Thursday featured an open card with a few
graded races thrown in.
The opening 435m open
featured a re-match between Gottabe
Rooney and Legal
Major from last week. Gottabe
Rooney returned from a lay off last week and was all out to hold
off Legal
Major , who ran on very well. hold. I thought Gottabe
Rooney would come out on top again, but this was not the case. Kindred
Sparky returned from a lengthy layoff and broke very well
and made most until tying up from between the last two bends .Legal
Major kept on strongly and took up the running on the run in. Gottabe
Rooney couldn't go the early pace and disappointed. This was a
very promising comeback from Kindred
Sparky , whom I'm a massive fan of. I suspect he may win
a race or two in the coming weeks.
The hurdles
event lost it's competitive edge with the withdrawal of Castledale
Lad. The prolific Snazzy
Time put another home win on the board with a comfortable
victory. The rest were out with the washing.
Head
Iton Tonge went off a short priced favourite in the novice
marathon. As expected, he trailed the file dearly doors. Shelbourne
Thesa hit the front at the 3rd bend. Despite running wide at the
4th and 6th bends, she had enough in the tank to hold the staying on
favvy.
Oakhurst
Blue was strongly supported in the Div 2 maiden. (9/2 to 6/4F)
He didn't look like giving his supporters a moments anxiety until
checking at the sough when holding a comfortable lead. None of his
rivals were making themselves too busy and Oakhurst
Blue straightened up and kicked on to land the gamble.
Cobra
Striking was again allowed to run in a division 3 event and many
considered him a penalty kick. It turned out to be anything but a
comfortable ride for any punters who had taken short odds. The game Pork
Pie towed them along until the 3rd bend and after being headed,
gamely chased Cobra
Striking hard to go down by a head.
Big
Brett Coal made it seven on the spin in the first heat of the
Test in a sizzling 39.57. He made all to beat his gallant kennel mate Ceroc
Gypsy, who stayed on very well after getting a lovely clear run.
Smooth
Darika plugged on for 3rd. (only two qualified)
Astute
Gift was led up early by Eye
Onthe Star, but gained the valuable rails plot. Astute
Gift showed the better pace to lead at half way and went on to
win. War
Of Attrition stayed on to run him to half a length. Fear
Mykeo broke moderately and was crowded on the run up and at the
second bend.
Larkhill
Jackie made all to land the puppy standard. Larkhill
Jackie ran wide at the last bend, but still held the staying on Erinaceous
Rapid comfortably enough. The favourite Deanridge
Newman, disappointed and was not at all fluent at the 2nd and
3rd bends. Lockwood
Littljo showed plenty of guts, but surely needs a break after
failing to negotiate the 3rd bend on an increasing number of occasions.
The
2nd heat of the test was marred by the sight of the admiral servant Blackmagic
Guy pulling up lame at the first bend. Droopys
Sibin towed them on for a bit, before first Ingenious,
then the eventual winner Classy
Star swept by. Last years champion Lady
Aishling ran moderately and went out.
Snoozys
Palace showed smart early pace in the Div 1 standard to make
all. Journey
North managed to get to within a neck, despite not looking quite
at jis best.
The veteran January
Tiger again showed he's not ready for a place by the fire place
just yet by running away with the 3rd heat of the Test comp. He
romped home in a fast 39.73. Coolanga
Flyer finished a long second.
Special
Trip was a game winner of the A2. He took over from the early
pace setter Droopys
Faldo, before being passed by Reachfar
Gifted at the third bend. He gamely stuck his head out and
grabbed the lead again close home.
Google
Ruby stepped up in trip in the novice stayers race and showed a
marked improvement in form. Sent off at 6-1, she cracked out and
made all. Fairbet
Flash plugged on for second. I hope the lads got bundles
on this one. Google
Ruby is owned by the Dont Tell The Missus Syndicate, which is
headed by "Catford Lad". Catford Lad is a popular Betfair
greyhound forumite and punter. Well done lads!