So, another round of open racing graces the Blunsdon stage tomorrow, which includes the start of the trial stakes for the 'Swindon Arc' (advertised as such due to the lack of knowledge of a sponsor I presume). Alas, we have plenty of foreigner's visiting our shores tomorrow, so here's my thoughts on the races:
19:01 - The Blunsdon 509er
A 509 kicks us off then, and a pretty competitive one at that. All eyes I should think will be on Coolavanny Jane in trap 4. Kelly Findlay's charge has some pretty respectable form round Henlow and Romford. If you're looking to strike comparisons in form between tracks, a good indication is Henlow 550 form, as it stacks well against the 509 trip. Bangcrashwallop, trained by Heather Dimmock at Peterborough, has some pretty flying times in trials round there, having last time out flown round in 25.14.
The local representative is Swift Tilly, who isn't really firing in previous outings. What isn't going to help her cause is Kilo in the red, as I've always had him down at more a 2/3 dog, so expect some early scrimmaging. Trap 5 is Jumeirah Dilemma, who looks more of a 6 bend dog on his card, will be outpaced early. Mullpark Nelson has the one win at Notts, a pretty decent 29.25, however will have to work hard on the wide berth. One major thing to note is the lack of track knowledge in this race, with only Traps 1 and 2 having seen the circuit.
I still believe that Coolavanny Jane is a class above here, and providing a clear run into the bend, and being able to clear the trouble on the rail, should see these home from a running on trap 5
My Pick: 4-5-2
19:32 - The Blunsdon Stayers
Just a quick note here, I believe this race had to be withdrawn due to the incorrect seeding of Head Iton Granty. The draw is now as follows:
1) Manic Fantasy
2) Bigwood Honey
3) Jurisdiction
4) Shirty Gerty (M)
5) Head Iton Granty (W)
6) Silverton Blaze (W)
On this draw, you have to think that the race is between the two wide seeds. The Head Iton dog has some sparkling times on his card, and some good lines on his card behind, and sometimes infront, of Marathon OTY winner Capoley Ash. The trial time at Henlow certainly looks good for a stayer.
Local star Silverton Blaze looks to have the best of the draw, and providing a good break that he seems to have got the knack of in recent races, should see off the challenge. I highly rate Blaze, and feel that given the opportunity to compete in more 'Open' races (perhaps seeing different tracks) could turn him into a competition greyhound. However, to get to that level, he has to keep to his task, as he's capable of 'form dips'.
Shirty Gerty has form over the trip, aswell as getting to a Group 2 final at Harlow over their stayers trip last year. Expect a late charge from her. Jurisdiction (as I write, I believe a relation to a certain new superstar Portavoe Lass?) doesn't seem to have particularly good lines, and will be a big price in this race.
Bigwood Honey has form over shorter trips than this, however is more than capable of competing over 685. She doesn't ever seem to have the best of luck in races, and is another that can either post a flash time or not really do anything. Manic Fantasy in the red has a very good line at Monmore, however the time, to be fair, isn't hugely flashy. Saying that, she has early, so expect her to be a contender early on.
My Pick: 6-5-1
20:04 - The Swindon Arc Trial Stakes
A pretty difficult race this, all greyhounds have their merits, however I'd be siding with Forest Dot. Still basically a baby, the formline behind Taylors Cruise at Hall Green is a fab line to be going into a race with, and looks to be a contender here. Trap 3 could be of hinderstand, saying that she won last time out at Hove out of 3 in a cracking time for the trip (475 Hove)
As for the local hopefuls here, well there isn't that much to say about their form as it reads on the card. Hernandez, trained by Chris Stringer, has some stunning Irish Form, including track records and fast times galore. However, it doesn't really seem to have ticked over here quite yet. I'd want to be seeing the flash of early that he had over in Ireland translated over here, and he's not winning it at the first bend like he should be. The 27.88 trial round Henlow isn't the worst time in the world, however it certainly isn't Arc winning. However, there is improvement to come here.
Seek the Cash, trained by Matty Dartnell, has some pretty flashy trials round Swindon, and I believe comes to the track on the back of a graded career round Oxford? The trial form is certainly good, especially for me the last line, as the back straight pace this greyhound showed was truely fab.
As for notes about the others, Killacolla Eagle has some terrific form at Poole at the start of his career, however he's certainly dwindled. Saying that, the look round last time will be of benefit. Ballymac Alver, also coming from sister track Poole, has open wins at Hove (all beit in very average times), and is certainly more than capable of improving. I would ignore the last line of form, that trial time simply doesn't add up, he's a 29.00 at the moment, with the scope for improvement. Lordsbury Mayo, trained by Jane Houfton, has form round Notts, and I believe competed in the first round of the Produce Stakes last year when under Gemma Davidson's wing. I don't think he can cut it in this race.
My Pick: 3-6-2
20:19 - The Swindon Arc Trial Stakes
The second of our trial stakes is certainly an easier affair in terms of picking a winner. Kingsmill Super, trained by Kelly Findlay, is a much much better dog than the form reads, and for me is the fastest dog on the card, hands down. The good thing about him is that he can win a race both ways, from pinging out and leading all the way to coming from behind. I'm expecting a big run from him.
The local Ardmayle Player has some decent form now in A2/A1 grade, and is just coming out of puppy stage into the all aged league. He has a big future ahead of him, and if his brother Ardmayle Driver is anything to go by, expect big.
Ballycowen Dave has some tidy trials round Swindon, however this is a big step up in class for him. A good test for him first time up, and I get the feeling he'll run a big race.
As for the rails, its all a bit of a mess really. The draw hasn't been helpful to any of the 3 greyhounds. Grading this race, you'd have Tinas Zodiac in 1, Fiddlers Green in 2 and Farloe Orion in 3, alas that's open racing. Orion will be moving off at the bend, which I should think will cause problems more so for the 3, as Fiddlers tends to fluff the lids, but storms home.
My Pick: 5-4-1 (NAP)
20:52 - The Swindon January Monkey 509er Final
Again, actually quite a tough final to decipher. Initially, you're looking at Head Iton Haysey and thinking that, realistically, he's the fastest dog in the race. Having said that, his performance last week didn't impress me as much as it should've. Now, you can put that down to the lack of a trial etc, however I certainly wouldn't have wanted to have been backing him at 4/6 last week. Saying that, the draw seems to have worked in his favour slightly, though he's not strictly railer, and I think should go close here.
Glenside Pearl is currently on a 4 race unbeaten streak, and this trip suits her down to the ground. She ran over 685, and it was obvious she doesn't stay, however she certainly needs the longer 480, so trips like this 509m, aswell as Hove 515m and Nottsm 500 will suit. I think that this race will be between her and the 1 dog, and with the 1 dogs reputation, it could mean that you get a half decent price about Pearl.
World Charm could be a big player in this race aswell. He's been 'on the go' for quite a while now, and has quite a few races under his belt (aswell as a fair few wins!), and is capable of sometimes popping the lids. He's a funny dog, in that he can go an age not trapping, then all of a sudden he'll post a sub 2.40 split and romp up. Trapping isn't really his game however,and again this trip is ideal for him. From trap 2, I felt last week he kept to his lane fairly well, not veering to the absolute middle that much, so don't let the draw put you off.
Forest Ted is capable of better than last weeks run, and can never be disregarded easily. Not going on when being challenged by Titanium King was a bit irritating watching back the heats, as you know he is more than capable over the trip and shouldn't have really been passed by King, who, it has to be said, is a double-figure price in this race aswell. Holdem Angel will benefit from the look round last time, however it has to be said he is more of a stayer, and should be going over further trips.
My Pick: 5-1-2
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