The top three in the market clash in the last semi-final of the Stadium Bookmakers National Sprint over 305 metres at Nottingham tonight with the puppy Scolari Sound fancied to overcome some more established sprinters writes Jason Craddock.
David Pruhs’ runner clocked the fastest time of the round last week when scoring in 17.50sec, which was his fourth win in six races at the track.
Trap one is not always conducive to a fast break at Nottingham but he overcame it last week and can repeat the feat.
Walshes Hill, who has won 16 races this year, is a massive threat.
Jimmy Walsh’s runner was workmanlike on his return when leading early and just holding off Mac Foiche by half a length in 17.71sec and did take a fall after the line.
If he’s back to his best he will be hard to hold.
Ballybee Brewery and Barrow Rumble are the other big runners. Liz McNair’s Ballybee Brewery recently completed an eight-timer but was beaten by Scolari Sound last week, while Nick Savva’s Barrow Rumble was a 14-1 shock winner last week in 17.67sec and has to be considered.
Laughing Gravy can give Pruhs a double by taking the second semi-final.
The 2014 Romford Puppy Cup winner did well to beat the re-opposing Cloncunny Ardera last week after failing to start in his best fashion.
A normal fast break can see him score at the main expense of Mac Foiche, who made Walshes Hill pull out all the stops last week.
Sidarian Bullet can hold off the twin forces of Kevin Hutton’s Vanayamzaman and Stanton Stream in the opening semi-final.
Charlie Lister’s runner has won 10 of his 18 races at the East Midlands venue and can out-trap his main rivals, who are both better in the second part of the race and then hold on.
Vanayzmzaman ran a cracker behind Walshes Hill last week and will be finishing strongly, while Stanton Stream looked unlucky last week when crowded at a vital point and will be hard to keep out of a qualifying place.
