Greyhounds Betting: UK Festival promises seriously good racing

/ Jonathan Hobbs / 12 June 2008 / Leave a Comment

After a remarkable Cesarewitch The Racing Post's Jonathan Hobbs can't wait for the UK Festival of Racing.

You have to agree that Lenson Joker was pretty impressive in the Cesarewitch final at Oxford - a remarkable win given his terrible injury at Romford last year. The dog now runs with three toes on his back foot. It doesn't stop him, clearly.

This raises the prospect of some seriously good racing in Sunderland's upcoming UK Festival of Racing with the £20,000 Grand Prix the target for Tony Collett's dog, while long-term the St Leger is the plan after he ran second there last year.

As for those in behind, Primitive Way ran a great credit, although connections must be cursing their dog's poor trapping. He also seems to take an age to wind it up, but Wimbledon will suit David Pruhs's big-striding runner much more than Oxford.
Shadayid looks a hot prospect indeed judged on his performance in a supporting puppy open. His pace down the far side was tremendous after a troubled run to the bend, and round it. He was full value for the win over a good dog in Killacolla Fox.

The winner is very much one to follow, as is the sprint winner Boherduff Monti, who would not have looked out of pace in the Scurry Gold Cup after a fluent Oxford win. Connections might now step him up, mind - the Yarmouth Derby perhaps?

Ballymac Rita underlined the promise of recent runs and was imperious in the 595m event, and you have to think the Cesarewitch might have been an alternative to the bitches-only Brighton Belle. Back over six bends from now on.

Positive Step proved those who took the fancy prices in the Pall Mall final earlier this year (myself included!) were not that far out when he waltzed home over 450m, while don't completely write off Vatican Iona after her heavy defeat in the marathon.

Take nothing away from Vieris Surprise, she was terrific and heads for the TV Trophy at Doncaster in good heart - she is a tough bitch to pass in front. But Vatican Iona for some reason dropped herself out before staying on again, and was in front at the pick-up. Keep faith with her.

Aero Blackjack would be fancied to improve for his first look at Oxford in the future and remains in good heart. He struggled with the bends it seemed, although the winner Cuil Magic is on fire and won well. But the dog to take out of the race was Sherries Boy. He has struggled to dominate races of late, but will be back winning very soon after he made up a lot of ground to finish just behind the front two.

Chill Out Lad took his chance against the fence in grand style in the opening TV race, but the eye-catcher here might just be DROOPYS HAREWOOD. Lightly-raced, this well-bred sort powered up the home-straight and could win an open or two.