We will kick off Friday with a tour of the Thursday battlefield, starting at NEWCASTLE.

It was another excellent night for Brian Usher who went for one selection on the night with £100 @ 7-4 on Final Mad. Get in! A £175 profit on the night. Track boss Ian Walton picked four and things started badly when his biggest bet (£40) on Ian Reel failed by a head. His next pick was also second but two £20 win singles on Waltham Magic (6-4) and Tyrap Bawn (3-1) produced a £30 profit on the night. For Jimmy Fenwick there was a sole success, £40 @ 6-4 on Swift Buckaroo which meant he broke even. Progress!

The winner at YARMOUTH was the grader. Look no further than the tenth race where all three tipsters attempted to decipher the form and didn’t manage a forecast place between them.

Of the trio, Nigel Tanner had £25 on evens favourite Shesontheway, for a net loss of £50. As for Liam Aspin and Lee Calcut. . . .oh dear, oh dear, oh dear.

NOTTINGHAM

Mark Pierrepont introduces tonight’s NOTTINGHAM challengers: “Sam Tingle is a long-time owner at Nottingham and big Leicester City supporter. Don Henley (not the American singer !) – loyal owner with Laurence Tuffin for many years and though Laurence has now moved to Towcester Don remains a keen form student at Nottingham and is a well respected judge of the local scene.

The form:

The views:

Mark Pierrepont:

Melville Jasper (R8 T2) at just short of 28 kilo maybe on the small size for a dog but what he lacks in stature he more than makes up for in heart. In very capable hands with trainer Terry Munslow he has now won his last two races at A4 and most recently at A3 level. Producing an excellent 5.09 split last time out despite being less than fluent at the start he found himself challenging long-time leader Bromwich Queen at just the wrong time when rounding the notorious third bend. He bided his time well before showing he lacks nothing in stamina or guts on the run in to win by half a length from Jill Llewellyn’s Tommys Lott who has since destroyed A4 company by 5 lengths. ‘Tommys’ is back up in class to re-oppose tonight but I don’t see it being as close this time around. A level break and Jasper should lead around on the inside comfortably and although Lynn Cooks Burghead Franby is sure to go with him for a huge portion of the race , on all known evidence that rival will find Tommy too strong on the run for home £75 win.
Honour Rocket (R12 T1) is a credit to trainer Adrian McPherson and his team. Now turned 5 years of age and competing at a very high level still. Well proven at A1 and open class level pre lockdown I fancy that his comeback effort at this level of A2 followed by a D2 sprint last time out will have sharpened him up nicely. This dog is too classy even at this stage of his career to remain in A3 for too long. He can lead on the inside with the main early paced dangers of trap 5 and 6 likely to do each other no favours at the turn £25 win.

Sam Tingle:

Catalan Heat (R5 T2) for Lynn Cook looks to have been given a good chance to get off the mark post comeback. Last week’s run will have blown the cobwebs away and in what looks a match on paper against Terry Munslow’s Newinn Jackie drawn out in trap 5 I’ll take my chance that Heat can rail well and take command of the race by the time they head down the back £50 win.
Headford Ruby (R10 T4trained by Paula Timmins is a bit of a speculative selection but should represent good value. This bitch has improved through the grades since debuting in A5 class in January and though well beaten on her sole start at this level of A2 last week, she’s sure to improve for that effort and a smash break tonight can see her continuing her progressive profile. Has a nice touch of early pace and the quicker summer tracks will ideally suit £50 win.

Don Henley:

Plaza Beauty (R6 T5) should make every post a winning one for Lynn Cook. Beaten favourite at short odds in her two post comeback races but it’s only a matter of time before she gets off the mark. Can win this before moving on up through the grades. Good thing £70 win.
Loher Honey (R7 T6) is the selection who although not an out and out wide runner should be able to hold a prominent pitch on the outside of tonight’s field. Winning well in her initial comeback race when leading from the outset she made it an A2 double when putting up an even better performance from just off the pace last time out. Up in class to A1 this evening but this bitch is well proven at this level and even in open class. Nothing like a bitch in form and you’ll do well to find a bitch running as well as Honey is at present £30 win.

ROMFORD

The ROMFORD challenge – for no apparent reason – has developed into a two-man buckle. Billy Brennan came with a profit last week. This time around, he is taking on Jason Grander of Star Sports

The form:

The views:

Billy Brennan
Harlem Rose (R2 T2) She has had two races back and has been unlucky in both. I can see her leading up the one, and if she does she will be very hard to peg back. £40 win
Dapper Sue (R11 T3) There has been some money for her this morning and I am not surprised. She was very unlucky in running behind Wall Garden last time out, who she takes on again tonight. I am clearly not the only one who spotted it. With two moving in she should get a clear run. £60 win
Jason Gander
Aero Wolves (R7 T6) This pup who turns 2 next month has ran some very creditable races in recent weeks going off a well backed short priced fav both starts since lockdown, I think the grader has given him a big chance to get round the 1st bend in front with a couple of 575 dogs in the race and to make it that bit sweeter, trainer Nathan hunt has been in sensational form and is testament to the fantastic young trainers we have coming through £70 win
Long Lincoln (R8 T5) Lincoln was well backed in a similarly warm A1 last week and slightly missed his break. He rarely does this two races in a row and although he is likely second favourite here to his kennel mate Teaboy Russet I feel like he can make the bend first and make it a quick fire double for Nathan Hunt £30 win