No Tipsters Challenge this week. Racing Manager Andy Lisemore is ‘indisposed’ (bottled it). Last week’s results finished 7-4 in Big Mark Pierrepont’s favour and while even he will be embarrassed about the 4-9, 1-2, 8-15 and 2-17 winners, there were also three returned at odds against.
The usual 14-race card at Towcester racecourse this Sunday afternoon with 11 of the races of the open variety. All of the afternoon’s races are sponsored by TRC Events & Leisure.
Richard Rees Amazing Seb is selected to follow up last week’s success over course and distance. He’d run a very eye-catching race on his previous run here when narrowly beaten by Miss Big Pants. Despite being drawn a little wider than he’d have liked last week he overcame this to reel in Ohalabamaslama on the run in. It was another solid performance in a good time of 29.92 (-20).
Diane Henry’s Savana Cody has some top-class times on the card under trial conditions but struggles to reproduce in races and he’s likely to have John Mullins Icaal Danny looking to take his ground from the outset. With Patrick Janssens Oneforthelake also likely to edge off at trap rise Seb could well have a very nice run to the corner and if turning in a menacing position will take all of the beating.
Rees could well have a dog on his hands that might well go through a few rounds of the Derby here , he’s running the track well and has shown he doesn’t necessarily have to lead up in his races to perform to a decent standard , lightly raced and improving he’s definitely heading the right way.
A moderate enough maiden which won’t take a lot of winning. That winner is likely to come from whichever of the inside pair of Doohoma Range trained by Seamus Gaughan and Savana Sunlight trained by Derrick Atkins get first run. Slight preference is for Range who with one of his better breaks could well get a very cheap lead in a race not containing the greatest amount of early. His chance wouldn’t be gone either if dropping handily enough in a pitch. Definitely save on Sunlight though who will be all out at the finish even if he does get clear but could well just hang on if doing so. Darbys Sprint went well in his comeback trial for Tuffin but lacks a yard of early and might be trying to back run some more forward rivals whilst Meenagh Mac would be well capable on his top-grade form at Shelbourne from what’s a nice enough make up here but the suspicion is he’ll be seen to better effect in the coming weeks. Support in the market would be interesting though.
Although there is good reason why Vicki Lea’s Chelms Road is currently 0 from 19 in his career to date he’ll be priced big enough in the win and place markets to take a chance that he’s there were it matters at the finish. From what’s a nice looking make up he should get enough room to run early even if as usual he’s not the quickest into stride. This isn’t a good race and Vicki Lea’s greyhound should go close with any kind of run.
There isn’t much getting away from the chances of Diane Henry’s Adeles Duke. He reached the quarter final of the English Derby here last year when trained by Lee Field and though he’s had one or two issues since he’s been steadily brought back to fitness by Henry. Lining up for the past few runs in sprint company he’s shown enough to suggest that there is still plenty to come from him over four bends this year. Diane wouldn’t be one to rush back her greyhounds without believing them to be fully ready so take that as a clue that he’ll be primed to land what is a moderate enough affair.
John Mullins’ Your Kidding looks a good bet to land the first win of his career on just his third start. He run an eye-catching race on his first start over four bends last week. Drawn right against the fence he missed the kick and then lost ground throughout in behind dogs when looking to move off. Despite this his time of 30.36 (-20) was very decent especially in the context of this race. Much more suitably drawn here in trap 4 with 3 confirmed railers inside him , none of which are particularly fast up and with 2 low grade sprinting types outside him he should take all of the beating.
This looks straight forward for Savana Spartacus to complete the four timer for Diane Henry. He should lay second in the early stages to Seamus Gaughan’s well drawn Frostys Ten but should comfortably enough get the upper hand on that rival before the run in. A straight forecast on the pair looks the order of the day.
Derrick Atkins Savana Express who is progressing nicely here in graded company at Towcester can get off the mark in open class. He stays the trip well and might just get a soft lead against the rail. If he does lead round he won’t be picked up. Jason Bloomfields Holycross Brae has been running well in top grade at Henlow and would rate the main danger with a run.
It’s difficult to oppose Patrick Janssens Lautaro on anything bar price really. He’s one of the fastest greyhounds currently in training on UK soil and when he does get it right at the start there isn’t too much from these shores to worry about back running him. Having John Mullins Chelms Yes drawn right inside him isn’t ideal but with a break he should just about manage to find a way by him before the third turn. Drumcrow Brent loves it round here and will once again be staying on around the outside of the track although he’ll need to be a little sharper than in his comeback trial if he’s to be competitive in a top-class affair.
If you were looking to put a race together that would give a greyhound who has been showing plenty of pace in his races but struggling to get involved early – then this is the race you’d be hoping for. Patrick Janssens Droopys Artisan is very pacey from halfway but has been leaving all chance at the start and in the early stages of his races. He should get himself involved much earlier than usual here and if he doesn’t then it’s probably time to give up on him from a betting perspective at least. His 30.34 (-20) solo trial here last week was a bit disappointing really but I’d expect Patrick’s eyes lit up when looking at this race from the view point of getting a win on this dog’s card and I’d not be in the least bit surprised to see him a little bit livelier in competitive action today.
Mattie Richards Sureiknownothing can complete the course and distance hattrick having won D2 and D1 here in recent starts. He’ll have to be sharply away though with Jim Hayton’s Kirabilly Kathy likely to be leaning in on the run up. Seamus Gaughan’s Doohoma Wildcat trialled well but is likely to need the run and will find it tougher to reproduce his time under race conditions. Keep an eye on him in graded action soon though he’ll likely be winning before too long.
Vicki Lea’s Midfield Duke hasn’t been showing the same kind of early pace as he did when first arriving here at Towcester but he’s strengthened up and has run some solid races in defeat from further back in recent weeks. This is another race where a cheap lead could very well be got today at Towcester and Duke could very well be the dog to secure it. If he does then he’ll not be picked up with Lappidge raising the roof off the place by the time the dogs hit the back straight.
