Monmore Roundup, OR Preview 03/04

Yes, it's true, we actually have a couple of (very decent) open races on Wednesday evening! Obviously, with the Arc coming up, there will be a stream of outside trainers coming in to have a spin round. This year, I'll be trying to keep on top of all the action by tweeting all trial results live on the Tuesday trial sessions, as well as keeping this blog up together with all the previews you need!

However, first things first, a big well done to the greyhounds that represented us at Monmore on Good Friday in the BAGS/SIS Eggstravaganza. I have been somewhat apprehensive in the build up to the competition, however I must admit I did get caught up in the day's events. Our two winners, Alarming Jacks and Gemstone Annie, ran really good races (as did all our dogs), and well done to both the Hutton and Foster camps for making the journey, as well as all the owners.

The actual points side of it did get rather confusing, as you had some tracks that were due to run most of their heats when others had already run all of there's. My overall impression of the competition is that yes, it worked OK in the end, however I think it might be worth going back to the drawing board to tweak and mould a new style of competition for the Easter. The one massive positive that came out of the day, that was to be expected really, was that the coverage on SIS was excellent. Errol 'The God Of The Mic' Blythe did his usually great job interviewing as many people as he could, which made for really interesting viewing. The Good Friday racing slot is slowly becoming greyhound racing's day to shine, alas the slot should be used to full advantage in some format like the Eggstravaganza.

Anyway, onto the two opens for Wednesday evening. The prices that I've set are merely my opinion and (most probably!) an extremely rough guide:

19:16 - The Pinpoint Recruitment Arc Trial Stakes

1) Droopys Reason - 5/2
2) Matties Mate - 6/1
3) Longwood Warrior - 5/4
4) Farloe Iceman - 5/2
5) Stockwell Cher - 33/1
6) Tyrur Willyjoe - 12/1
Percentage: 126.5%


My Pick: Longwood Warrior

A brilliant little open kicks us off on Wednesday, and I've tipped Colin Callow's Longwood Warrior to win this one. Warrior rounded off 2012 with some impressive performances at Wimbledon, proving himself to be a big derby prospect. He's started back in 2013 very slowly, taking in just a couple of sprints at Coventry, with his first 4 bend blow-out coming at Swindon last week, posting 28.64 calc. This is a cracking run, considering the dog would've needed the run.This is his first competitive run back since last year, so you've got to think that he can improve on that trial time, and come on even more for this run. I'd go so far to say that, from what I've seen of Warrior, that at full fitness he could be a potential track record breaker.

19:32 - The Pinpoint Recruitment Arc Trial Stakes

1) Tyrur Andy - 5/1
2) Taranis Rex - 2/1
3) Longwood Fantasy - 2/1
4) Sharies Miller - 9/2
5) Islas Scolari - 5/1
6) Brizzle Blue - 10/1
Percentage: 127.3%

My Pick: Taranis Rex

I'm hoping that the comeback king can do the business in this race, in the form of Kevin Hutton's Taranis Rex. He's not exactly a spring chicken anymore, however he's still running at the top of his game. He's been beaten in his last couple of A1's at Swindon, however the ground has been pretty saturated, which would never suit this lad. At the moment, the track looks fairly firm and fast, which is exactly what Rexy wants as an early pace machine. I'm thinking he can track in front of the 1 dog and get to that rail early on. The only thing that will beat him here will be stamina.

Happy Punting!

Wattsy