Both
Westmead Prince and
Black Taxi returned from layoffs in the PEPSI MAX MINI STANDARD.
Westmead Prince had shown up better in his trials, but they were
surprisingly sent off 2/1 JFs.
Westmead Prince started well, just led and made all.
Black Taxi just ran round and did not get competitive.
Tonetta Balboa ran a decent second and may be one to keep an eye
out for.
Courts Ad Peer set a good pace up front in the PEPSI MAX NOVICE
STAYERS. He didn't quite get the trip and was caught as he faded
near the line.
Tendring Crown stayed on and led near the line.
Tendring Crown had competed at S1 level at Yarmouth and this was
not a strong race.
Onbir
Dan started best and led round in the PEPSI MAX MAIDEN. Slick
Spirit ran rails from trap 3 and was crowded on the run up. He
showed decent pace and took it up at half way. Droopys
Patty started slowly, but came home best of all and led near the
line, stepping up on his Henlow form. Mr Savva does not bring dogs
to Walthamstow without a chance. Slick
Spirit must surely soon be winning. He has a fast 28.66 at
Lifford on his card and has found trouble and showed pace on both
his Stow runs so far.
Black
Ice Boss showed tremendous early pace and made all the running
in the DOUDELLE WEDDING DASH. He came back to the others close home,
but his early pace is a potent weapon and he'll be winning plenty of
races. Kilkenny
Lonjack moved off and was crowded at the second bend, but came
home well for second.
Kilkenny
Buzzard led up in the NOVICE MARATHON. Baran
Miami took it up from the 4/5 and went on to score. This
was a a poor event. Bell
Tempest was not fluent at a bend or two, but plodded on for
second.
The Div 2 bitches open saw the lead change
hands a few times. Blackrose
Monica led briefly, but ran wide and poorly after her early
spurt. Barnfield
Laura took over near the 3rd bend, but was run out of it late by
Ballymac
Rita. She has bit a little in and out, but is fairly decent when
she puts her best foot forward ...
Alis
Amigo broke best and made all in the hurdles open. He didn't
face much opposition, as Firm
Handed and Emporio
Wizard were crowded at the first bend, allowing him to skip
clear.
Like
Hot Cakes started well in the PEPSI MAX STAYERS (Division I). Barnfield
Slippy took over near the 3rd bend, but allowed Like
Hot Cakes to get back up on the line, after failing to run the
bends fluently.
Legal
Major has been in flying recent form and added yet another win
to his ever growing tally. He started well and led round. Pacey
Macy headed him down the back straight, but Legal
Major was having none of it! He came back for more and took it
up again at the 3rd bend. What a fantastic dog he has been for his
owners. After a chat with John & James Wright, Legal
Major's fortunate owners, I diligently wrote down a list of
their tremendous selection of former great dogs they had owned.
Sadly when I was filling in my tax form the other day (at the last
minute again!), I binned my notes. DOH! When he wins again in the
very near future. I'll fulfil my previous promise.
Grannie
Annie started well in the PEPSI MAX PUPPY STANDARD and led
round. She was run out of it late on the run in, by the strong
finishing Rough
Rose. Those bred by the Sire Crash have attracted some
ungenerous comments. This one looks genuine enough.
Jazz
Hurricane is a very classy dog and had won two thirds of his fifteen
Stow races. She is getting on a bit now, but still retains enough
class and ability to win plenty of opens. Sent off a generous
looking Evens shot, she broke well and made all to land the PEPSI
MAX BITCHES (Division I). Stone
Mole Spark perhaps put a question mark against the value of the
form, but appeared to run well in second.
Greyhound
of the year,
Spiridon Louis was sent off 2/5 to land the PEPSI MAX MARATHON
FINAL. After a fair start, he was not at all fluent at the bends and
ran well below his best. He has been busy for a long while now and
deserves a break.
Romford Carthree led off the second, but had a dwell up on the
run in and allowed
Swift Jade to get on top.
Swift Jade started very slowly and stayed on/ She had a dwell up
on the run in as well, but just about wanted it most. All in all, a
pretty disappointing final to be honest.
My
favourite dog
Noirs Ted started well in the PEPSI MAX STANDARD (Division I)
and looked set to score. However, he was struck down by cramp on the
run in.
Risk Related took advantage and got up close home to beat
Noirs Ted by half a length. I shall be attending church up to
the start of the Arc, praying fir a warm spell of weather and also
an end to
Noirs Ted's cramping. I intend to back him to win the Arc.
Whilst he may be not quite the fastest in the comp, he's really game
and genuine and extremely reliable.
Placid Jill and
Centaur Cappo made the early running in the PEPSI MAX STAYERS
(Division II) finale.
Barnfield Leo swept by and looked set for a comfortable victory.
However, he cramped on the run in and held on by a length.
Centaur Cappo stayed on for second.