Greyhound Betting: Praise the Lord, and go and collect your winnings!

General / Editor / 23 February 2009 / Leave a Comment

Our open-race guru pinpointed the chances of Southern Sunset (5-1, Nottingham), Driving Up Pal (6-1, Swindon) and Ballymac Sophie (3-1, Crayford) in recent columns so this week's look at the circuit rates a must-read for open-race fans.

Where better to start than Thursday's TV races at Swindon where punters generally found it tough.

Big-race winner Corrig Vieri took his chance well and he was probably the only dog in the field who would have withstood that massive back-straight challenge from Lenson Express. But credit also Mistley Colonel in third who ran a stormer in a race where he could not be dominated. He has matured into a very decent dog indeed.

The action kicked off with a bizarre effort from Illusionist. He had the race in safe-keeping after a fast start but then swung off dramatically. His first visit to Swindon really was a learning curve, or not in this instance. He ran straight on!

However, watch Dave Pruhs' dog on his next start on more familiar surroundings - he is still running well.

Droopys Bocelli was ping-a-ling in the sprint, but it was Fatboyz Ace who goes into the notebook.

Dean Childs' dog was fantastic in defeat and the winner's fast start was ultimately required. A slower exit and he would have been chinned by the ex-Irish dog.

Glittering Aries was a popular winner for Monmore trainer Kim Billingham and her partner and assistant, Charlie Lister's former head man Chris Akers, in the six-bend event. A good competition dog, he could be back on the upgrade now and is worth tracking.

A huge cheer went up when Wise Maldini looked to be holding Flying Winner in the 'marathon'. It was a good run from both in the circumstances, the track record holder beating the marathon queen dropping down in distance. But it certainly raised a few questions should connections of Flying Winner stick with a plan to defend the Regency at Hove. She could be left too much, much to do.

Cabra Boss ran another good race in defeat in the four-bend event won by Full Bloom. As was the case at Wimbledon behind Bubbly Totti, Liz McNairs's runner performed solidly behind another good winner and a slight ease in class will see him hose in.

Crayford continues to be one of the busiest tracks around just now, and the countdown to three big-race finals on Saturday should see plenty of bets struck in the meantime. Brimardon Star might just win the Golden Jacket if he improves from the semis, which he should do after a recent setback.

Sean Walsh is sitting pretty with Harlow Lad in the big one, but keep an eye on Transtown Mul - he is easier company after his Jacket elimination. He might go off the radar with that last line of form - a 16-plus lengths defeat! - but he ran a lot better than the bare form suggests.

Monmore is building up to the Midland Puppy Derby and Saturday's huge number of trial stakes were illuminating.

Kinda Free set the standard and really was impressive, but will be priced accordingly.

Droopys Abuzzi showed serious pace but suffered a mishap mid-race and backpedalled, but the heat that impressed most was Lethal Ace beating the strong Farloe Can Do. This pair are worth keeping tabs with.