Tonight we move onto Romford for the Punters Challenge but before introducing the teams, we should have a quick review from Peterborough.
Towcester bookies Brian Hoggarth was unable to build on previous success but made a decent fist of it. Although Dark Crystal weighed in at 7-1 as part of his each way double, Amelie Jeanie let him down. Net loss £100.
Andy ‘Azzurri’ Parisi (owners) picked up a couple of short priced winning favourites (8-13f, 1-2f) but was let down with two more favourites and his acca. Net loss £37.69.
Scott Harvey (media) went all-in on Hiya Butt (1-2f) and was rewarded with a Net profit £50.
But it was trainer Dave Pruhs who shot himself in the foot – at least as far as the Challenge was concerned.
He had already backed Tullymurry Sid at 11-10 taking the early value, but after flagging up Roger York’s runner in the Challenge, he watched as the money poured on for an SP return of 8-13f. Net profit £61.54.
So, tonight we welcome back BAGS’s press officer Scott Harvey hoping to build on his success and representing the media.
For the owners, we have drafted in the head of Monmore’s innovative owners association Kieron Dawson. In a few hours time, we will find out if the school teacher and head of year has done his homework.
Former Wimbledon racing manager Derek Hope makes a first appearance and is representing the dark side, courtesy of William Hill.
The rules remain unchanged – the placing of a fictional £100 on the SKY card, singles or multiples. We quote early prices, but make winning calculations based on SP (since the early prices may be spread across different firms).
Full form is below tips
DEREK HOPE (Bookmakers)
7:43 – March On Poppie This bitch has improved with each run for Patrick Janssens. I thought last week she ran a blinder. She missed the start slightly and paced up well before finding crowding at a key moment at the first bend. It is subtle, but she was also crowded around the three quarter mark before staying on strongly. The makeup of the race looks good with Roxholme Martha a potential hazard for Chopchop Hope. If March On Poppie can start like she did on the 9th June at the same track, she is going to be difficult to beat. She looks the value in the race.
8.33 – Jumeriah Maximus: has always been a pacey individual. His Achilles Heel is his starting which has never been foot perfect! He has taken on some classy greyhounds in sprints recently and it has been his start which has let him down. Until last week’s run you have to go back to Romford Jan 2017 for the last time he raced over 4 bends. He won that race in 24.00sec and I think it is a shrewd move by Seamus to step him back up in trip. He is perfectly drawn in trap one. He runs a lovely bend and should improve for the look at Romford. This race looks a step down in class compared with some of his sprints and there is also the added potential that Trap 3 and Trap 4 may hinder each other on the race to bend allowing him the perfect run on the rails.
PUNTING: 2 x £40 win singles, £20 win double March On Poppie (4-1), Jumeirah Maximus (5-2)
KIERON DAWSON (Owners)
7:43 – March On Poppie I was impressed by the daughter of Pots and Pans at Monmore and should improve for the look around Romford. She has plenty of pace to win the race but it would be very foolish not to respect the Paul Young runners. Hoping for a fast start for Poppie
9:08 – Starring Storm Looks to have a fantastic draw and is capable of running a big race. As with any race, you want to see a clear run for all 6 dogs but envisage some trouble around the first two bends, which could play into Storm’s hands.
PUNTING: 2 x £30 win singles and a £40 win double: March On Poppie (4-1), Starring Storm (4-1)
SCOTT HARVEY (Media)
7:59 – Kilmore Lemon: You don’t see many pups scorching round here in 24.03sec, and I’d love to own him.
8:16 – Brilliant Chance: has just that in the Maiden Stayers Final. Frank Gray’s progressive bitch has made her way through the grades at Central Park and very nearly pulled off a trap to line success when stepped up in trip over course and distance last time. She could get first run on these and can hopefully hang on. Kevin Boon’s runners are always to be respected at Romford but his Reality Train could probably do with being drawn out a little wider here. Its hard to fault Woodholdthedoor who completed a four timer last time when picking up Brilliant Chance late on and will again be doing his best work late.
9:08 – Murrys Act: was caught napping at the boxes in his semi and cannot afford another tardy start here. The sole wide seed, he can take advantage of any scrimmaging on his inside and can make his class tell from halfway. Stand Alone is a credit to David Mullins and would be difficult to dislodge if dictating matters.
Kevin Boom (Trainer)
I have runners in three different finals tonight, just I would have the whole £100 on just one of them.
9:08 – Murrys Act: I just need him to break like he did in the first round where he did a 13.56 sectional. He missed his break in the semi final and jarred himself a bit at the boxes but then ran the race of his life to qualify. I think he has the best middle pace in the final and if he is within a couple of lengths of Castell Henry at the second bend I would expect him to go on and win.
PUNTING: £100 win Murrys Act (9-4)
