* Preview of the Gain Greyhound Nutrition Three Steps Final
*Video reminders of the semi finals
*Full race form for all tonight’s Sheffield races.
“If he doesn’t stay, then he isn’t the dog I thought we had bought.”
Mark Keightley was typically forthright as he viewed the chances of the kennel in tonight’s Gain Greyhound Nutrition Three Steps To Victory Final at Sheffield.
Wife Hayley sends out half the field including the short priced favourite Roxholme Kristof. A track record breaker for the 480m on debut, the son of a former Three Steps winner Ballymac Eske, was equally as impressive in the 500m semi finals and is rated a 4-9 chance to land the tri-distance decider over 660m.
Mark said: “When we first went to look at him, it was his trapping that was his problem. He didn’t come away particularly well in any of his races, apart from the one after which we brought him. But it was clear to me that he had great potential over a longer distance. His times from the third bend at Limerick to the winning line were faster than Skywalker Logan and that would make him a serious greyhound. Since joining Hayley, maybe he was learning, maybe he likes the Sheffield traps, but his trapping has improved considerably.
“I am very relaxed about the draw. With five railers, I believe the five will move in sooner or later, and Kristof can make full use of his middle pace to take up the running.
“I suppose, ideally, I would have liked to have seen our other two reversed in the draw. But I am not too concerned. Roxholme Glory is a magnificent hound, a gentleman of a dog, inside the kennel and out, and an absolute win machine. If Kirstof makes a mistake, Glory is good enough to take advantage and I expect a big run from him.
“As far as Ballydoyle Bee is concerned, she is fit and well, and in excellent condition, as you would expect from a former Graham Holland trained runner. But we have only had her in the kennel for a short period of time and I am not convinced that she has entirely settled in just yet. I wouldn’t put anybody off her; we know how much ability she has as a stayer; I just think she needs a little longer to adapt to the change.
“Finally, I would particularly like to thank the people at GAIN for their sponsorship. It is very tough at there at the moment, and sponsors of that calibre are very hard to find.”
Betting: 4-9 Roxholme Kristof, 4-1 Roxholme Glory, 10-1 Daddys Prince, 14-1 Easy On, 16-1 Ballydoyle Bee, 25-1 Clever Airmount
Blacktone Milo (R8) is currently trading at 8-15 to win the Brinkley Poet At Stud Young Guns Final. The shorter priced of the two Ted Soppitt runners, clocked 27.56 in the fastest semi final
Betting: 4-9 Blackstone Milo, 3-1 Droopys Delight, 13-2 Havana Potter, 14-1 Dettori Day, 16-1 Noels Cookie, 33-1 East Indicator
Rest of card
