It’s a fabulous double header at Perry Barr tonight as the track host the double Cat One whammy of the Premier Greyhound Racing St.Leger and the Lambe Construction Birmingham Cup Finals.
The meeting is previewed by Racing Manager Martin Seal. Of last week’s six semi finals, Martin selected four winners and two seconds.
First round review Semi final review
The first of two puppy races this evening. Ballycleary Ten failed to handle the Nottingham circuit last time out, and hit the deck on home turf prior to that, so is on something of a recovery mission. He has a bit of early zip at his disposal though, and that might be enough to see him round the corner in front. Longacres Baboo makes his UK debut here, and won an A3 contest at Galway last month. Bravo Zero found the Swindon Produce Stakes a touch too much at this stage of his career, but had been progressive prior to that. Savana Moya is a Liam Dowling bred youngster, and could be one to keep an eye on. Sel: 4-1-3
Just four going to traps for this 710m open, and a chance for one of this quartet to pick up some decent prize money. Westwell Dora caused a bit of an upset when beating Longacres Bullet over course and distance in August, and will look to do the same again if coming away in her best fashion. Pat Doocey’s blue brindle has been kept busy in recent months, and has won more than his share over six bends. Brinkleys Butler was a winner at Towcester last month, and is expected to have no issues with this trip. Archtubbjimwoodz is another to have had plenty of racing lately, but may find herself trailing the field early on. Sel: 2-3-4
Savana Yax has been brought along steadily by Diane Henry, and has turned the corner since switching to Henlow, winning his last two with a bit to spare. Coppice Ebby went out of the Produce Stakes at the semi-final stage, and should find things a little more to his liking here. Longacres Breeze has won three of her six starts so far, at Monmore and Towcester, and the draw has worked out well. Fair Joe has recently stepped up from two bends to four, and faces his toughest task to date. Darley Diglake lacks experience, but has shown rapid progression in trials, and will hope to be away and gone at the first turn. Sel: 4-2-1
Ballymac Taylor’s PGR St Leger hopes were dashed when she found herself tangled up with littermate Ballymac Katie last week, and Mark Wallis’s bitch will be looking to set the record straight this evening. Savana Heross found himself in fifth place going out on the second circuit after first bend trouble in his Leger semi, but rallied to such effect that he was a touch unlucky not to claim a place in the final. Snooty Rose was involved in the same incident, and performed above expectations to reach that stage. Trewmount Fury blew the opposition away in a Doncaster match race last week, his hand-timed effort being the fastest since Roxholme Poppy set new 661m figures in 2018. Sel: 2-1-3
Mustang Ojay has been carrying all before him of late, racking up a four timer at Swindon and Oxford, and the switch to two bends has clearly been the making of him. Crossfield Larry has been successful in five of his last seven, including a Monmore 210m track record, and Richie Taberner’s black has been a terrific servant. Cappaneale Rocky has hit form in recent weeks, both here and at Nottingham, but the trap 1 runner cannot afford to concede too much ground at the start. Leathems Buick saw his attempt at the five timer fall short, but that was no disgrace, and Mark Russell’s black warrants respect in his current mood. Mineola Fortress has a bit to find on the clock with some of these, whilst Headford Sonny is pacy, but as an out-and-out railer, would prefer a draw much nearer the fence. Sel: 3-5-1
With the PGR Oaks just around the corner, some talented bitches line up to do battle here. Whats Up Eva has been a terrific servant for Richard Rees, and with the draw looking just about ideal, could be a tough nut to crack. Newinn Touch pops up on a regular basis for the MWD Partnership, and a fast start would make her a player here. Mystical Megan has recently returned from an extended spell on the sidelines following injury, but a September Towcester success was a step in the right direction. Greenwell Grace has been lightly campaigned this year, but moved smoothly in a recent preparatory trial. Arthur Chicken won well over further at Henlow two runs back, whilst Newinn Nifty made her first outing of 2023 a successful one in the first round of Waterford’s Munster Oaks, and hails from one of the strongest kennels across the water. Sel: 1-3-2
Aero Arran gave his owners a thrilling ride to reach the Derby quarter finals in the summer, and has taken the step up to six bends in his stride. The striped jacket is an absolute must for Jacktavern Magic, and with a clear run almost assured, should have no excuses in this 660m contest. Savana Jazz put up a fine effort in the first round of the PGR St Leger despite trouble in running, and could have a say in matters if able to handle an inside draw. Coppice Dylan landed an Oxford maiden stayers earlier this month, whilst Go Go Abbie and Westwell Diego have plenty of local knowledge under their belts, and are sure to give it their best shot. Sel: 3-1-2
The final of the M Lambe Construction Birmingham Cup In Memory Of Michael Lambe Senior for 2023. As one might expect in a 480m Cat 1 these days, there is ferocious early pace everywhere one looks. Hawkfield Ozark landed the ARC Laurels in trap to line fashion in the spring, and has backed that up with fine efforts in Oxford’s Pall Mall and the Ladbrokes Gold Cup. Churchfield Syd finished a couple of places in front of the trap 2 runner in that Monmore final, and has taken to the Perry Barr circuit like a duck to water. Brookside Richie promptly rubbished my comment about him being a close railer in his semi-final by edging out on the run up, and another ping break may be required to sweep round the first bend in contention, something he is eminently capable of. The Kevin Hutton trained pair of Rioja Joey and Forest Icon have done well to reach their first Cat 1 final, and both have the ability to attain these heights again in the future. You have to admire Bockos Crystal’s willingness to mix it with the big boys, regardless of the occasion, and weighing in at 32kg, she is most definitely not going to shirk the issue. Bev Lochead’s brindle is a real crowd pleaser, and will likely look to tuck in behind the leaders and hope that a gap appears for her to make her challenge. Sel: 4-1-3
The final of the Premier Greyhound Racing St Leger for 2023. Following the unfortunate withdrawal of Garfiney Blaze, team Holland are left with one representative, and Jacktavern Bella will look to break smartly from trap 4 in order to give herself a chance of grabbing what could turn out to be the all-important first bend lead.
Sectionals suggest she has a chance of doing just that. Coonough Crow is terrifically consistent, finishing in the first three on a regular basis, but may be obliged to tuck in behind the leaders here, but even so, her chance cannot be underestimated hailing as she does from Imperial Kennels. How many times has Mark Wallis pulled a rabbit out of the hat in a Cat 1 final? Droopys Clue has been the talking dog of this year’s competition, rightly so, with two scintillating displays.
The youngest in the field by some margin, Seamus Cahill’s star faces a much stiffer test this evening with the pressure likely to be applied as soon as the traps open. Were he to replicate the splits posted in heat and semi, then it would likely be all over, but that is not a given sporting the blue jacket, with Lightfoot Clark on his inner knowing only one way of running, and that is eyeballs out from the off.
This trip is probably at the upper end of his range, but don’t be surprised if Jimmy Fenwick’s big black produces a bit more on the night it matters. It’s great to see Pat Curtin back on the big stage, and with Millridge Tanic able to both start and stay, he could find himself with plenty of room as the lone seeded runner. Sel: 2-5-6
A competitive finale to close proceedings. Hurry Up Jordan has had a stop-start campaign due to a couple of injuries, but went well under trial conditions last week, and this could be his for the taking. Kantoher Jack and Glenmalure Flyer acquitted themselves well in the Birmingham Cup, and are expected to be prominent from an early stage. Signet Denver and Long Raven exited at the first round stage of the competition, and have a bit of work to do on that basis, although the latter, now with Kevin Hutton, has been handed a horrible draw. Savana Titan has been competing over a variety of trips recently, and his best chance probably rests with tucking in behind the leaders and making his move late on. Sel: 5-2-4
