My thanks are extended to all connections who have provided us with some fantastic racing over the past couple of weeks, not forgetting the important contribution made by sponsors Premier Greyhound Racing and M Lambe Construction. I hope everyone enjoys what promises to be a great night. Martin
The first of four bitches contests this evening, all staged as a precursor to next week’s Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks. Crossfield Marta has reached top grade at home track Monmore with a five from nine record, and is respected accordingly, although she may have to improve on last week’s trial effort. Antigua Cuddles reached the semi-finals of Towcester’s Madri Excepcional Stake in the Summer, and returns to action here following a couple of months on the sidelines. Barrie Draper has taken his time with Distant Wendy, who makes her race debut this evening having just reached her second birthday, but the trap 5 runner has certainly caught the eye with some decent trials. Cherissethediva clocked a flying 23.23 at Crayford last month, but arrives without a previous look round.
Sel: Antigua Cuddles
With the Arena Racing Company Scurry Gold Cup also on the horizon, a few of the sprinting heavyweights are starting to flex their muscles. Waste House Oz got the better of All Is Good in a preparatory trial, although the trap 1 runner may well be better for the look round. Noels Fleck will be among those flying the flag for the locals, and Noel Synnott’s black arrives in tip top shape having won his last three. Ballymac Slapup has done well for connections, and has bagged comfortable wins at Yarmouth and Swindon in recent weeks. Drumdoit Jewel has been making hay at home track Towcester of late, but will have to come away well, drawn as she is. Newcomer Dubh Gasta looks interesting for Tom Heilbron.
Sel: Ballymac Slapup
My Little Ivy posted a decent trial last week, and should go well on the back of that, although may ideally prefer a draw slightly off the fence. Global Prima is yet to get off the mark for Patrick Janssens, but reached the semi-finals of the Limerick Oaks back in the Spring, and could be running into form judging by a couple of fair Romford efforts. Ballymac Lizzy broke her duck at Swindon recently, and should be staying on from halfway, whilst Mustang Kim will look to get a flyer on the wide outside.
Sel: Mustang Kim
Marathon action now, and with the withdrawal of Romeo Riot, the race becomes a little more open. Castell Mill reached the final of the Dorando on Derby Final night in June, and that experience will certainly stand her in good stead this evening. Loggies Sadie and Mollys Princess are closely matched on Towcester times, whilst Crossfield Topaz found herself tailed off in a heat of the TV Trophy back in April. Baggios Maid appears the most likely leader here, and could have these strung out on the first circuit. Frank Bryce’s bitch is brave, and will do her utmost to hang on.
Sel: Castell Mill
The puppies take centre stage now, and I’m sure we’ll be hearing a lot more of some of these in the months ahead. Romeo Top Cat has already made his mark at Towcester, and finished well when posting a sparkling 28.39 trial here a couple of weeks back. Distant Emma has already dipped below the 29.00sec barrier at home track Sheffield, and displayed decent early pace in a solo trial here last week. Links Maverick has been brought along steadily by Tom Heilbron, and is expected to be campaigned in all the major four bend competitions next year. Droopys By Amile acquitted himself well in Romford’s Puppy Cup, and could be a threat if handling the track first time round. Baggios Emoski and Good Spark have shown plenty of promise for connections, and should have bright futures.
Sel: Romeo Top Cat
Ballymac Ino has failed to respond to a toe injury and so Aero Doreen takes her place in trap 2 tonight. Bettys Book is a smashing multi-purpose type for Kevin Boon, and her class could see her go close this evening. Arthur Pumpkin won her second round heat of the Empress Stakes, and is another who will not lack for stamina having been successful over six bends at Monmore. Illkeepitdark is yet to get off the mark, but has shown promise in her short career to date, whilst Sweet Pear has seen little racing of late, and may need a couple of runs to reach peak fitness. Bonjour Bullet has been absent since June, but Belinda Green has been nothing if not thorough in bringing her back steadily, and that could pay dividends in the months ahead.
Sel: Bonjour Bullet
Probably as good a maiden as you are likely to find anywhere. Vixons Flyer acquitted himself well in the Birmingham Cup, but will need to drive the first bend in fearless fashion to establish a challenging position. Shall We can only boast the sole success from when based in Ireland, but connections appear to have bought themselves a smart bitch, and the daughter of the all-conquering Droopys Sydney looks the sort who will give them plenty of fun at a variety of tracks. Slick Sakina has just three races under her belt, but two smart trials here indicate it will not be too much longer before she gets off the mark. Roanna Storm finished behind Havana Lover and Ivanexile in the final of a Towcester puppy stake back in June, and with that form working out in no uncertain terms, a maiden success should be within her capabilities, although tonight’s draw in six doesn’t appear great on paper. Heathmill Silver stays well, and should have no problem with a six bend trip in due course.
Sel: Shall We
Savana Beau was far from disgraced in reaching the semi-finals of the PGR St Leger, and tonight’s slightly shorter trip should see him in a good light if able to fashion himself a decent position coming past the stands first time. Darbys Delight and Maglass Brave appear likely to set their stall out early, but with the trap 5 runner likely to be tacking in round the first two turns, both will have to be brave to hold their positions and forge a realistic chance of success. Great Name That landed a July Monmore dual distance final and backed that up with a place in the final of the Summer Stayers Classic, and should make his presence felt. Baggios Champ and Rock On Ronnie are ideally suited to this 660m trip.
Sel: Savana Beau
Some talented bitches on show, and I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see this sextet go a long way in the forthcoming PGR Oaks. Betsys Bullet quickly scooted through the grades at home track Hove, and has backed that up with some decent performances at Monmore. Trumpers Lola reached the semi-finals of the Empress Stakes, and looked right at home when making all in her preparatory trial. Ballymac Intent is a Swindon specialist, and is respected accordingly, whilst Timmys Penny has wasted no time in making her mark at Newcastle, and should continue to improve. Belles Good is still a maiden, but two good trials here indicate she has to be taken seriously. Farneys Chloe is capable over four and six bend trips, and will be finishing well.
Sel: Trumpers Lola
A fiercely competitive M Lambe Construction Birmingham Cup In Memory Of Michael Lambe Senior, underlined by what is a storming final. Innfield Trojan has been foot perfect so far, and a plum draw should see him hard to beat if coming away in his best fashion. Richard Rees has done remarkably well to get three through to this Category 1 final, and Bambis Magic belied his inexperience with a faultless semi final performance. Trap 4 is not what connections would have wanted I’m sure, and he’ll have to hit the lids and be as brave as a lion round the first two turns to give himself the best possible chance. Burnchurch Mick has been a grand servant, but may find himself squeezed for room between two heavyweights in the opening yards. Ivanexile has clocked identical times in the preliminaries, and a good draw should see him in the front rank from an early stage. Goldies Perryman lacks nothing in determination, and is quite capable of giving his loyal band of owners a terrific run for their money. Drive On Lad looks a future star over six bends.
Sel: Innfield Trojan
The St Leger never fails to deliver anything other than fantastic racing, and here we are in 2022 under the Premier Greyhound Racing banner with yet another superb final. Havana Lover has answered every question asked of her so far, and if tucking in behind likely leader Savana Ruinart, could be devilishly hard to beat. The latter posted a searing 16.08 sectional in her semi-final, a time which would be good enough to land most sprint opens round here, and further improvement for the Select Stayers champion is not beyond the realms of possibility. Chelms Cub and Cochise ran their hearts out to qualify for the classic final, and although neither should be too inconvenienced by their respective draws, it’s possible they may not prove conducive to an optimum break, something which may well be required in a race as hot as this. Droopys Jungle is running out of her skin at present, and credit to Matt Dartnall for getting such a sweet tune out of his three year old bitch. Similar comments apply to veteran Savana Volcano, and with her tracking skills and timing just about faultless in the preliminaries, her whirlwind finish is likely to keep everyone on the edge of their seats.
Sel: the heart says Savana Volcano, but the head says Havana Lover
A competitive standard brings the curtain down on a wonderful night, and with Billis Tudor having showed up well in the Birmingham Cup, Mark Wallis’ blue brindle would be a popular winner. Romeo De Niro has no less than four Perry Barr wins on his CV, and the trap 1 runner clearly loves it here. Monraud Thunder may not have hit the heights he did for Graham Holland since arriving on these shores, but an improvement on his recent trial times would come as no surprise at all. Magical Duke has had his issues off the track, but remains a talented sort, although a good start would help him no end. Farneys Buster has had a bit of a rough ride of late, but has the ability to ruffle a few feathers when everything clicks.
Sel: Billis Tudor
