Greyhounds Betting: Bubbly Eagle matures into real deal

General / Jonathan Hobbs / 30 January 2009 / Leave a Comment

Jonathan Hobbs is just catching his breath from a manic GBGB Annual Awards night before diving headlong into one of the most exciting events of the year, the Springbok.

My colleague, and co-host at the GBGB Awards, Darrell Williams, has spotlighted the value in the novice hurdlers championship at Wimbledon, but for what it's worth the progress of Nebuchadnezzar will be closely monitored in the event. His jumping has improved - how could it get any worse after that last-flight fall a fortnight ago?! - and he showed there was plenty in the tank when second in a trial stakes on Tuesday.

Delwood Freddie also gave the impression he will do well in the competition in his own warm-up race.

Talking of trial stakes, Swindon's first Arc trial was staged on Tuesday and, to the eye and on the clock, Shaneboy Luke ran a cracker when landing the top division doing handsprings and must have a major chance when the event kicks off.

But in terms of the eye-catchers from the midweek meeting, Bowever Hi Ace and Glynnscross Mal both ran stormers when first and third in their trial stakes. Both can turn handier in their races and ran on well enough to suggest they can figure again.

Likewise, Silverduff Jet and Vancouver Dylan. The former ran on well behind good winner Grillagh Guru, while the latter is an interesting one. The dog has real pace but lacks trackcraft. He will take off soon and will start a decent price for sure.

And while Shaneboy Luke won as he liked, the dog to take out from the race is definitely not Droopys Carvalho. Not just because he is well exposed now, it's just that his change in style of running might just make it difficult for him at Swindon during the Arc.

He has been flying at Romford and was a worthy winner of the Coronation Cup over 575m. But remember how he blazed a trail in last year's Sussex Cup at Hove. His off-the-pace style is just as effective, of course. But he could leave himself with too much to do at Swindon

No, from that particular trial stakes, keep abreast with what Alfie Sparra is doing. He matched Shaneboy Luke to the bend, indeed just shaded him before the slight middle-moving manoeuvre of the winner saw him cannon into Alfie Sparra. In the circumstances, he did well to hold Droopys Carvalho as long as he did.

Win or lose in the final at Romford [Friday], keep tabs with Bubbly Eagle. He was hugely impressive over 750m at Romford on Monday and looks a worthy rival at this stage to the likes of his likely TV Trophy opponents in the summer, Flying Winner and Midway Skipper.
The Ted Soppitt-trained runner, well known for his slow starts and strong finish last year, either ran well very by getting into the thick of things earlier, or really has matured into the real deal as those who saw him early on his career hoped.