The Lord's Dogs Column: Plenty for Seamus Cahill to look forward to

Greyhounds News / Editor / 26 October 2009 / Leave a Comment

Seamus Cahill will be pleased with the progress of Sparklee Bernie who has returned from a two month injury lay-off.

"The other Sussex 'stunnas' were winners Hill Tipoki, who looked ripe after a recent lay-off and will be ready to step up in trip to hold her own in decent company, and Sparklee Bernie, who looks a different dog after a two-month lay-off and can be winning more races now for in-form Seamus Cahill."

All the latest goings-on in the world of greyhound racing.

We were right to headline Baran Pimlico in this column a few weeks ago and, while he might have been beaten in Sunday's big puppy final at Hove, he lost nothing in defeat.

In fact, more than that, this dog is a champion!

Given that Ballymac Well and Loyal Rebel are good puppy barometers, the fact that he cut down these from a ten lengths start to almost nothing at the line suggests only one thing, that Matt Dartnall's dog can be the next superstar.

True, those of a negative slant will highlight a lack of early dash, but Hove is not the easiest tracks to run when you are in behind. The dogs tend to get strung out and the track itself is surprisingly narrow down the back, so to conjure up the run he did was top-class.

Time will tell whether six bends brings out the best in this dog, and no doubt he will flourish over it, but don't be surprised to see him pull off a decent four-bend prize as well. What price is he for the Derby? (Okay, calm down Lordy! Ed).

The rest of the Hove card produced a couple of other fair efforts, not least superstar sprinter Jimmy Lollie in the sprint, but one who might have slipped under the radar is Ardbeg Mentor, who chased Jimmy Lollie and Ballymac Pines home.

Ken Tester's dog has been in with the best over two bends at Hove, but is really relatively lightly-raced. He looks an improving sort now and more Hove successes, as well as 'away' wins, are his for the taking.

The other Sussex 'stunnas' were winners Hill Tipoki, who looked ripe after a recent lay-off and will be ready to step up in trip to hold her own in decent company, and Sparklee Bernie, who looks a different dog after a two-month lay-off and can be winning more races now for in-form Seamus Cahill.

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Romford continues to lead the way in number of open races staged and Friday's regular offering proved top quality again, topped off by a track-record run from Rotar Wing over two bends.

But one of the four-bend races produced a surefire winner-in-waiting in Solway View.

Behind the very much in-form Me Buddy, it should be noted that Maxine Locke's dog went to the bend almost in line with the winner and another speedster in Bandit Blue. In fact, the trio all clocked 3.63 sectionals and it was just Solway View's trap six draw that might have counted against him. Back him next time.

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Monmore's card on Saturday had The Lord's fans raising the roof with Stoneyholme Vito storming in after a reverse (when a big price, admittedly) at Hove.
But the card did tell us that Centaur Allstar could be in line for a major finish to the year.

The Scurry winner could be rivalling the likes of Rotar Wing, Jimmy Lollie and kennelmate Officer Donagh for the Sprinter of the Year title and looked very much 'on the mettle' in winning in a fast time over two bends.

The Nottingham National Sprint winner?