Greyhound News: Another great night at Doncaster

Greyhounds News / Editor / 20 November 2009 / Leave a Comment

"Capel Smiley did it well in the final. He had taken off in behind in his heat and was not the biggest surprise winner once he got competitive early doors."

The Lord talks us through the events and stories that have made the headlines in the world of greyhound racing over the last few days.

Great night at Doncaster for the Yorkshire St Leger final on Tuesday, with quality racing in smart surroundings and a knowledgeable crowd to boot. Kick on Sky's next visit, The Lord says!

Capel Smiley did it well in the final. He had taken off in behind in his heat and was not the biggest surprise winner once he got competitive early doors.
Of the big players in the final, only really Kinda Easy and the staying-on Lorrys Options ran any sort of race, but ultimately the 661m at Donny just proved beyond the Wimbledon St Leger champ.

Catching the eye on the rest of the card were Frisby Fontenblu and the puppies Ballymac Ace and Vatican Seamus.
Frisby Fontenblu ran on well behind the more experienced pair of Target Gold (ex Drumna Thistle) and Ninja Jamie. The former looks definitely wayward and needs to be caught right, as he was on Tuesday, whilst Ninja Jamie is far from the force of old.

The maiden final looked a good one. Redbrick Droopy took his chance well but Vatican Seamus, an impressive heat scorer, ran a stormer when not able to dominate. Ballymac Ace also caught the eye when inexperience likely cost him the race as he challenged the winner at the third bend only to check up.
Run Of The Hawk proved again he is capable of mixing it with the best over six bends with a thoroughly professional display in the supporting 661m, while Roman Jupiter caught the eye in this race , his first following a lay-off.

Artic Monkey and Ring Ouzel both go in the notebook for a cracking first and second over four bends. The latter could turn into an Oaks contender

Belle Vue's Northern Oaks card proved a bonus for betting shop fans and Droopys Kentucky, touted here last week, did his reputation no harm with another fluent win.
Others to catch the eye from Manchester include Droopys Simon, who stayed on behind Droopys Kentucky; Hesley Dingo and Head Iton Toby, first and third over 590m, but both of whom may even excel over more of a test; Bower Surfer and Vatican Crieff, first and second over 670m, and Little Flame, who was a shade unlucky in the Northern Oaks final.

Romford kicks off its Essex Vase tonight, and was also part of the open-race stage earlier in the week.

Its maiden heats on Monday proved again a resurgence in trainer Paul Young's fortunes, his kennel is definitely worth watching just now. From the heats, the draw points to Do It Blackie, who looked desperate for the rails and now has them.

Nottingham the same night also provided the goods with the Eclipse heats and a couple of supporting sprints.

The Lord's fans will have been sweet on column ever-presents Blood Of Kings and Target Brett, while from the Eclipse the likes of speedy Uncle Ollie, Lenson Bolt and Farloe Razl, who was making his comeback, ran with credit.
Win or lose in the Eclipse semis at the weekend, all three are worth keeping tabs with.