The Pinpoint Recruitment Arc Trial Stakes: Preview

Good evening folks, and welcome to another page of my ramblings. This week, we are looking ahead to the Pinpoint Recruitment Arc, which starts a week Friday. I think it's fair to say that the build up has been rather slow, and we certainly haven't had the number of triallers that we had last year for the event. However, Wednesday brings us six trial stakes, giving us a sneak preview at the possible contenders for this year's £8,000 prize.

19:16 - The Pinpoint Recruitment Arc Trial Stakes
My Pick: Gemstone Jack

Price Guide:
1 - Farloe Iceman - 6/4F
2 - Fizzypop Supreme - 7/1
3 - Gemstone Jack (m) - 5/2
4 - Jacobs Courage (m) - 9/2
5 - Bodell George (w) - 16/1
6 - Guinness Wild (w) - 5/1  

We've got a fairly decent little race to start off here, and I'm rooting for one of the locals, Gemstone Jack. Jack, trained by Kevin Hutton, has some really good form since being cleared, running well in both A1's and OR's. His times are fairly good, to me enough to win the race. The key to his race will be taking advantage of the EP inside him. There will be alot of dogs going up to the bend together, and my reading of the race should having slip-streaming them round. The key danger is the other Swindon dog, Farloe Iceman, who is sure to go off favourite here. If Jack is lying in around 3rd/4th down the back-straight, expect a big run to home! For an outsider's chance, do take a good look at Jacobs Courage. The Ken Humphreys-trained greyhound, who was a finalist of the Golden Muzzle at Coventry late last year, has some good recent 2nd's behind such dogs as Jazz Apollo, so he  clearly has some gears

19:32 - The Pinpoint Recruitment Arc Trial Stakes
My Pick: Hey Diego

Price Guide:
1 - Lookoutforoscar - 8/1
2 - Barley Hero - 3/1
3 - Sawpit Sydney - 10/1
4 - Skelligs Yahoo (m) - 8/1
5 - Brizzle Blue (w) - 3/1
6 - Hey Diego (w) - 7/4F

A rather unoriginal pick in this one, however I'm rooting for the likely favourite, Hey Diego. Once again trained by Kevin Hutton, Diego ran a particularly good race at Coventry back on the 31st March, and to me looked a good thing for the next time out. At Coventry on Sunday, he fluffed the start completely, but coming home to the Swindon traps, he should find himself right at home.  

19:48 - The Pinpoint Recruitment Arc Trial Stakes
My Pick: Crusty Crab (NB)

Price Guide:
1 - Sharies Miller -7/2
2 - Forest Mollie -.3/1C
3 - Dustin Eagle - 5/1
4 - Barley Brave - 8/1
5 - Crusty Crab (W) - 3/1C
6 - Jaytee Swaby (W) - 3/1C

I'm really trying to now show so much bias to the local dogs, but it has to be said that they've got the best of the draws on the night! Crusty Crab, the old boy trained by Ray Jones, has had a really stop-start campaign. The 509m track record holder, the Crab is still pulling out some excellent times, maybe due to him not having too much mileage on the clock! To be, he has an absolute plot draw here. I watched the 4 dog at Henlow last week, and he was desperate for the rails round there, whilst Sharies Miller should really be seeded middle (in my opinion). Jaytee Swaby, on the outside, really ran wide in his trial. I've always had the Crab down as a trap 4/5 dog, so he should get a clear run up.

20:04 - The Pinpoint Recruitment Arc Trial Stakes
My Pick: Taranis Rex

Price Guide:
1 - Taranis Rex - 6/4F
2 - Matties Mate - 5/1
3 - Rusheen Major - 8/1
4 - Swords Messi (m) - 6/1 
5 - Bit View Micko (w) - 7/2
6 - Airlie Impact (w) - 3/1 

Once again I'm going with the local runner, however there is an argument to be made for the 6 dog here, Airlie Impact. First, Taranis Rex is a little hot-pocket at the moment, winning the trial stake last week in impressive fashion, posting a 28.32calc. His early pace is superb, winning his races by rocketing off that 2nd bend. In a similar position to last week, he can lead up the dogs on his inside, with the only concern being if he can stay on or not.

Airlie Impact, however, is one to keep a look out for. Paul Young's charge, a Sussex Cup finalist from last year, has some seriously fast times down at Hove, and looks a genuine Arc contender. The main problem with him (for anyone that's watched him), is that he runs ever so wide in his races, costing him valuable lengths. 

20:19 - The Pinpoint Recruitment Arc Trial Stakes
My Pick: Dusseldorf

Price Guide:
1 - Slippery Patch - 9/4F
2 - Jaytee Jules - 5/1
3 - Downton Flyer - 4/1
4 - Tibetan Skies (m) - 4/1
5 - Ballycowen Dave (w) - 4/1
6 - Dusseldorf (w) - 4/1

I know, I almost couldn't believe it myself. A tip, that isn't a Swindon dog! Some might be suprised by my choice here, in picking Seamus Cahill's Dusseldorf. He's a greyhound that hasn't exactly had the best of starts over here, winning a maiden open at Romford and running over all sorts of trips. I think it's just been really difficult to find his ideal distance. Anyone who saw the Hove 515m run will know that the trip was just too far for him, whilst the Romford trip is a tad on the short side. He's got bundles of early pace, and I'm hopeful that this 480m will be right up his street.

20:36 - The Pinpoint Recruitment Arc Trial Stakes
My Pick: Jolly Bullseye (NAP)

Price Guide:
1 - Jolly Bullseye - 3/1J
2 - Droopys Reason - 4/1
3 - Longwood Bound - 3/1J
4 - Tyrur Andy (m) - 8/1
5 - Sawpit Sensation (w) - 4/1
6 - Any Dak (w) - 4/1  

I'll say now that the Bullseye is also one of my picks to win the competition. Jolly Bullseye, trained by Kevin Hutton, has some awesome form over the 480m, most recently posting 28.65 at Wimbledon, beating some decent dogs in the process. His form is top draw, and you've got to think that a competition is in his sights for this year. The trial last week was a touch disappointing, but expect him to come on from that run.