Tonight’s Betfred Steel City Cup meeting comes from Sheffield. But before we get into the selections, let’s look back to Champion Stakes night at Romford.
Derek Hope (bookmakers) drew a blank with both of his selections (March On Poppie & Jumeirah Maximus) beaten. Net loss £100 Kieron Dawson (owners) fared no better. He too was let down by March On Poppie and Starring Storm in the Champions Stakes final. Net loss £100
Scott Harvey (media) missed out on a double in his £25 trixie by half a length when Kilmore Lemon (10-11f) ran second; though Murrys Act duly obliged at 5-2. Net loss £100. Leaving Kevin Boon (trainers) to nail it with a £100 straight win on his Champion Stakes winner. Net profit £250
Contemplating Sheffield we have a strong Towcester connection with Michael Kemp, representing wife Hazel on behalf of the trainers. (All tips were made while Michael was wearing his Dennis Bergkamp Arsenal shirt)
For the layers, we have Tony Johnston, whose grandfather trained the second English Derby winner Boher Ash, and whose father trained the great Westpark Mustard. Tony is a partner in Towcester based bookies under the Nigel Flowers board.
Representing the owners is another bog Arsenal fan, Len Ponder who made all his selections while wearing a Jack Kelsey shirt (in honour of the Arsenal and Wales goalkeeping legend)
For the media, a first appearance of GBGB press officer, and long time greyhound owner and enthusiast, Simon Banks.
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
Tony Johnston (Bookmakers)
7:26 – Cappoquin Al: was thrown in at the deep end making his UK debut in the Derby, had run in the produce stakes, and has also run in a couple of Cat 1 comps. Dropped in class, should lead the dog on his inside , giving him first run on Geelo Yankee and Linlucky Cookie
8.51 – Dorotas Vic: from that incredible litter, caught the eye in defeat in
the heats of the steel city cup and followed up here last week, beating the reopposing Malico Champ.These were his first races since his Derby campaign in which he performed very credibly.
He looks like he is now coming of age and can get the better of track champ Candlelight Fire and Danzey Exception with a powerful back straight surge.
PUNTING: £100 double Cappoquin Al (5-2), Dorotas Vic (11-4)
Len Ponder (Owners)
7:11 – Old Fort Brandy: I like to make my selections based on draw and value and think Brandy should start at decent value.
7:26 – Piemans Boom: Similar story with this one, should get a decent run on the rail.
PUNTING: 2 x £10 win singles Old Fort Brandy (12-1), Piemans Boom (12-1), 2 x £40 win singles: Pinpoint Mo (6-4), Tynwald Baz (7-4)
Simon Banks (Media)
8.51 – Dorotas Vic: Can benefit from being the sole wide and stays well. A repeat of his last sectional should see him handily placed coming off the second bend and he can take it up down back. It’s a hot race but I think there may be bunching in the middle..
9:08 – Cappoquin Jack: Been keeping an eye on this fellow since the owner took him home to train from the sofa and he keeps on improving. Can’t help thinking he would be a shorter price if he was trained by big name trainer, given his form in qualifying, and is good value at around 6/1.
Michael Kemp (Trainer)
7:11 – Russanda Ripley: I always expect Elaine Parker to get a bagful of winners at Sheffield, she has so many good dogs and Ripley should get her off to a great start.
7:26 – Cappoquin Al: He would be one of my big fancies of the night with a 28.26 at Towcester off a 4.14 split. He just needs to break
7:43 – Lightfoot Mikel: I think he is the only one of that litter that breaks fast. He runs the track well and should be a decent price
8:16 – Pinpoint Mo: I think he looks the fastest dog in the race. Although years ago, we always wanted to see sprinters in traps one or six, these days, possibly because of changes in the hare, there seem to be a lot more winners from three and four.
8:51 – Candlelight Fire: Another winner for Elaine. The dog loves Sheffield and is very hard to beat on his own track.
9:08 – Dropzone: There are five railers in there and I don’t think six is a bad draw. He will take all the beating
PUNTING: 20 x £5 win trebles: Russanda Ripley (8-11) , Cappoquin Al (5-2) Lightfoot Mikel (5-1) Pinpoint Mo (6-4) Candlelight Fire (6-4) Dropzone (3-1)
