The three semi finals of the Carling Eclipse take place at Nottingham’s Colwick Park stadium. The original field of 36 was laced with quality from top to bottom, one of the best Eclipse fields in recent memory. We’re now down to 18 runners, the quality still clearly evident and the three semi final draws have opened up all manner of possibilities as the 18 seek to book their place in next weeks final.
The first semi final takes place at 8.23pm and though Beverley Heaton’s Ballymac Ambrose is sure to be sent off a deserved favourite, his draw in trap 1 appears to be less than perfect. There is
no doubting that Ambrose is a much better dog when drawn middle. He was ideally drawn in trap 3 in last weeks first round, paced up well and drove the bend before setting sail for victory in 2924 (+40).
With Pat Rosney’s Small But Deadly drawn to his immediate outside in trap 2 and Plaza Lep trained locally by Lynn Cook in trap 3, Ambrose cannot afford to be anything but perfectly away else he will undoubtedly find himself in a battle for position as the runners approach the bend. Kevin Hutton’s Ballymac Diego is drawn in four tonight, he run on really well to not only qualify but to win last weeks heat in 30.20 (+40). It was a good effort but the race was messy and the time tells a tale. He’ll need to track cleverly from a ponderous looking draw.
On the outside of the track are the Liz and Rab McNair trained pair of King Sheeran and King Cash.
Sheeran ran well in defeat in last weeks heat, finishing second behind the ultra impressive winner Bramble Reggie, whilst Cash finished third in his heat in the aforementioned Ballymac Diego race.
It looks tough for Cash but the path could be set clear for KING SHEERAN to get back to winning ways from what could be a nice draw in trap 5.
Betting: 6-4 Ballymac Ambrose, 10-3 Plaza Lep, 9-2 King Sheeran, 12-1 King Cash, 16-1 Ballymac Diego
The greyhounds head into the traps for semi final two at 8.37pm. What a race this is.
Waikiki Lad for Romford’s Phil Simmonds was well beaten behind Ballymac Ambrose last week but qualified in third place, it looks a tough assignment but he loves it around Nottingham and if he could come away in his best style he could give himself a qualifying chance. Roxholme Jim was simply sensational for Hayley Keightley and the team in last weeks heat, he’s moved in from the three box to the blue of two tonight, he’s really hitting a rich vein of form and is a leading contender for the competition.
Jim was very well backed throughout the day and on course for last weeks first round, his supporters had little worry as he sauntered to a 3 length victory over Small But Deadly in 29.20 (+40).
He’ll need a similar break tonight but in his current form that’s eminently possible.
King Lennon was an antepost pick of mine but despite running well to qualify from last weeks first round, he looks up against it this evening. Surrounded by early pace he’s going to have to run one of the best races of his career to progress to next weeks final.
ICE ON FIRE was a little ‘workmanlike’ by his own very high standards last week. That said he wouldn’t have been ideally suited by his trap 1 berth and he did clip the rail when rounding the first bend. He showed that he has guts as well as his undoubted class though when holding off the strong late challenge of Swift Fabio by 3/4 length.
I’m taking ‘Fire’ to ping out and make all from what should be a much more suitable draw in four tonight.
Forest Alan runs from trap 5 for Hove trainer Seamus Cahill. ‘Alan’ ran a fair race in second when qualifying behind Ballymac Ambrose, he’s likely going to have to step up on that effort to qualify for the final.
He’ll not only be attempting to pick off some top class front runners but he will also have to contend with John Mullin’s British bred star Romeo Rumble to his wide outside who will also be looking to make strong late gains in an effort to reach his second consecutive Category One final at Nottingham in just a matter of weeks.
It’s an intriguing race in which punters might be best advised to ‘watch and enjoy’ rather than get too heavily involved.
Betting: 4-5 Ice On Fire, 3-1 Roxholme Jim, 10-1 Waikiki Lad, 12-1 King Lennon, 14-1 Romeo Rumble, 16-1 King Alan
Semi final three at 8.51pm is another puzzle. Steven Anderson’s Bramble Reggie was outstanding when winning his first round heat in 29.58 (+40) by 3 3/4 lengths from King Sheeran.
Trap 1 isn’t a familiar berth for ‘Reggie’ having raced from the box just the twice, winning one and finishing second once. He’ll need to trap well with Kevin Huttons classy Ballymac Osby a huge frame for him to contend with on his immediate outside and Hayley Keightleys rails seeking Roxholme Glory drawn in trap 3.
The race to the corner will prove the key to the race for the inside trio. King Dylan is yet another semi finalist for Liz and Rab McNair, he finished a length behind Ice On Fire last week but will need to step up if he’s to progress.
Droopys Trapper was fairly beaten six lengths behind Roxholme Jim last week but is always a dog that benefits from a run around a track even if he’s previously been round before.
It would be no surprise to see him step up on last weeks effort for Angela Harrison but the selection is with Kim Billingham’s SWIFT FABIO to provide an upset at what could be big odds.
In many respects this is a top grade A1 dog from Monmore competing against some of the best open race dogs in the land, it won’t be long until he’s doing so on a regular basis himself though, he possesses wicked early pace and gave Ice On Fire supporters a fright in last weeks heat before eventually going down by 3/4 length.
I’m taking him to ping out, show his customary early pace and as the others crowd towards the inside he can set sail for home along the back straight.
Betting: 11-8 Bramble Reggie, 3-1 Roxholme Glory, 13-2 Droopys Trapper, 8-1 King Dylan, 10-1 Ballymac Osby, 12-1 Swift Fabio
As usual the best place to catch all of tonight’s Carling Eclipse action is at the track itself but if you really can’t make it Racing Post Television will be showcasing the evening live on Sky channel 431.
