The Pin Point Recruitment Arc Final Night: Preview

So here we are, folks. After a couple of weeks of some really good racing (and a few incidents!), we've made it to the big final. A note to anyone new to the new Sky production; the program is now available to view in most major bookmakers, aswell as Sky Sports. There's no excuse to miss it! A couple of things first however;

The Card 

I'll be the first one to admit, this certainly isn't the classiest Sky card put together. Not to be detrimental to the owners, trainers and dogs involved. There just doesn't really seem to be anything that leaps off the page. If anything, it's the last two races before the big final that are the best affairs. However, this wasn't the fault of anyone in particular. I can tell you now that the puppy open only had two entries, the sprint had seven, and the stayers had the exact six. In an era where the argument for run money and prize money in general to be increased, and as such the response is to have the Sky races at £500 win, £100 others, the argument that 'prize money sells' clearly doesn't work. What is the answer to filling open races? I don't know. I certainly think that Swindon's location is now actually detrimental, whereas once it was prime estate! With the loss of Oxford, Reading and Milton Keynes, the nearest tracks are now up in the midlands, where there are tracks on the doorstep (Coventry, Nottingham, Sheffield) running regular opens for decent money. I do think that promoters (not just Swindon) have to think 'outside the box' to make the idea of open racing truly 'open' again. Make it worth the trainer's traveling. Even things such as a table for four in the restaurant (over a meal voucher), would go a long way.

One big positive to come out of the card, having had a really good look today, is that there are some great opportunities for our local trainers to be involved in some nice race wins, and get their gorgeous mug's all over the Sky cameras! What the card may be lacking in sheer quality, actually looks very competitive, so hopefully we have some decent finishes (and some decent price winners!)

'The Longwood Warrior Incident'

Yes, I've actually named the whole episode now! The one thing that, if anything has slightly grated at me during the competition, is that some very good performances by greyhounds have been overshadowed by one particular greyhound's 'antics'. I've already told you my position on last week's antics, with last Friday putting the whole debate into a completely different mind frame.

I think you've got to bare in mind, that if you run the two races where Warrior has been a bit 'Ali-esque', they're completely different races. In the first round, Warrior had the worst ride round the track ever, having to check in and out more times than an air hostess, before clammering for the rails on the run in. This week, however, I do actually think he was worse.

Before the look of shock truly sets in, let me set the scene. Last Friday, Jolly Bullseye was in auto-pilot around the 3rd and 4th bends. Admittedly, he does struggle a tad to get the Swindon 480m, however I don't think there was much doubt that he should have won the race. Warrior has ridden a great first and second bend, and is 2nd down the back. The pace he's shown to get to Bullseye is just phenomenal. However, once he's got to him, rather than cruising by, he's slammed on the brakes. Again though, he hasn't made contact, thus it doesn't warrant a DQ, but if I were his owner I'd be more naffed off about his last run than the one before, as he had every right to go past Bullseye and win comfortably. 

Pin Point Recruitment Arc Final Night Preview

So, here's a preview of all the Sky races, and the big final. Anyone following this blog will see that I actually tipped up Shaneboy Alley and Screen Critic each way, aswell as Bullseye to win. All three are in the final, so hopefully you've all got your tickets to hand!

Prices are only my opinions, and don't reflect actual prices anywhere.

19:34 - Bitches Standard
My Pick: Butts Mott

Butts Mott - 4/1
Forest Mollie - 4/1
Sharies Miller - 2/1F
Forest Dot - 6/1
Special Release - 6/1
Tarty Toes - 10/1 

A six railer race is never going to be the prettiest of affairs! The other problem aswell, is that everyone (barring Sharies in my opinion), actually really wants trap 1, so the only realistic vision on this race is the potential argy-bargy to the bend. I've gone for Butts Mott here on the ideal draw on the fence, and with her early pace I see her leading up Forest Mollie. Sharies Miller I see going off as favourite, however she's got Forest Dot on her outside who will be straight on her case. If anything, I see Sharies acting as a barrier for Mott to get round. 

19:49 - Sprint
My Pick: Guinness Sky

Forest Bracken - 4/1
Lord Save Us - 8/1
Guinness Sky - 9/4F  
Newinn Daddy - 4/1
Vindepa (Res) - 10/1
Chester Lad - 5/2

This is actually a really decent little race, with my pick narrowly going for (who I predict to be favourite) Guinness Sky. I'm a regular viewer of Hove and Coventry, and I have a good idea of how Sky and Lad run their races. To be, Lad is very hit and miss at the boxes, which obviously in a sprint is the key. However, on the bunny he's pretty fast! I've gone for Sky due to his consistant trapping ability, and his pace is superb, with a quick 16.28 Hove run on his card. 

Just a heads up to anyone playing the races at Swindon on Wednesday, do remember that the traps at Swindon are very different to what most of these greyhounds are used to. We use the roll-on curved front boxes, whereas most greyhounds are used to the flat-fronted hydraulics. This means that some could miss the kick!

20:04 - 509er (Division B)
My Pick: Stress Force

Ardkill Star - 6/1
Matties Mate - 4/1
Headleys Charley - 4/1
Gemstone Jack - 5/2J
Stress Force - 5/2J
Crusty Crab - 4/1

A highly competitive race this one, with my vote going for Carol Grasso's Stress Force. Again, as a viewer of RPGTV, I've been able to see Force on several occasions. It's safe to say that, when he's on the bunny, not alot will catch him! His times of 27.47 Henlow are lightning, and should see him in good stead here. There isn't a great deal of early pace in the race, so as long as he adapts to the track and traps, he should make all. Keep an eye out for Gemstone Jack and Matties Mate, who to me make up the forecast and tricast links in the race.

20:19 - Stayers
My Pick: Silbury Campion

Silbury Campion - 5/2
Stunning Rusty - 4/1
Airforce Harlem - 25/1
Ding Hero - 5/4F
Redhot Agent - 20/1
Navarone - 5/1

Again, another six railer affair here, and for that reason I've got to side with the red, Silbury Campion. Alan McDowell's runner is well housed here, and actually has the early pace to lead up the 2 dog on his outside. The outside runners in this one haven't had a look round, which for me is a massive issue, and could cause potential traffic problems for Ding Hero, housed in trap 4. He's the class hound of the race for sure, it's a case of whether he can escape any trouble. Do remember, it's a relatively short run to the bend over this trip, meaning that they haven't got a lot of time to sort themselves out going round the bend at full pace.

20:34 - Standard
My Pick: Scolari Express (NAP)

Scolari Express - 2/1F
Farloe Iceman - 4/1
Taranis Rex - 3/1
Bit View Micko - 6/1
Tyrur Willyjoe - 6/1
Ardmayle Player - 5/1

A classy affair this one, with Paul Sallis' Scolari Express getting my vote here. Running on debut for Paul, he's graded on with some really quick runs at Monmore, followed up with a brilliant sprint trial on Friday at Swindon. He really looked at home at the track. His Irish card is rather superb, and the draw on the fence should see him win this in style. This is a potential 'Derby-ticket greyhound'! 

20:49 - Super Stayers
My Pick - Ballymac Swift

Gemstone Billy (Res) - 4/1
Aero Rebel - 2/1
Ballymac Swift - 4/5F
Fatice Cream - 25/1
Killishin Velvet - 33/1
Culleen Catch - 12/1

Ballymac Swift, trained by John Mullins, is definitely the class act in this race. She broke the track record at Coventry on Sunday over their marathon trip, and she does seem to be running out of her skin at the moment. She has got some brilliant early pace for a marathon bitch, which puts her in good stead for this race, as she has the make up to lead and make all. She's a classy bitch, the only issue being that she will be very short in the market!

21:04 - 509er (Division A)
My Pick: Airlie Impact

Longwood Fantasy - 3/1
Ballymac Cryan - 7/2
Slippery Patch - 5/1
Tyrur Andy - 8/1
Sawpit Sensation - 4/1
Airlie Impact - 2/1F

This is a belter of a race to lead us into the big final, with my vote going for the Paul Young-trained greyhound Airlie Impact. Impact didn't run the best race in the world when he ran in the opening round of the Arc. Don't be too dis-heartened by that run, as the 480m wouldn't have really suited him, as he likes a long run up to the bend. He ran a stormer last week at Hove, clocking 29.69, and that run should put him in good stead here. To be fair, a case can be made for everyone in this race.

21:19 - THE PINPOINT RECRUITMENT ARC FINAL
My Pick: Longwood Warrior (NB)

Longwood Warrior - 6/1
Longwood Bound - 4/1
Jolly Bullseye - 5/2
Droopys Reason - 6/1
Screen Critic - 8/1
Shaneboy Alley - 7/4F

Now, I'm just going to hold my 'flame shield' up while I write this, as half of you probably think I'm bonkers! When the draw was made, as soon as the Longwood's were drawn as they are, I called Warrior the winner there and then. 

The way I've read the race is that, 1) Warrior has been dying for the rails all competition. He now has that draw, and he should make use of it. 2) Longwood Bound in trap two makes the draw perfect for him. To me, as I've said before, Bound is a dead middle runner, and should be seeded as such IMO. However, here I feel he'll act as a barrier for Warrior on the run up. He can trap, and he has the early pace to cause Bullseye some traffic problems (apologise, I don't envisage Bullseye winning this!). With Droopys Reason wanting to come inside, aswell as Shaneboy Alley potentially cutting the corner, it could be game on off the second if Warrior is there. I have seen him, back last year, ping and make all, so he has the head to trap and make all. I do honestly think that, if everything goes right for him, he has the potential to break the clock.

Having said all that, in all honesty if Shaneboy Alley traps like he did last time, it's probably game over at the bend. However, if Warrior's handy, all eyes will be on what happens coming home!

The main thing is that all runners have a good journey round. Best of luck to all the greyhounds, owners and trainers. I hope you have a great night!

Happy Punting!

Wattsy,