Betfair Official Blog

Poots the big winner after top night at Belle Vue

Jonathan Hobbs with the dogs to watch from the Sky action this week

Thunderstorms at Belle Vue this week could not fail to dampen the spirits as Ballymac Weeshie conjured up a storming run to claim the major Cock O'The North prize there, from a gallant Vatican Fyne.

Sam Poots's winner went into the notebooks after a storming run, not just in that close-run Regency final, but also with an imperious run on Derby final night. He remains a St Leger dog and, while I have no doubts about his stamina, am well aware he remains more of a force 'on the bunny'.

Poots had a tremendous night, with three winners from three runners. After suffering a slight setback with Barnfield On Air, withdrawn on the day of his race, his other runners took up the mantle in some style and both Shadayid and Barnfield Loreto remain real talents.

Shadayid has pace to burn and went close to the clock after a missed break, while Barnfield Loreto really is shaping as a potential staying star. Frisby Foxwatch had gone into the notebook after Doncaster, so to reel that dog in over 590m was an impressive run and he is beginning to realise his potential.

Elsewhere on the night, Moyar Queen has a win in a similar contest in her after her third place in the second division of the bitches' race. It was staged in awful conditions and she missed the break completely, giving lengths away before staying on with purpose behind Maltese Force and Barra Biscuit.

Unique Prince won at Doncaster in style and, if anything, was more impressive at Belle Vue. He outbattled the likes of strong-running Swift Pawnee and Westmead Debbie and Laurence Tuffin had unearthed a nice six-bend type in this young dog, who has just turned two years of age.

Others for the notebook include East County of Scottish trainer Stan Collins. He lost nothing in defeat behind Barnfield Loreto, while both Slick Swainy and Rough Mourinho cut a dash when first and second over 470m. The former is three from three here now and looks possibly Keith Allsopp's best dog yet.

The Sussex Cup at Hove is just around the corner and Thursday's batch of trial stakes saw Shaneboy Luke do this column a favour against Barnfield Slippy.

He was a decent-priced winner and full value for it.

No doubt the runner-up will improve for the look but Liz McNair has a nice team of dogs at present, Shaneboy Luke, Droopys Well and recent ex-Irish intake Clover Royall.

Having only his second start here, he went off favourite but did not get the clearest of runs and was beaten by a back-on-song Full Bloom. But the runner-up did a lot of running, as got plenty of speed and is worth noting when the main event gets under way.

Hove usually run a batch of competitions surrounding the Sussex Cup and any bitches stake - or even puppy event - could see a bold show from Rich Georgina.

Wayne Wrighting's bitch was beaten by the strong-running Xamax Deb on Thursday but that defeat can largely be put down to a trap four draw. Oppose her if she gets the white or black jacket, but the orange or the black and white of six and she is lengths better.

Analyse remains the country's leading six-bend hurdler by a street, but 515m at Hove still plays to his strengths, although come the hurdles competition at Hove you do wonder where something will get away from him.

Dangerous Lady continues to frank the form of her Northern Oaks triumph at Belle Vue. Dave Mullins' bitch produced a storming run to finish second in a bitches' race at Hove and should play a part in the bitches' stake.