The first round of the Betfred Steel City Cup takes place at Sheffield this evening (7.53-9.18). It looks a wide open contest with at least eight runners with serious chances of taking the £7,500 first prize on September 6.
Heat 1 The widely exposed Calco Flyer (T3) as the market leader at 5-2 (Bet 365). This is a dog who never runs a bad race, has a decent draw and recent 28.81 winning form. He is opposed by youngster Fourpenny Blaze (T5) currently available at 3-1 but still inexperienced and without a race win behind him. Surely better value can be found in Pinpoint Ethan (T4) on his third UK appearance following his rename from Ballymac Boxcar. While there may be some doubts on his stamina, this is the dog who led the Race Of Champions to the home stretch and there is nothing of that calibre on show here. Lots of 9-2.
Heat 2 Maum Legend (T4) will take all the beating in the competition and this first round heat certainly doesn’t look beyond him. Now in his third season, last year’s All England Cup winner will have plenty of followers at even money or better. In terms of value though, Mad About Rioga is well worth a ‘without the favourite’ option at 11-2.
Heat 3 features another of the fancied runners Ballymac Mossjoe (T3). At his best he has 28.49 form over course and distance. While he may not be quite in that condition at the moment – recent trials suggests he may not be too far away. Anything better than evens looks value. The obvious danger is Pinpoint Den (T5) but it is hard to see how he can lead the favourite given his wide draw – and it would be astonishing if he was to come from behind him.
Heat four is the most interesting race of the night and features that great crowd pleaser Making Paper (T5) who is being touted at 2-1. We might have been tempted to take him on with Candlelight Fire (T4) but for a very ordinary performance last time out. Hopefully connections have nursed him through and he can perform. The value is probably Barricane Tiger at 11-2, but after death and taxes, you can always rely on Making Paper.
The fifth heat is not the strongest but features reigning champ Minglers Thunder (T3) but is available at 13-8 with Bet365. The 7-2 about Holdem Chico (T2) looks altogether more tempting on a track that looks as though it should suit him.
The final heat is probably the most open of the lot. The form hound Tynwald Baz (T1) has four wins from nine races and is quoted at 7-4. May well start shorter than that – well worth a consideration.
