The RPGTV Steel City Cup continues in earnest this evening with 3 semi finals and despite a few shocks of varying magnitudes in last weeks heats , the competition remains one of huge quality and one which will still take some amount of winning.
Droopys Verve jointly headed the ante-post market with Roxholme Nidge before last weeks first round at between 7/2 – 9/2 , however after an impressive first round victory that saw Angela Harrison’s superstar scorch to victory in a fastest of the round 2868 (-10) , he’s now been shortened in to a top priced 15/8 and as low as 5/4 in a place. Hayley Keightley’s Roxholme Nidge meanwhile remains backable at between 7/2 and 4/1 after finishing second in his heat behind Sean Parker’s Lightfoot King. Slowly away , Nidge soon paced up and took the lead. He began to slow by the fourth turn however and was eventually beaten 3 1/4 lengths in 2870 (-10). Let’s not forget the warning that was given out exclusively to Greyhound Star readers pre-competition , ‘healthy but not fully fit’ was the advice of assistant trainer Mark Keightley. As classy as Verve is , it may now be the case that any value left in the ante-post market now lies within the 4/1 freely available for Nidge.
Semi final 1 see’s the greyhounds head into traps at 824pm and after a brave and impressive victory in last weeks heat , Roxholme Jim is likely to be a warm order in the betting ring for Hayley and the team. Swift Jim , Ballymartin Hero , Swan Style , Droopys Wild and Trade Fudge will have their own hopes of Steel City glory however and in what is a competitive looking race , i’m sure all sets of connections would be hugely content to fill one of the two qualifying slots.
Team Keightley are likely to have another favourite lining up for semi final 2 at 844pm. Roxholme Nidge and supporters will be hoping for a swifter break this week and if doing so should lead , if he improves fitness wise as anticipated for last weeks first outing of the year , then he is sure to take the beating. With Droopys Expert on his inside and Small But Deadly to his immediate outside , Nidge will want to be coming away and taking command as swiftly as possible. Ballymac Miscula , Russanda Ripley and Lemon Ronald will also be no back numbers and will all be looking to qualify for next weeks category one final.
In semi final 3 the Angela Harrison trained Droopys Verve will rightfully head into traps as a strong odds on favourite. I’m not convinced by his draw in trap 1 , he moved off initially out of the traps from trap 2 in last weeks heat and is sure to do so again from a draw even tighter to the rail. There is no doubting in my mind that Verve is a better dog drawn nearer the middle , however he has proven on more than one occasion that he can not only cope and adapt to pretty much any draw , but he can produce top class performances when conditions aren’t ideal too. That is the hallmark of a champion greyhound. He will take a lot of beating but there are no mugs in this competition and Lostrigg Freddy , Headford Johnny , Lightfoot King , Bramble Reggie and Down To The Felt will not only be hoping to qualify , but they will be hoping to lower the colours of one of the sports biggest stars.
Whichever six greyhounds qualify for next weeks RPGTV Steel City Cup Final at the Owlerton Stadium Sheffield , it promises to be a race of real quality and produce a champion befitting one of the sports greatest competitions.
