So, the teams are in place, and tomorrow is the start of our group. Already there has been some cracking race from Belle Vue, and tonight see's Sittingbourne's home leg, with plenty of competition already. Here is my preview of tomorrow's races, being as un-biased as possible!
16:27 - BAGS Track Championship Puppies
My Pick - Aspiration - NAP
This first race, I feel, lands us a big win. Aspiration, trained by Matt Dartnall, ran a really good race last time out against and impressive Perles Minaj, and has recent good success in A2. His record for a puppy is mightly impressive. In this race, he's the only wide seed, so he should get a solo round the outside. His late pace will win him this one.
I do feel, however, there will be a total points challenge from Poole, particularly from trap 1 Droopys Bass. Jo Burridge trains this pup who has a decent record in top grade round Poole, posting a best time of 26.90 there. He looks to be a tailor made Swindon with a running on style, however the lack of a trial is a concern. Poole's other greyhound Ide Blizzard looks a progressive sort, and is ripe out of season for a good run.
To me, the Oxford dogs are a tad weak in this. The best of the two, by a mile, is Old Codger. Richard Baker gave this dog a look round last week, and you think he should come on for the run.
My Trio: 6-1-2
One point that will probably be hit home more than any in this blog is the lack of trials that the competition has. It's something that I think will affect them drastically, but is something that we must not let happen to ourselves. Trials are a must in my opinion.
16:47 - BAGS Track Championship Standard
My Pick - Droopys Harris
Obviously, a Swindon 1-2 would be ideal! However, I was really impressed with this dog after he ran in a 509m maiden a couple of weeks back. He looks a tailor made stayer really, but having a couple of looks round the track will certainly benefit. He also looks to be the best draw dog in the race, as Primo Ryan really doesn't want to be out in 3.
The way I've read the race is that Mercurial Lady will be a pace-setter here. She has oodles of early pace, and if she can charge her way to the front early it'll take a good dog to catch her. My theory is that Harris will latch on to her at the 3rd, whether he can get by however is another story!
As for the other runners, Sierra Lobo rather disappointed me in his trial round Blunsdon, and doesn't look to be of the calibre of some of the other runners. Knockman Sal, again, falls in this bracket. Glencarra Wizard ran here in an Intertrack, and was a touch disappointing. However, his recent romp up in A1 down at Poole can't be underestimated.
To me, however, Primo Ryans surge of early pace could see the adverse trapdraw become not so much of a problem. When he gets it right, he's an absolute machine. We've just got to hope that he gets it right on Friday!
My Trio: 2-5-3
17:07 - BAGS Track Championship Bitches
My Pick - Perles Minaj - NB
Minaj looks to me to be a stand out here. Ray Jones' bitch ran a stormer in her last race, powering through to beat Aspiration. Her early pace is phenomenal, and when she has the sub 2.40 trapping boots on, she'll take some beating. I think that this race is actually easier than the A1 she won last time, so realistically it should be easy pickings for her. She's also got a cracking draw, slap bang in the middle.
To be honest I think the forecast link is our Shelbourne Nat. She's capable of running on strong, and has a fairly recent 28.79 on her card. That would have normally been good enough to win this heat without Minaj in it.
I think that, of the outside entries, the best of then is the 6 dog, Droopys Yvonne. However, I must say that the competition isn't really particularly hot.
My Trio: 3-2-6
17:22 - BAGS Track Championship Sprint
My Pick - What A Disciple
Again, without having my pro-Swindon head on, I think Poole could do well in this race. Although our dogs have the best draws, I think What A Disciple looks a class act. Not quite seeing out the 450 at Poole, he trialled on here in a cracking 16.40. For a first look, thats pretty impressive. The only issue I can foresee is having the 4 middle runners. There could, potentially, be some traffic problems.
If there are traffic problems, I think Hoots Mon could pounce here. Kevin Hutton's runner was initially purchased (I should suspect looking at the Irish Card), for sprinting. In his last A1 win he cracked out in a superb 2.33 split, and then backed up those claims by winning a decent sprint trial on Tuesday. The dog should be fresh, and is arguable the best drawn.
Believe it or not, I'm actually going to include an Oxford dog in calculations this time! This is no offence to the track, it's just that I don't feel their team is particularly strong. Adamant Brian for Gilly Hepden has some sprinting form on his card, and looks to be a consistent trapper.
My Trio: 2-6-5
17:38 - BAGS Track Championship Dogs
My Pick: Ice Trooper
Ice trooper really has taken off recently, having won a couple of decent races and posting some good times. He didn't run particularly well last time out, but I reckon he can bounce back and take this race. To me it's all on the draw, and to me he gets a clear passage through the middle, with trap 4 moving right.
This is a very competitive race, however, with the 1 dog Kilara Harry looking a decent dog. Gilly Hepden's runner ran a belter of a race last time at Oxford, romping up. Although the time isn't all that brilliant, it was the way he won that impressed me. He should be one to watch here.
You have to say that Sligo Mick looks to have a cracking make up here. Again for Kevin Hutton, he's been ultra consistent in A1 company recently, and he looks an out and out points winner for Team Swindon.
My Trio: 3-1-6
17:56 - BAGS Track Championship Stayers
My Pick: Oh Pretty Woman
My head is telling me really to tip up Ardmayle Move. She's become a favourite of mine, showing all round speed over the 6 bends, running on like a steam train. The problem is that the draw is a real stinker, and she's surrounded by early pace. Realistically, I think she's classy enough to outclass the whole field, so should be there or there abouts at the end
It's on the draw alone that I side with Oh Pretty Woman. Ray Evan's charge has been a mega consistent runner for him, having won her last S2 and A2. She doesn't particularly see out the trip that well, and looks more suited to about 640m, but she gives her all in these races. My theory is that the lack of a look round for the outside runners are going to catch them out. The 685m at Swindon don't half take some getting, and I can't help but think that the outsiders have underestimated it a touch.
Me saying that, my tricast link is Impact Man in trap 5. Bill Black's runner from the south coast ran a brilliant 640 at the back end of September, posting a 39.28, a particularly fast time. He's running at top grade there, and looks as though he'll just see out the trip. He's certainly worth a look
My Trio: 6-4-5
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