The semi-finals of the English Greyhound Derby may be tomorrow but with Romford putting on twelve open races tonight there is plenty to enjoy between now and then. With three category three finals concluding, get the barbeques finished early to enjoy the show from 6.09pm. As ever there are several interesting entries and yours truly has endeavoured to find out more about two of them.

Shady Belle for trainer John Simpson makes her six bend debut in a maiden stayers race at 9.12pm. The May ’19 whelp attempts 575 metres for the first time after six races over 400 metres. Over that distance the daughter of Jaytee Jet and Shady Pam won once in A7 company. In Ireland she had twenty five races at Mullingar over 480 metres winning six times between A8 to A3 graded affairs. Longer trips could be where her future lies.
John on her said: “She will definitely stay, 100%. I bought her from breeder Ian Riley and he said she would as well. She stays in her demeanour. We were always going to step her up when the time was right. We waited to give her more time and experience.
“She has a nice bit of early and can run. She did a really fast time a few races back. In her open race last week, she ran really well. After the line she gave the four dog [Milton Estrella] who is good a running lesson to the drop.
“She can easily come away and if she went round in front the race will be all to play for. She has trap one and that is perfect for her in my opinion.”
Ladbrokes and Corals are offering 4/1 for her to win over six bends at the first time of asking.

Jennifer Anne for local handler Michelle Brown after one race over 575 metres back in January is having another stint at it. In heat one of the Romford Friday Night stayers at 9.28pm, the May ’20 whelp will be looking to improve on that previous attempt. In that race the daughter of Laughil Blake and Slippy Maska came sixth. Since then, she has won over 400 metres at home track Romford in A5 and A4 graded company and over 540 metres at open level at Crayford. She has early and will need to utilise that in her heat.
Michelle on her said: “She is in a hard race and needs to take a flyer. She needs a bit of luck in running. We have Lightfoot Styles in the same race and with a clear run he would beat her most times. She definitely has a ping in her and needs to.
“She won’t want any further but is strong enough. She was strong at Towcester over 500 metres but ran too wide there. Romford keeps her in. She has her trap in six.
“She has only just turned two and is coming forward with every run.”
On her other runners, Michelle said: “Pro Zac in the winner of one stakes needs the run after returning from injury but has his trap. He has fantastic early to get in front and hopefully stays there.”
Corals and Ladbrokes are 12/1 for her to win over 575 metres at Romford at the second attempt. Corals are 4/1 for Pro Zac to win his race at 6.58pm over 400 metres.

Regular readers of this column may have had a nice double last week courtesy of Storys Peewee and Nolas Whiskey. Storys Peewee justified his SP return of 8/15 to win over six bends at the first time of asking. Those early birds may have snaffled up the 11/10 in the morning being offered by Ladbrokes. Nolas Whiskey also justified the faith put in her to win over six bends at the first attempt to claim her heat by a short head at an SP of 3/1. Both of them go again tonight, but head-to-head in the final of the Romford Friday Night 500 Maidens.
It pays to follow this column.