Timeform Greyhound SmartPlays: Don't look past Distant Emma at Perry Barr

BALLYDOYLE STEVE (Trap 3, 13:28 Sheffield) doesn't make life easy for himself with moderate breaks from the boxes, but he arrives on the back of a string of consistent efforts over six bends and could well be ready to strike. A strong-running sort, a close look at his form highlights that his style of racing is well served to the demands of handicaps, with three of his last four victories come in this discipline. Today's contest is a race largely lacking in early-paced types and, expected to get a handy position the rails on the approach to the opening corner, he can reel in the pace-setters from halfway and maintain the gallop to come out on top.

Our second selection comes in an A6 contest lacking depth in our book and, surprisingly on the downgrade, CLASSY INCHARGE (Trap 3, 19:58 Sunderland) looks to hold major claims of adding to his tally. Not at his best latest, he had impressed previously when bolting up in this class. Expected to turn handy at the very least in the white jacket, he really should be up to accounting for this evening's rivals.

Perry Barr play host to the opening heats of the Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks and Sheffield raider DISTANT EMMA (Trap 4, 20:21 Perry Barr) can back up an impressive C&D victory last week and book her place in next week's second round. A low-mileage, progressive daughter of Droopys Sydney, she may have to play second fiddle initially to the flying early-paced Mustang Kim (Trap 6). However, Barrie Draper's bitch boasts a strong-running style and, with standout claims on the clock, she can assume control from the three-quarter point.