Racing Preview - 8th Feb

A tad earlier than planned this week. I started my new degree at the start of the month and its swamping me with essays, alas I figured I'd do this first! 


5 lots of trial stakes and a half decent 509 grace our circuit this week. Unfortunately the 685 didn't fill, bit o a shame really. Alas, hey ho, here's the preview of the meetings racing:


19:01 - The Abbey 509er


A 509 race kicks us off then, with quite an open race in front of us. I'll go through their chances trap by trap


1) Coolavanny Rock


Has some half decent Wimbledon times, including a recent 7 length romp up in 28.83. He's run the circuit before, having come to Swindon around this sort of time last year. He was involved in a Monkey competition that was eventually won by Deanridge Rage. Thus, the trip isn't an issue. One thing for me, however, is that I'd rather see him in 2 for 3. Watching his Hove run back, I feel he veers more middle. Still, he's a very lively contender for the in-form Norah Mac camp.


2) Eden Rumble


The Alma Keppie-trained Rumble ran very well on debut last week, just taking a little nudge off the 2nd, and ending up finishing second to Burwood Freddie. Watching him in trials, I didn't think he ran on all that brilliantly, not as I expected him to. However, watching him in the race last week, he certainly wants to see a 6 bend trip, and ran gallantly at the finish. He could do himself a favour here by coming away less-the-favourably and wait for the inevitable gap on the rails to open. A big player in this race.


3) Forest Ted 


'Teddy B' (as he's known in the kennel) isn't finding the line easily at the moment. He's running really well up until the running, and then fading off quite rapidly. We all know that he cn run this trip, however one has to wonder whether a 480m trial stake would've sufficed. He'll do the same here, ping out and hope to hang on. The issue as I read it is the 4 dog, who's early pace in his trial was extremely impressive.


4) Sids Dream


The Chris Allsopp trained Dream ran a sensational trial last week. What impressed me most watching the trial was his early pace to the bend. Reading the rest of his card, you wouldn't think that he would be capable, and considering the 6 in his trial banged out, you wouldn't have thought he could've led at the bend. Alas, he seems to have taken a quick likening to the Abbey circuit. Again the choice of 509 over 480 is perculiar, why not go for a trial stake? Anywho, a 28.61 first look should definitely put his eye in in this race, as I can see him pinging and going way quite comfortably.


5) Silverton Blaze


This 509 trip is probably the wisest choice of trip for Blaze at the moment (though there were plenty of 6 bend races knocking about this week elsewhere!). I thought he ran reasonably well in the 480 last week, but the trip is just too short for him. The same really applies here, he does need further. However, he's capable of a very fast break and if you catch him on a good day, I reckon he would dip under 29.90 for this trip. A very good dog, but not one that would have my money.


6) Burwood Freddie


Well the old boy certainly made me look foolish for doubting him last week, coming up with the goods in the 509 last week. He has a particular liking for Swindon, so you should never really discount him from your selections. He seems to be able to do it both ways, both pinging and leading all the way, or coming back up the pack to win. Whatever happens, he'll be there or there abouts


My Pick: 4-2-3 


19:32 - The Ladbrokes Mobile Arc Trial Stakes


I must say the weakest of the trial stakes on offer, however not without its headaches in picking a selection. It is a very good race in terms of a betting market. In fact, its probably the best race in terms of trap draws on the card!


1) Kilo


I think the comment for his last race should be changed really. It should read: 'Rls,JmpWell4,RanOn'. He had to practically hurdle a dog round the last bend! The line doesn't do him much justice, as I think he could've gained a bit of ground on Coolavanny Jane (not saying the dog would win, however). Again, 480m is too short for this dog. I think he should be seeing 575 Romford, 550 Henlow, that sort of trip. Alas, hey ho. Expect him to possibly pace up, but I don't see him winning this race.


2) Musical Hijack


Mal Cumner's runner comes to Swindon on the back of some graded form at Sittingbourne, which I'll be honest doesn't read the best to me. He's got a kick of early pace, but times such as 29.22 aren't particularly quick round there. Double digit price here.


3) Swift Tilly


She's a nuisance of a bitch is Tilly. I'm just waiting for that 28.95 run comes to her again! She is more than capable in this race, its just a matter of when she'll pop out and make the race her own. She's much more suited to a further distance, and again could possibly do with seeing a couple of other tracks. The draw doesn't seem to be much of an issue either. Definitely one to watch.


4) World Charm


Alfie! Again, its the same story with him really. If he pops out, he can win rather comfortably. If he's lying around 3rd or 4th out of the 2nd bend, he's a definite danger. I think he can win this race to be truthful, and I would expect a price of around 7/2.


5) Aghaburren Paddy


Paddy is spinning round after some rather terrific runs around Poole. It puts the past blogs into perspective when it comes to Poole form. The very good dogs nowadays are doing the 26.60 odd runs round there, rather than just breaking that 27.00 barrier. Well, Paddy has managed two consecutive big runs round there, which certainly should translate well here. The lack of a trial is an issue as ever, however I feel he's drawn well. he'll be a big player in this race, but will need the look.


6) Glenside Pearl 


Pearl is becoming some-what of a suprise package round Swindon recently. I don't think shes run a particularly poor race since her ill-fated experience over 6 bends. I don't think shes exactly a competition-winning bitch, but she's certainly capable of winning her fair share of open races, and this race is no exception. She'll be there or there abouts


My Pick: 4-5-6


19:48 - The Ladbrokes Mobile Arc Trial Stakes


Easiest race on the card for me. See if you can guess by my comments who wins?


1) Seneca


I fear the old boys got alot to do in this race. He ran a very credible race last time ot (like I thought he would!) but this race is a slightly more difficult challenge I feel. He's drawn well, but there's a ton of early in the race, with the early pace, I feel, being capable of drawing quite clear of him. 


2) Loyal Legacy


My NB of the night. The two recent runs round Nottingham are very credible, and the formline that catches my eye is leading Jordansoilutions to the line back in December. Hard to put a price on him however, but I think he'll enjoy the track. Join the queue and lump on!


3) Cleveland Lois


I must admit I feel that the two Dodd dogs have been put in the wrong 'division' of trial Stakes, as the 'Paddy' dog in the last race is much better than this dog, and Lois is arguably the poorer of the two. Nothing really stands out on the page about this dog. Swerve.


4) Corduff Star


First off, hats off in making the trip all the way down from Kinsley! Star has some decent lines round his local track, including an impressive 27.60 time in a graded race (admittedly not the strongest grade of dog ever). He has some impressive Irish form also. He'll place well here.


5) Omega Mick


The Poole runner comes back to the track after a graded campaign round Poole. He's certainly a pretty good dog, and is more than capable over this trip, but again could do with a tad further. 509 I think? A contender at around 6/1.


6) Ballycowen Dave


I was rather optimistic about this dog after his trials, however I feel that it would've made more sense for him to see a couple of graded races before being plunged in at the deep end. There's no doubt that he is a classy dog, and the penny will drop at some point, but he needs more experience in a race environment.


My Pick: 2-4-5 NB


20:04 - The Ladbrokes Mobile Arc Trial Stakes


We're slowly creeping through the divisions! Again, I think something has been amiss here. Quite simply Longwood Days is too good for these.


1) Maasai Spirit


The Alison Ingram trained dog recently trialled round in a respectable first look time, and certainly showed some good early to the bend. The 24.21 at Romford is certainly decent enough, however I feel he could come good around a gallop like Swindon. I reckon he could ru a big race.


2) Farloe Orion


To me the best drawn dog in the race. Orion is certainly classy enough, and he can post some very respectable times. He'll be wanting to show a slight flash of early here to go round with trap 3. Trap 2, for me, is his trap.


3) Broadstrand Bill


A semi finalist last year (I believe?!) has got plenty of wins under his belt in graded company at Wimbledon. However, I don't think he's up to this task. The times round the 'Don aren't anything particularly special. Again, its a case that nothing really leaps off the page.


4) Longwood Days


The winner of the Sussex Cup, and a consistant 29.50 dog round Hove, should really be in a higher division of these trial stakes. His recent race form round Belle Vue and Newcastle might not read very well, however, in the case of Belle Vue, the track just wouldn't suit. He's recently been trialling back in at Monmore, posting 28.51 and 28.47 trial times. I recommend you taking any + price about this dog. My NAP.


5) Mays Gold


The first of the Corrin Price's runners is a rather handy dog. Certainly, the 28.22 OR winning time back in December is pretty awesome, and he's recently won an open at Nottingham. He can certainly track down Day's in trap 4!


6) Mercurial Star


Sammy arguably needed the run last time out, and rather blew up coming off of the last bend. Mercurial of old would've seen off the competition in that race hands down. He'll come good in a couple of runs time. Remember, before last week, he hadn't raced since November. He's a player against Longwood Days.


My Pick: 4-6-5


20:19 - The Ladbrokes Mobile Arc Trial Stakes


This is a very perculiar make up of a race, as one particular seeding mucks the race right up in my opinion.


1) Coom Bullet


A very classy greyhound, however seeded wrong. He ran definite middle last time out, so why he is seeded rails is once again a myth. The worst part is that he's drawn red. He really doesn't want to be so close to the rail. Ideally, he could've drawn 3 in this race, alas thats draws for you. He's still a good greyhound, and could make them run in this.


2) Fiddlers Green


Green won here last time in the 480, in what was a rather weak time. 10/1 just shows what realistically his chances were. He's been thrown in at the deep end this time in terms of the division, and he's once again a 10/1 chance.


3) Glenbane Air


Air made a very good debut for the Hutton clan last week, and he can follow up here with another win in this race. There's a 28.60 ready to come from this dog come Wednesday night. I've got a funny feeling this dog could be a very big player in The Arc. 


4) Sable Blitz


Again, trialled on last Saturday. Once again nothing really leaps off the page for me in terms of form. You can argue that the 24.35 is really the best relative time he's got on the card. I don't think he can quite cut it in this race. Avoid.


5) Bit View Micko


Now this is a rather useful dog. He has some impressive trials round Perry Barr (28.32) and at Monmore (28.52), and has recent winning form round Perry Barr and Nottingham (I believe the last run at Nottingham was some sort of 2 round comp thing, not 100%). Miss Price's runner is definitely a contender in this race.


6) Trevi You Go


Mr. Simmonds' runner actually won here last year on Sky night, impressively winning the Puppy 480m race after coming in as a reserve (12/1 aswell, I believe. Talk about a good memory!) He's got some good times on this card, including a 26.42 round Harlow (I think that's good, to be honest I need to research the track!) and a 24.18 at Romford (beating Slick Citi). He's the widest of wide runners, so 6 is ideal, and as the sole wide runner in the race, should get a pretty clean ride of it.


My Pick: 3-5-6


20:36 - The Ladbrokes Mobile Arc Trial Stakes


The most difficult race of the night to crack. Expect a good market.


1) Daughter Of Peg


The Chris Allsopp trained bitch has some pretty classy form at all sorts of tracks, with her taking a particular liking to her home track Monmore. One thing that slightly concens me about her, however, is that she has had rather alot of running. She's only 3 years old, however I've followed her career right from debut and she's had alot of racing. Alas, she has bundles of early pace, however leading Ding to the bend could be an issue. Red is her trap.


2) Ding Hero


Alas, I think last week finally proved that he's the dog most thought he was. After watching his first trial, I had him in the notebook as 'One To Watch'. He delivered last week, with an electric 2.32 split and a great 28.74 winning time. He's capable of winning a Group 1, no quiestion. However, he'll need to keep himself foot perfect at the lids, as more of the same last week will have him winning when it matters. Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!


3) Swan Storm


The 3rd of Miss Price's runners here relies on a quick beak for his racing, howefer in the race I think he'd be better off not. By the looks of things he needs the red draw, and getting onto that rail wont be easy with Peg and Ding in the way. Certainly fast enough to win, but the draw is an issue.


4) Hugo You Go


The other Simmonds dog running on Weds has some fab form over Romford's 575m tri. Narrowly missing out on a finalist spot in the Coronation Cup, Hugo looks to be a very big contender in this race. He's able to break well over these 4 bend trips, and looking at the trial time at Harlow, 1) It makes my earlier comment about Harlow times void, and 2) he's a bloomin fast dog!


5) Sawpit Sensation


Half brother to Hugo You Go, Sensation has some very good form around Nottingham and Perry Barr, including equalling the track record at his home track. The draw looks absolutely ideal for him, and he'll run a big race. Expect a battle between him and Ding.


6) Grandard Bound


The Stuart Mason trained dog has a stunning line of form around Doncaster, recording an excellent time of 29.34 for the 483m tough gallop. However since then, barring the trial around Sheffield, he hasn't really done all that much credible in terms of racing. However, Mr. Mason wouldn't do the trip down to Swindon if he didn't think he had a contender for the Arc, so be wary.


My Pick: 2-5-6


My Graded NAP/NB


NAP: Fermoy Lets Go
NB: Zeagle Zamora