By Rob Abrey
The Greyhound Derby is now at the business end of the competition with only twelve competitors left. To help fill that void between now and tomorrow night, Romford as usual host their weekly open race card. With twelve open races on show from 6.47pm including three heats of the yearly Rose Bowl over 575 metres there is plenty to enjoy. As ever there are greyhounds stepping up in trip for the first time and making their debuts around the Essex venue. It is some of those greyhounds that I have endeavoured to find out more about.
Local handler Paul Young on most Friday’s has several runners representing the kennels and tonight is no exception with eleven runners scheduled to compete. Of those eleven, tonight’s focus is on Bubbly Swift.
The July ’16 whelp is stepping up in trip for the first time in a maiden stayers race over 575 metres at 6.47pm. The daughter of Blackstone Gene and Bubbly Swallow has had all of her ten races on these shores over 400 metres in graded races.
She has gone through the grades nicely starting in A6, winning four along the way to an A1 win last time out. In the races she didn’t win she came second five times so from ten races she has only finished outside of the top two once. She is clearly very consistent and the way she runs on looks like a potential stayer. If able to stay the 575 metres as it appears she should, a stayers open win may be around the corner.
Paul said: “She has gone through the grades nicely and gives every indication she stays. She is bred to stay on her dam side by Bubbly Swallow. She has gone through the grades and has won an A1 and now feels the right time to step her up. It does not look like the hardest race so is a good test for her.
“She is going the right way and is a bitch in form and they are worth following. Trap four is where she wants to be. The middle boxes is what she wants. It is a good draw. A few of the Bubbly club are going and hope she gives a bold showing.”
Skybet make the local track specialist a 3/1 poke. That should be taken. She gives the impression she stays. Has a good trap draw and is a bitch in form.
As is becoming a weekly feature within your favourite column, Paul Young was asked the cheeky question to who of his eleven runners he thinks has the best chance. To that he replied: “Grampy Bill. He has been unlucky in his last two races and we will keep trying with him. He has every chance on Friday to break his duck as they say.”
Skybet make Grampy Bill 13/8.
Headford Mark trained by Yarmouth’s Maurice Rice is in the same race as Grampy Bill and will be looking to take the spoils for himself. In heat two of the Friday night 500 maidens at 7.34pm the May ’16 whelp has only had two races under the stewardship of Rice but has certainly hit the ground running.
The son of Taylors Sky and Roxholme Suzie has had two races at Yarmouth in A1 graded races over 462 metres winning one and finishing second in the other by a head. He clearly has early pace and if utilising that tonight may put the others including Grampy Bill under a bit of pressure. He is drawn in trap five tonight and Scarletts Boy on his inside in trap four has been withdrawn leaving it vacant. That extra bit of room could be very beneficial for a greyhound running at Romford for the first time.
Maurice said: “We fancy him a little bit. He looks a bit useful. He has had two runs at Yarmouth recently and has run really well. He was a bit unlucky on Saturday when he got caught on the line.
“He doesn’t want much further than 480 metres and 400 metres could be ideal for him. He has a nice bit of early. Trap five on Friday is fine for him. With no trap four he has more elbow room and has certainly shown early. There is one thing though. We have never won a race at Romford. We have been very, very close. It will be nice to get one on board!”
Those who want to take on Paul Young’s pick of his eleven runners then Headford Mark could be the one to do it with. He has race room now and is in fine form. The 7/2 being offered by Skybet feels a bit too big.
Yarmouth trainer Kevin Boon certainly doesn’t need a Sat Nav to get to Romford from his Norfolk base. The trip to Romford on a Friday is becoming a regular occurrence. Tonight he is tackling the Friday night traffic with four of his charges. From the four it is newcomer Cloncunny Brae that is the focus in your favourite weekly column. The August ’16 whelp is making his race debut on these shores in heat one of the Romford Friday night maidens over 400 metres at 7.18pm.
After two trials at Nottingham over 305 metres the son of Kinloch Brae and Ardera Tara will be looking to do what kennel mate Cloncunny Major did back in March and win first time up. Although making his race debut tonight on these shores he does have race experience in Ireland with a win at Clonmel over 480 metres. His trials at Nottingham showed potential and if taking to Romford he should not be waiting too long to shed his maiden tag.
Kevin said: “He’s a young dog that I had my eye on in Ireland for a while. I’m hoping in time he matches up to what I expect he could be. We are hoping one of the new greyhounds in the kennels can replace Shaneboy Freddie. He will be hard to replace but you never know. Brae could be that one.
“I was happy with his trials at Nottingham. I’ve not had time to get to Romford for a trial so he will go around there straight into a race. We will see what he does when the traps open. He has only been in the kennels for just over three weeks but has settled in really well. I’m hoping in time he shows what I think he can do.”
Skybet make Cloncunny Brae a 9/2 shot and should be considered. He could be anything and if taking to the track could be a player.
Painted Cliffs for Henlow trainer Paul Hebbs is making his Romford debut tonight in a standard affair over 400 metres at 9.26pm. The May ’15 whelp has certainly been given a baptism of fire but processes early that may help him spring a surprise. The son of Tullymurry Act and Rafa Baby is in a tough race against Bockos Alfie a Golden Sprint finalist and Stand Alone, a Champion Stakes finalist to name two. What he does have though is early and has shown that with a recent sprint win at Nottingham over 305 metres. He has had a look around Romford with a trial over 225 metres, clocking a decent calculated time of 13.88 seconds. He needs his trapping boots on tonight and if pinging the lids will certainly give the others something to think about.
Paul Hebbs said: “He has been running at Nottingham but the track doesn’t suit him. A galloping track is not ideal for him. He made the final of a sprint competition at Nottingham but never quite got the hang of the track.
“We did want to go for a sprint with him but it didn’t fill so entered him for a 400 metres race instead. He will get 400 metres. He has won an open over 460 metres at Henlow and we have been waiting for better weather to step him back up.
“He is fit enough and has been galloped. We hope he takes his chance and goes well. Hopefully he will come away. He has had a trial at Romford as I wouldn’t want to go there without one. Trap two is fine for him. It is not too far out from the rails. We will see how he goes and intend to bring him back.”
Ladbrokes and Coral make him a 14/1 shot and for those who like an outsider, he should be your choice. If trapping and getting to the front he could well spring a surprise.
