The Lord's Open Dogs to Watch: A host of hounds to keep on side over the next few weeks

General / The Lord / 01 February 2010 / Leave a Comment

"Honey Trampas looks a serious player for the major competitions this year judged on a fluent win at Sheffield. Diane Henry's flyer starts well, has got good early and middle gears and stays strongly, and the Scottish Derby and Sussex Cup look obvious events for him."

Our man in the know marks your card for the Open races to come

All eyes will be on the Betfair-backed Arc final card at Swindon on Tuesday - and be sure to read The Lord's lowdown later in the week.

As for the semi-finals, the clock never lies and Westmead Osprey looks a worthy favourite, but given a draw in one expect a better run from Gilbeyhall Jake. He should finish closer to the favourite this time, and might just shake him up if coming away.

As for elsewhere over the past week, Honey Trampas looks a serious player for the major competitions this year judged on a fluent win at Sheffield.

Diane Henry's flyer starts well, has got good early and middle gears and stays strongly, and the Scottish Derby and Sussex Cup look obvious events for him.

Also at Sheffield, trainer Henry gave a debut to a newcomer in Henry Joe Booth, and he looks a very nice dog judged on a running-on second to Farrihy Champ. He definitely goes in the notebook.

Also in there from Owlerton last week goes Barracuda Flicka, who was noted making late headway over four bends. A youngster on the upgrade, more of a test distance-wise would see him win a hatful.

And while very much put in her place by Honey Trampas, Blonde Lucy showed some spark and will win a bitches race again soon, while Droopys Kentucky must be given the benefit of the doubt for his second to Stob The Lad. Jimmy Wright's dog still looks green but has great pace.

At Nottingham, Markland Marvel goes into The Lord's notebook once again.
Paul Sallis's dog chased home regular winner and good benchmark Droopys Taffy last week, but was not disgraced in behind having been chopped for room on a couple of occasions. He will go in again soon.

Kennelmate Rock It Jazz was no match for Futurity Cup winner Droopys Ranger on the same card, but showed real smart pace into the turn and will win races over a shorter trip.

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On Friday, Romford saw an outstanding victory in a maiden final from a son of former Sprinter of the Year, Horseshoe Ping, when Craighall Horse won heat and final gold for Jimmy Reynolds.

He even looked like his great sire after pacing up and keeping out of trouble in the heats, and then repeating the dose with a massive back-straight surge in the decider. A dog with a big stride, he looks one to watch especially after clocking 23.89sec in his heat.

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Sittingbourne has been rolling out the red carpet for open-race fans each Thursday, and punters who took the Lord's recent advice to keep tabs with Baran Colorado were rewarded.

It was a powerful back-straight surge from Matt Dartnall's dog to take him to the front past halfway and draw clear. He might have been coming back to his field late on, and might not want any further, but that middle speed was quite superb and he should keep winning.

Earlier kennelmate Glenard Rocket caught a tartar in Hill Tipoki but he, too, is coming back to himself after a recent lay-off and is worth keeping tabs with, especially when upped to six bends.