Obviously, one issue is that certain trainers may not want to travel. I can see both sides to this. On one hand, it gives the Team Captain a real headache in picking greyhounds, as you can't use certain dogs that you would otherwise. There may be greyhounds not listed on here and you will be wondering why, well this may be the reason. On the other hand, travelling is a big deal, and these tracks aren't particularly close. Remember, our trainers don't just come from Swindon, but Oxford, Bristol and Wales even, meaning the travel is more so for them. However, the one conclusion I have is that, if we do happen to win a pot of money, the money should first and foremost go to those greyhounds and trainers that have travelled and showed the willing, as it's them that have earned the prize money.
So, the first leg is at Hove on the 6th November 2013 (Wednesday afternoon). One thought I had about the Hove team is that their consistent running of open races may be their undoing. They run open races week in, week out, and a lot of the time they are rather weak maiden races with a lot of their own greyhounds. This could mean that a lot of their greyhounds are ineligible (can only have won one open race).
Again, these ideas for selections are just my idea, and have no bearing on what the actual team is. I'll be recommending dogs for both legs of the competition (Hove and Poole), with the track most suited to indicated. Feel free to comment on selections, as well as suggesting others that I may have forgot.
Stayers - 695m Hove, 640m Poole
Gemstone Meg - 695m/640m - Hutton
Gemstone Meg would be the first on the team sheet for me in both legs. She's the winner of just one open, at Coventry over their 672m trip. I've watched her at Hove the times she has run there and, although bashed about a bit, showed promise round that trip, and could do with another go down there, albeit in with less class of greyhound. She runs on well over further trips, yet is capable of a dash to the bend, as seen in last weeks 737m.
Lady Jayne - 695m - Dartnall
Lady Jayne is a lass who is certainly knocking on the door over the trip, however has yet to land a killer blow. She posted an excellent 41.69 trial at Hove, which would win a good open round there. The problem is that she requires a race to go all her own way. The recent experience round the Neville Road circuit though could earn a vital extra point.
Swift Kennedy - 695m - Foster
Amazingly, Swift Kennedy has yet to win an open race yet, remarkable considering the amount of opens he's been in. Paul Foster's fawn is a very strong runner over a galloping trip. Arguably, at times, looking as though he could do with a marathon trip. Greyhounds that run on like he does make for good points scorers!
Gemstone Billy - 695m - Hutton
Again, much like Kennedy, Billy is one of those greyhounds that runs on very strong over these sort of trips. He's an out-and-out points scorer.
Silbury Campion - 640m - McDowell
Recently hitting form again, Silbury Campion has been posted some really good times in A2/1 company. Always looking like a bit of a stayer, I reckon he'd be a cracking runner at Poole over the 640m trip.
Portavoe Girl - 695m - Hutton
Her sole winning open race actually came at Hove, posting 41.90. She's ripe out of season, recently winning in A2 on the BAGS on Friday. The other thing is, she's a wide runner. In a competition that is likely to be dominated by railers (as Open Racing generally is), she could get a decent draw at Hove.
Sharp Exit - 695m - Foster
One of the members of the team from last year, she put in our best performance at Perry Barr last year, and is still a force over an extended trip here.
Ardmayle Molly - 695m/640m - McBride
Although, arguably, she's gone a bit off the boil recently, Molly could be a potential pick, based on her exploits in the stayers grades at the start of the year.
Jolly Be Good - 640m - Hutton
A stunning front running performance on Saturday evening. Be Good looks to be a good pick for Poole, where being out on the bunny is crucial. The 685 at Swindon looks to be her maximum trip in my eyes, so the 640 should be right up her street. Wide runner too, ideally from a trap draw point of view.
Ballymac Shaw - 640m - Little
Again, it's looking at the performances from Saturday, and Shaw ran really well winning the S2. He's an out and out bunny runner, who has bundles of early pace to put a distance between his rivals early. He struggles staying the full 685, so again it's a case of 640m looks ideal.
Puppies - 515m Hove, 450m Poole
Ballyhill Oscar - 515m - Dartnall
Matt Dartnall's youngster has just hit form, winning an A4 in a cracking 28.97. He looks to be an out and out Hove dog, however he has taken a while to find his feet, my fear is that he'll take time getting used to a track.
Swift Eugene - 450m/515m - Walsh
Maurice Walsh' Feb'12 has just come good in A3 company, posting a good 28.90. He also looks to have got his trapping a bit better. He's a litter brother of Swift Keith, who looks to be the pup to watch in open racing. Eugene would be first on my list for both tracks,
Forest White Boy - 515m/450m - N.Jones
Winner of the one open, White Boy looks to be a bit of a versatile sort, showing some decent early pace, aswell as staying on strong. Ideally, he looks to be a Hove dog, however I think he could run Poole.
To Tone Charlie - 450m/515m - Swadden
A recent winner of A2, Charlie's ascent up the graded ranks has been very good to see. Only a Jan'12, he looks to be a short runner, making Poole and ideal track for him. **After his recent form, he looks like he would run Hove well, certainly worth a spin there**
Jet Stream Lewis - 515m - Hutton
Lewis has really been shooting up the grades recently, last winning an A2 in a good 29.07. He showed there both early pace, aswell as some strong late speed to beat Bealady Rover. He's coming on in leaps and bounds, and looks like a dog who will eventually want further. 515m would be a naturally good step up for him.
Sprinters - 285m Hove, 250m Poole
(Sidenote: I think it's safe to say that this is probably going to be our weakest area of the competition. The current plan is to not hold graded sprints, and instead run straight into the competition. In my eyes, I must admit I think that might be our disadvantage, as Hove run regular graded sprints, meaning they have quite the arsenal to pick from. Alas, the picks here are just a couple of the early pace sorts that could be selected)
Lady Maud - Hutton
(Sidenote: I think it's safe to say that this is probably going to be our weakest area of the competition. The current plan is to not hold graded sprints, and instead run straight into the competition. In my eyes, I must admit I think that might be our disadvantage, as Hove run regular graded sprints, meaning they have quite the arsenal to pick from. Alas, the picks here are just a couple of the early pace sorts that could be selected)
Lady Maud - Hutton
To me, the first pick on the sheet. Although, it has to be said, she was a touch outclassed in a recent open at Swindon, she does have that consistent trapping ability and early pace to get round in front.
Ericks Gav - McBride
Ericks Gav - McBride
I highly doubt that Ben would want him running in sprints (I would think the standard trips would suit better), however Gav's last sprint trial time of 16.06 was absolutely motoring round. He's a class dog on the bunny.
Ballymac Montana - Little
Although maybe a bit below the class that will be required, Montana has a great turn of early foot, and could be an out and out sprinter if aimed solely at these events. I reckon with a first look she'll run fresh too.
Standard - 515m Hove, 450m Poole: Bitches/Dogs
2 x Dogs Standard, 2 x Bitches Standard, 2 x Mixed Standard
Thats My Hero - McBride - 450m Poole
A dog that's certainly turned into an early pace machine, Hero recently clocked a superb 28.95, with a 2.33 split, in A2 recently, and looks as though he would suit Poole down to a T. He's only won the one open, which was a decent win at Henlow.
Tarty Toes - McBride - 450m Poole
This little lass took part in last years competition, and I feel could be a feature this year too. Although only 5th last year, she was very unlucky not to make it round the bend at Poole. She's that much older and wiser now, and is running well at the moment, including a recent 28.78 win in A2.
Tictac Chili - McBride - 450m Poole
Again, another greyhound that finds the 480m Swindon a bit of a struggle, however looks as though he would thrive on a smaller track. He's an early pace wide runner, who put in a very good run last time out.
Hey Diego - Hutton - 450m/515m
Believe it or not, Hey Diego has only won the one open race! Diego is a class act over shorter trips, however proved himself over the tough 485m at Coventry too. I'm not sure on exactly what the ruling is with regards to dual attachment. However, as he has had the required amount of graded runs, I presume he's eligible. A potential big player for us.
Cimla Superstar - N.Jones - 515m Hove
Superstar, when hitting her break and getting on the bunny, is a seriously fast lass. She's been round Hove before too, which is a massive bonus.
Almost Blew In - Bevan - 515m Hove
Recently landing at QB's, Blew In has really come to light over the past couple of runs, putting in some good performances in A2/A1 company. He looks to be a good Hove dog.
Rodger - Wallington - 515m Hove
Rodger is currently one of my favourite greyhounds at Swindon. He's a versatile sort, who manages to pace up well enough, aswell as running on towards the finish. I've said for a while that he looks like an ideal Hove dog, and this could be the making of him.
Offshore Cruise - Swadden - 450m Poole
Cruise has come into some awesome form since arriving at Model Farm, winning in A2 and A1 company, showing some trademark early pace. He looks like an out-and-out Poole dog, and would be one of the dogs on the teamsheet for that leg for me.
Ericks Gav - McBride - 450m Poole/Possible 515m Hove
Possibly in the sprinting league too, however I would personally have him over a standard trip and day of the week. I think the 515m Hove might be a touch too far for him, however he is of different class, and class prevails in a competition such as this. Poole's 450m trip will be right up his street. He's trialling back well after a lay off, and a 28.13 Monmore run on his card does wonders.
Ring The Alarm - Hutton - 515m Hove
Recently hitting a good patch of form, Alarm looks to be an out-an-out 515m bitch. She's run the track before, and was unlucky not to get onto the scoresheet down there.
Swarez - Hutton - 515m Hove
Coming back from a spell of lameness, Swarez looks like, if anything, she would need a touch further than the 515m. She's still got a 28.54 on her card from back in March. Anything like that would be a massive bonus going into the competition.
(Greyhounds will be added over a period of time)
Ring The Alarm - Hutton - 515m Hove
Recently hitting a good patch of form, Alarm looks to be an out-an-out 515m bitch. She's run the track before, and was unlucky not to get onto the scoresheet down there.
Swarez - Hutton - 515m Hove
Coming back from a spell of lameness, Swarez looks like, if anything, she would need a touch further than the 515m. She's still got a 28.54 on her card from back in March. Anything like that would be a massive bonus going into the competition.
(Greyhounds will be added over a period of time)
