Perry Barr Racing Manager Martin Seal previews two fabulous Category One competitions starting his evening.

Heat 1 of the M Lambe Construction Birmingham Cup In Memory Of Michael Lambe Senior. Hawkfield Ozark landed the ARC Laurels here in thrilling fashion back in April, and with the blue jacket absolutely ideal, Patrick Janssens’ black will be glad there is no Links Maverick in the field. Signet Denver landed the same competition a year earlier, and the big brindle returns here following serious injury at Sheffield last December. Kevin Hutton is doubly represented with Cuckoo Fund, who could surprise a few, whilst this is Warzone Tom’s first visit to Perry Barr, although the trap 5 runner remains a class act. With Saffrons Dash and Maree Master already proven over course and distance, there will be little margin for error. Sel: 2-1-5

 

Heat 1 of the Premier Greyhound Racing St Leger. Lightfoot Clark is two from three over Perry Barr’s 660m trip, breaking the 40.00sec barrier last April in the process, and Jimmy Fenwick’s black will look to make every yard here. Ballymac Katie accounted for a quality field on Irish Derby Final night, and will endeavour to tuck in behind the leaders before playing her hand late. Alright Gordy clearly enjoys it here, and performed above expectations against a warm field last week. Havana Top Note reached the final of Monmore’s Summer Stayers Classic, whilst Savana Jazz and Go Go Abbie remain a touch unexposed over this trip. Sel: 3-2-6

Goldies Perryman was just touched off in April’s ARC Laurels Final, and Paul Foster’s star continues to churn out solid efforts as he approaches his fourth birthday. Churchfield Syd has achieved plenty in his short career to date, chiefly at Monmore, and with the switch to a middle seeding, improvement is expected on last week’s sighter. Drive On Lad reached the final of last year’s Birmingham Cup, and the tough fawn has kept good company since then. 28.33 at Newcastle shows what Droopys Gravy is capable of, whilst Chelms Sonny and Whisky Champ both have decent lines of form on their respective CV’s Sel:4-3-2

Reigning PGR St Leger champion Havana Lover has been sparingly campaigned this year, but still managed to land Oxford’s Hunt Cup in runaway fashion last April. Low Pressure used his early zip to make every yard in a trial stake last week, and something similar this evening would come as no surprise. Jacktavern Bella has been mixing it with the best of late, and routed a decent field on Derby Final night at Towcester earlier this summer. Night Time Danny was a gallant runner up behind Space Jet in the final of the 2021 renewal, whilst Westwell Diego and Snooty Rose have accrued plenty of experience over course and distance. Sel: 6-3-1

Bockos Crystal excelled herself in the Irish Derby Final at Shelbourne Park last weekend, and will look to continue that improvement into the Birmingham Cup and beyond. Hurry Up Jordan acquired a good reputation from an early stage, but returns here following three months out with injury. Kennelmate Bandit Billy is devilishly difficult to beat round here, and the draw in red is absolutely perfect. Glenmalure Flyer has already proved himself a useful sort for Steve Howard, and is likely to win plenty more in the months ahead. Sel: 3-5-1

Ballymac Taylor is from a superb litter, and is equally effective over this trip as well as further. PGR Puppy Derby winner Bradys Bullet has only raced a handful of times since then, and it will be interesting to see how the trap 1 runner fares for the excellent Belinda Green. Cooladerry Habs and Loggies Cain stayed six bends in Ireland, whilst Westwell Dora has claimed a few scalps at big prices in recent weeks, and Tory Bellatrix has been performing consistently at Towcester. Sel: 2-1-4

Rioja Joey has always looked a useful sort, and having taken to Perry Barr like a duck to water, could be difficult to catch if breaking in front. Peregrine Ryan is capable of a quick start, and could keep the trap 4 runner company early on, whilst Kantoher Jack, Coppice Kaiser and Chelms Greatest look fairly evenly matched at this stage of their careers. Unreal Bruiser is a four time winner in Ireland, including a 29.75 for Clonmel’s 550yd trip, and wouldn’t be coming over if Graham Holland didn’t think he was capable of making his mark on the competition. Sel: 4-3-1

Not a lot I can say about Space Jet that hasn’t been said before, with greyhounds of her stature coming along once in a blue moon. Corn Cuchulainn finalist Garfiney Blaze has met and beaten the best staying dogs in Ireland, and warmed up for this by reaching the quarter finals of the Irish Derby. Savana Heross is a quality operator in his own right, and got within a neck of the 2021 St Leger champ in the semi-finals of Hove’s Regency. Teds Dexter has done well for Nathan Hunt at a variety of tracks, and could surprise a few people here. Sel: 4-3-6
Ivanexile spent a couple of months on the sidelines following his Birmingham Cup heroics of last year, but Matt Dartnall’s star has still managed to reach the final of the ARC Laurels and Oxford’s Pall Mall this term. Coppice Rocket reached the final of Nottingham’s Puppy Classic, whilst Havana Bale Out‘s demolition job in the Sussex Cup Consolation is still fresh in the memory. Hesoneofourown has spent most of the last six months on the sidelines, but did reach the final of Monmore’s Winter Derby, and should not be written off just yet. Long Raven and Trouble Shooter arrive in good form, and also have chances in a wide open contest. Sel: 2-3-5
Fifty Nine broke the Oxford 650m clock two runs back, but found himself crowded out of it last week, and may be better slightly off the fence. Having said that, he has a much better chance of leading round on the inside tonight. Jacktavern Magic is an out and out trap 6 dog, and is expected to share the pacemaking duties for Mark Wallis. Longacres Serta has caught the eye on every visit to Perry Barr, and has the potential to develop into a TV Trophy contender. Droopys Arabella never saw another rival when stepped up in trip on just her third start, and could have a bright future, whilst Ballymac Mags and Millridge Tanic should have no problem with the trip. Sel: 3-1-6
ARC Northern Flat champ Brookside Richie has been a star for Jimmy Fenwick, and the beautifully balanced black twice dipped below the 28.00sec barrier in trials here this time last year. Eze is turning into a proper greyhound for Angie Kibble, and the handsome brindle and white’s middle pace could take him an awful long way in this year’s Birmingham Cup. Tough as teak Ballymac Run has been an absolute warrior for Liam Dowling, and the draw in red is perfect. Sambar Seamus is coming along nicely, and looks ready for the step up in class, whilst Forest Icon’s latest trial work has been very encouraging. Sel: 4-2-1

Lively Lauren has developed into a formidable six bend competitor on the open race circuit, and tends to take an awful lot of beating in whichever race she rocks up. Juvenile Classic champ Droopys Clue spent his early career at Hove and Towcester, but performed well when running up in Monmore’s Summer Stayers Classic, and could have more to offer. Coonough Crow landed Sunderland’s ARC Grand Prix back in April, and has acquitted herself well all over the country since then. Ballyhimikin Mel won well in two starts over Perry Barr’s 660m trip in June, but hasn’t seen much racing since. Sel: 1-3-4