Joe’s Wednesday Bets

***9.46 Romford – Bubbly Bluebelle 11/4 (2pts)
**7.22 Yarmouth – Mr Hotstepper 9/4 (2pts)
*7.16 Perry Barr – Brickwork Bill 6/4 (2pts)
Three disappointing delections on Tuesday see us head into Wednesday looking to bounce back with a selection from Romford, Yarmouth and Perry Barr.
The nap of the evening runs in the final race at Romford where Bubbly Bluebelle lines up in an S3 from trap two at 9.46pm. Now she is nowhere near the Bubbly Bluebelle of old as she wouldn’t be running in this grade, however this five dog race has given her the perfect opportunity to return to winning ways following a short break. Her last two competitive lines of form are defeats to Jeopardy Delta and Bacon Frazzles who are now competing in open race company behind the likes of Mad For Sterling so this is a significant drop in class for Bubbly Bluebelle where a clean break from trap two can see her lead and dominate proceedings.
We head to Yarmouth for the next best where Mr Hotstepper runs from trap one in the A1 at 7.22pm. A greyhound in brilliant form who has taken to the track well following his move from Ireland, Mr Hotstepper has also shown his versatility by winning comfortably over Romford’s 575m distance last Friday in a fast 35.47. He returns to his home track this evening looking to make it four graded wins from six starts and three A1s on the bounce. I would expect Laugh Alot in trap three to take the field along so as long as Mr Hotstepper can lead Rathcoole Rebel and Garnacanty Girl to the first bend, he should turn in a prominent position to strike a blow and land an A1 hat trick.
The third bet for the evening is at Perry Barr. Trap four Brickwork Bill gets a downgrade from A2 to A3 and looks set to go well. A lightly raced type who has graded in well following a very impressive 16.21 sprint trial backed up by a 28.95 four bend trial, Brickwork Bill did not have things her own way in A2 two weeks ago but this is an easier assignment and a ping break from trap four can see her lead and make all.

Bob can do a Boylesports job

Multiple Derby winning trainer Paul Hennessy, is once again in the thick of the action with Boylesports Bob due to represent him and owner John (Boylesports) Boyle in this Saturday’s Irish Greyhound Derby semi final.

The man froom Gowran said: “We’ve trained for John (Boyle), who’s a great friend, for a number of years and I always had John in mind when watching Bob at Kilkenny.

“His support for greyhound racing, especially through BoyleSports has been incredible and this Derby is proving special in many ways.

“But going back to Boylesports Bob, it’s just been a great journey with him and the two lads and we’re one race from the final – and that would be special.

“However, we know what semi-finals are. You’re one step away from the final and it’s really just about qualification – we’d take third now! It’s a red-hot semi-final as you’d expect with lots of pace but hopefully he gets room to run – that’s all we can ask for. Then we know we’re in with a chance because this dog just never gives up.

“We couldn’t be happier with Bob – he is doing his thing and fingers are definitely crossed for this Saturday in the semi-finals.

“It’d be great to make the final, especially for John and Ned [Murphy, co-owner]. That would mean a lot to us, because we can see the immense pleasure and fun Bob is giving the two of them.

“He’s just a brilliant greyhound for us, such a good competition dog in the highest class. He’s only been in three competitions this year, the Easter Cup and the English Derby, and reached the final in both, finishing second at Towcester, and now is in the semi-finals of the Irish Derby. It’s not a bad record and hopefully there’s another chapter to be written here.

“It’s actually worked out well for us with how Bob is running, but the competition as a whole has been great. Graham’s (Holland) dog Bockos Diamond has broken the 550yd track record and, in the Puppy Oaks, Robert’s (Gleeson) Droopys Kathleen was amazing in breaking the 525yd record – so there’s been plenty to enjoy at Shelbourne during the months of October and November.”

“Going back to the start, he’d showed promise in the Champion Unraced in Kilkenny when known as Forest Paddy. John Kennedy of Good News fame had told us to look out for him – he was a pup with a future it seemed – and, while he failed to qualify for the second round, you could see there was something there.

“He had obvious ability – and I approached Ned (Murphy), who had a half a share in him, to buy him. Ned was happy for us to be involved, but wanted to keep part of him so he could have a ‘Saturday night’ dog at Shelbourne. Well, fair play to Ned and John, they’re living the dream. They’ve had that – and more – and will be at Shelbourne again this Saturday.

“And the improvements and investment in Shelbourne Park has been brilliant and well done to all who’ve made it possible. The Shelbourne experience has always been great – but it’s even better now.”

BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby odds: Bockos Diamond 5/4, Bombay Pat 8/1, Carrick Aldo, Boylesports Bob, Cheap Sandwiches 10/1 Callaway Knegare 12/1 Da Bold Falcon, Marck On Freddie, Ballinabola Jim 14/1 Seven Beach 20/1 A Lucky Julie 25/1 Singalong Dolly 40/1

For those of you who haven’t yet caught up with the latest Gone To The Dogs podcast, it is another cracker. Here is a snippet of Home Run Hounds home finder Claire Butler being interviewed by Dani Jackson and Gail May.

The full Podcast interview can be found here

ALMA KEPPIE

ALMA KEPPIE

ALAN MASTERS, former chairman of Poole’s Greyhound Owners and Trainers’ Association, has paid tribute to Alma Keppie, who died last week. She was 63.

The former Poole and Hove trainer died after a long illness and Masters said throughout the time he knew Alma “the dogs always came first”.

He said: “She was so proud of the greyhounds in her care, a lovely and honest lady who was never really well but made sure the dogs always came first.

“She would always help out when we staged fundraising dinners for the retired dogs and would often be the last to leave when we were clearing up. She cared.”

Hove commentator Patrick Kelly added: “Alma Keppie’s family trained greyhounds at Poole in the 1960s and they were well known in greyhound circles for the ‘Fletchwood’ prefix, based out the New Forest. She was very much linked to Poole for many years.

“However, it was a greyhound by the name of Stun Gun who helped her first come to prominence at Hove when winning the 2016 Sussex Puppy Trophy. It was after that success that Alma secured a place as a trainer at Hove in 2019.

“Alma always said Eden Rumble, her 2013 Ladbroke Golden Jacket finalist, and Cabra Scooby, runner-up to Viking Jack in the 2014 Ladbrokes Gold Cup final, were two of the best she trained.

“Alma achieved her best seasonal tally at Hove with 190 winners from 1053 graded runners at Hove.”

Coolavanny Mercy bids for emotional and record-breaking
Premier Greyhound Racing Classic crown

A professional footballer turned greyhound trainer who was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease is hoping to have his spirits lifted on Friday in a major competition final writes Shaun Reynolds.

Jimmy Wright played for Leeds United and St Johnstone before concluding his career in Australia after which he swapped boots for paws by fulfilling a lifetime ambition of working in greyhound racing.

The 67-year-old has been assistant trainer to partner Angela Harrison at their kennels in Alnwick, Northumberland, where together they’ve won some of the sport’s most prestigious competitions including the All England Cup and Grand Prix.

A year on from Jimmy’s MND diagnosis, the couple are dreaming of adding an unprecedented fourth Premier Greyhound Racing Classic to their honours’ list when Coolavanny Mercy runs in the £20,000 final at Sunderland Stadium on Friday night.

It would provide a brief respite for Jimmy and Angela who will watch the race from home due to Jimmy’s deteriorating health from the disease which affects more than 5,000 adults in the UK at any one time.

A two-times Category One competition finalist, Coolavanny Mercy has been drawn in Trap Five for Sunderland Stadium’s feature race. And with a fast start from the traps, Angela sees no reason why they can’t be in the mix.

“Reaching the final gave everyone a huge lift,” said Angela. “Qualifying for a Category One final is a big achievement and Jimmy was delighted.

“It’s been a tough year, and we won’t make it trackside for the final but we’ll be watching the race at home and keeping our fingers crossed. Winning the Classic would mean so much to us both.

“She (Coolavanny Mercy) will be one of the strongest greyhounds in the race towards the end so if she can trap well she has every chance.

“We’re happy with the draw and her running style does suit the smaller tracks which will work to our advantage. Her semi final was a tough race with a lot of early pace on her inside but she has proven herself to be capable of qualifying for Category One finals before so hopefully it’s a case of third time lucky.”

Joining Coolavanny Mercy in the final are locally trained Bramble Linton and Unanimous Leon for north-east trainers Steven Anderson and Tom Heilbron respectively.

Matt Dartnall’s Fire and Ice, David Mullins’ Brindle Bully and Garry Hamilton’s Oscar the Grouch complete the race which will be supported by seven Open Races and four graded races with the first race due off at 7.08pm. Tickets, trackside packages and restaurant bookings can be made by clicking here. Doors open at 6.15pm.

Angela and Jimmy with the great Droopys Buick

OPENS

Thursday: Hove ♦ Swindon
Friday: Romford ♦ Sunderland