The Three Steps Challenge – for punters

There is no other competition in the Calendar like the Time Greyhound Nutrition 3 Steps To Victory and no punting challenge comes close in terms of it subtlety.

Do I select the likely winner of the 660m final, knowing full well that my selection may struggle to get through the 480m first round, or even tougher semi final with only two to qualify? Or do I look for a couple likely to make it through and lay-off my bets in the final?

All of this is further complicated by the overall quality of entry. Looking back over the years, we are not sure that there has ever been a better quality first six go to traps in the first round.

So are there any clues from the past?

  • The 2023 winner Distant Emma was a close third in the opening round, came off the pace to win the semi in 28.87 and finished well to take the final in 38.95. She started favourite in each.
  • The 2022 winner Coolavanny Aunty led and was caught over the 480 by local favourite Maximum Security. She was never headed in the 500m leg clocking 28.66 and then reversed form with Maximum Security in the final, an all-the-way, 38.78.
  • The 2021 winner Savana Eruption scraped through the 480s in third, was second in the semi final and was duly made favourite to land the stayers race.

Doesn’t help much does it?

Ante post: 4/1 New Destiny, 6/1 Savana Heross, 7/1 Havana Top Note, 12/1 Queen Georgia, 18/1Savana Jackpot, 20/1 Acomb Irene, Allowdale Cazoo, Catunda Layla 22/1 Agile Ange, 25/1 Ballymac Johnjo, Boylesports Gift, Golden Palace, Lightfoot Clark, Miami Bullet, Untold Taka, Wraysbury Katie, 33/1 Ballymac Diana, Clairkeith Remy, Coppice Kaiser, Farneys Willie, Pomba Jake, 50/1 Bramble Tango, Burgess Bono, Droopys By Amile, Ellanne Run, Millridge Tanic, Noelles Milano, Sandwood Ava, Trewmount Fury, Untold Zloty, 66/1 Dubai Kid, Magical Rubble, Pin All In, Some Effort, 80/1 Glengar Bridie, 100/1 Fearsome Quest

Untold Taka looks well placed to lead all the way following an impressive 480m win last week and plum draw in six. Queen Georgia has pace but no track knowledge with connections probably happy to settle for qualification. Trewmount Fury will be best suited to six bends but has enough quality to get through 6-3-2

 

This would have made a final. On known four bend form, it has to be the talented Acomb Irene from an ideal draw. After that, a lot of guesswork as to who gets a run. On that basis, the next best drawn runners are probably Havana Top Note and Agile Ange. But it is impossibly close to call. 4-1-6

 

Three locals in here and local knowledge could prove valuable. If she traps at her best, Catunda Layla could lead all the way though the impressive youngster Elanne Run continues to improve and has a fabulous strike rate. 4-3-1

 

Bramble Tango showed some ability to run fourth in the Gymcrack. The draw and course knowledge all work in his favour. If he makes it through and draws red, Savana Heross will be a major player in the latter stages of the event, he just loves Owlerton. 6-1-2

 

Another fiercely competitive qualifier. Maiden Derby third Miami Bullet impressed the racing office with his preparatory trials . . .Grand Priz winner Farneys Willie has sub 39.00 form for the six bends . . .Savana Jackpot has a 28.78 on his card at Towcester. . . Wraysbury Katie has 28.36 form at Newcastle. . . 3-4-2

 

Ante post favourite New Destiny hated Crayford and finished lame in the Golden Jacket there earlier in the year. She has been put aside for this event and on the bastsis to a 27.45 sighter, cannot be opposed. 3-5-2

Full card

Second jacket

All four first round heat winners go in the first semi final of the Ladbrokes Kent St.Leger and three of the four contested February’s Golden Jacket decider.

Here is a reminder of the results and the races: Coonough Crow, Ballymac Taylor, Razldazl Amanda, Dazl Rolex

Ante post: 10/3 Ballymac Taylor, Coonough Crow, 7/2 Dazl Rolex, 8/1Droopys Flotilla, 9/1Baywatch Bullet, 10/1 Razldazl Amanda, 16/1 Maleficent, 25/1 Low Pressure, 33/1 Longacres Porto Swift Delta, 50/1 Droopys Moose, 66/1 Terrific Tonic

The timer tends to become less relevant in races where traffic problems will be an issue and this could be one of those races. Coonough Crow loves the circuit and looks well drawn on rail, a position which she will fiercely defend. Dazl Rolex is possibly even better drawn in six. All Ballymac Taylor needs is a ‘half clear’ run. 1-6-4

 

With a draw closer to the rail, Droopys Flotilla would be considered a good bet in here.But she isn’t. On the other hand, Baywatch Bullet connections will fancy their chances with a plum draw on the inside, particularly if the blue and white runners repeat their first bend antics. 1-5-3

Full card

Union Rebel (Droopys Sydney-Union Secret, Jun 22) set a new Oxford 450m track record with a 26.44 run on Saturday night. It was three spots inside Romeo Cypher’s previous best.

DERBY favourite King Memphis goes in the seventh race of a fabulous card at Towcester this afternoon. He is drawn alongside last year’s beaten favourite Swords Rex. Entry for the Star Sports/TRC sponsored event closes at 7pm tomorrow.