TOWCESTER SUNDAY CARD – PREVIEWED BY MARK PIERREPONT

First open race of the afternoon see’s the dogs head to traps for the TRC Events & Leisure Standard over 500m at 3.11pm.  Not a certainty by any means but Alien World can get back to winning ways having been beaten though not disgraced in his last 2 outings.  Frank Gray’s February 2020 pup remains a youngster destined to be competing at a high level and though not at his best at trap rise in his two most recent starts he’s worked his way into contention before blowing up late.  The key to success today is finding one of his better breaks and if doing so he should soon be clear and given the make-up of today’s race that should be enough.  Detroit for John Mullins is a vastly underrated greyhound and incredibly tough to beat off the front.  He’ll need to be sharp to clear Droopys Madam to his inside today though and those two could easily become embroiled in a battle which will only serve to play into the hands of Alien World and on that basis he’s selected to make all.

Next up at 3.28pm is the TRC Events & Leisure Maiden Stayers over 712m.  Aayamza Dream looks unopposable despite being drawn a little wider than ideal.  Dream already has some top-class winning form on the card over a stiff six bends on Irish soil with the high class Ballymac Wisdom beaten into second on her final start on Irish soil over 686m at Limerick in April.  Targeted at the St Leger at Perry Barr recently Dream finished a creditable second in her heat behind Southfield Code and was unlucky not to qualify for the final with a third-place finish in the semi won by eventual champion Space Jet.  Dream should soon be clear in what should turn into a race against the clock from a very early stage.

The 1st Containers Marathon Trophy semi-final 1 over 912m at 3.48pm.  Diane Henry’s Savana Volcano finished third last week in what was one of the greatest marathon races seen in a number of years.  There’s no Space Jet or Aayamza Royale in the line-up today however and it will be somewhat of a surprise if she doesn’t get back to winning ways and claim a place in next week’s final and a rematch against Space Jet and Royale in the process.  Droopys Jungle has plenty to find on the clock but stayed on well when taking her heat for Matt Dartnall last week and can take the runner up slot with Burgess Elite for John Mullins hanging on for third and with it the third available slot in next week’s final.

The £6,000 To The Winner BGBF Puppy Cup Final over 470m at 4.08pm.  A fantastic achievement for Kevin Hutton to be trebly represented with 3 of his January 2020 litter by Magical Bale and out of his superstar brood Forest Natalee.  Sleek By Design is definitely drawn wider than ideal out in trap 5 but Kevin is adept at getting a break from his greyhounds when it matters most and I fancy her to smash out and make all following up on last week’s sensational semi-final success.  Litter mate Signet Denver is well housed to follow her sibling around in second and can follow her home for a memorable one two.

The second of the 1st Containers Marathon Trophy semi-finals at 4.28pm and what a race we have in prospect.  Matt Dartnall’s St Leger Champion Space Jet was simply sensational when winning on her first try over eight bends in last week’s heat and the frightening thing is she can only improve.  She’s selected to follow up but she’ll have to be right up to her game with Antigua Lava for Mark Wallis likely to lead and will be no pushover to get by.  She’s fancied to do so in the latter stages of what should be another high-class race with Aayamza Royale also for Mark Wallis in the race it could prove to be yet another classic.  Space Jet just from Lava in second with Royale finishing strongly to set up what could well be one of the finest marathon races in living memory.

TRC Events & Leisure Maiden company over 500m at 4.48pm.  Chelms Tornado for John Mullins won’t get many better opportunities to gain his first UK victory at what will be his thirteenth attempt at doing so.  He’s been knocking at the door lately and this represents another superb opportunity to make every post a winning one.  It will be disappointing if he doesn’t oblige.

TRC Events & Leisure Standard company over 500m at 5.08pm.  Savana Poncho is inconsistent at the start but with a break Frank Gray’s dog will win this and will win it well.  Anything like a level start and he’ll have too much pace for these rivals and can and can gain a confidence boosting win.

Final open race of the day is the TRC Events & Leisure Stayers over 712m.  Peter Harnden’s sensational staying bitch Salacres Pippy attempts to make it a hattrick of wins and despite being drawn a little wider than ideal she’s selected to do so.  The writing was on the wall for Diane Henry’s Savana Scrappy from an early-stage last week and it can be a case of Deja Vu with a similar scenario likely here.  Pippy to turn handy at worst and prove too strong in the latter stages once again.