends the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Ruby Valley won three times at Central Park and Hove over 480 and 515 metres. At Hove she won twice including the Brighton Belle consolation where she got up on the line to take the victory. The fact that she gets the 515 metres distance at Hove bodes well before going over 575 metres for the first time. In a recent trial over C&D she clocked a good calculated time of 35.68.
Nathan on her said: “It is her first race at Romford and for us. We have had her three weeks and gave her time to settle in. We have given her a couple of trials and she trialled in really well over 575 metres. We are hoping that she improves on that.
“We were hoping for a maiden stayers race but there wasn’t one so thought we would put her in a standard race. She is good enough if she takes her chance. The Coronation Cup starts in a couple of weeks and that is the plan for her.
“She did some really strong runs at Hove and will definitely get the trip. She was still going strong to the pick-up after her 575 metres trial.
“If she gets in front she could do a big run. She has trap five and is that alright for her. We fancy her to lead trap six [Lisnakill Laurie] and has a good draw on the outside.”
On his other runners Nathan said: “Bang On Harry in the maiden comp has chances. It is not the strongest maiden and he has his trap and hopefully he can break. He should get better from the boxes and in time could be a good two bend dog. He is Britisg Bred and will aim for the British Bred competitions.”
Corals and Ladbrokes are both 5/2 for Miss Dior to turn her winning four bend form into winning six bend form. Bang On Harry is top price 7/2 with Corals to win heat two of the Romford Friday night 500 maidens over 400 metres at 7.18pm.

Former Romford trainer Jim Reynolds knows what it takes to win over extended trips at the Essex circuit and tonight tries his charge Rach It Up over 750 metres for the first time in the ‘lucky last’ at 9.42pm. The March ’19 whelp has showed her staying potential with two wins at Central Park over 642 metres.

While in the care of Central Park trainer Spencer Mavrias the daughter of Ballymac Eske and Mongys Rach won four times in handicaps over 480 metres. Three of those wins were from scratch so she is experienced in weaving her way through races. In her one and only race over eight bends at Crayford over 714 metres she finished fourth after trouble early and late on. In a trial over 575 metres last November she clocked a calculated time of 35.72.
Jim on her said: “It will be her longest distance. She was off for a spell and we gave her a few short distances races which she handled very well. We ran her at Central Park over 642 metres and she stayed it well.
“750 metres will be her optimum distance. 750 metres will be as far as she wants. She should get it off the front but not much further. She has sprint graded form when at Central Park before she came to us. Hopefully she has her trapping boots on and leads.
“We have been working on her fitness for it and she handles the track well. She has trap four and that suits her down to the ground. She is a genuine middle runner.”
Ladbrokes are offering 9/4 for her to win over her furthest distance to date at the first time asking.