Racing
Hove Preview: Back Fit For Racing to continue his electric form
Syndicate Captain and greyhound racing lover Cheltmental is back to take on Thursday evening’s £15,000 Win 8 pool at Hove. He’s written us this fantastic preview and you can join his Syndicate here.
Cheltmental: “There’s been plenty of greyhound pool action since my last preview. However, the Win 8 still isn’t really getting the attention it deserves. Huge guarantees have been on offer and tonight’s Hove card offers some decent graded action alongside three Open Races. I fancy my chances and I’ve explained my thoughts for each leg here.”
18:27 – 515m (A3)
The 515m trip is the traditional four bend distance and allows the runners a good chance to hit the first bend at speed. Trapping is always crucial but early pace plays a strong hand over this trip.
Both Trap 2 and Trap 4 are August 2017 whelps, which means they’ve just lost their puppy status. Each of them will surely have more to offer and have shown some pace into the bend. Timewise, BRONX BOMBER in Trap 2 has recorded a faster circuit but that came back in June and he’s 12 races to his name.
BRICKFIELD NOBLE in Trap 4 has had just four starts but he’s won two of those, including when coming from last to win last time out in this grade. He looks to have been drawn where he could get round the first bend and, for me, that should be enough.
Trap 3 looks to be drawn for trouble, especially considering Trap 2 weighs 35kg. Traps 1 and 5 are bitches who have both had a few tough, recent runs but, of that pair, MALBAY WILLOW in 5 can trap quite well. If able to clear Trap 4 at the first she is capable on the clock but she absolutely needs to lead to win.
Trap 6 could end up being well drawn and possesses pace at both ends of the race. Today might not be his day but you’d think he’ll be winning again soon enough.
Selections – 4, 5, 6
18:44 – 490m (B3)
The action at the first bend comes a great deal quicker over this 490m trip so trapping well is a massive asset.
Trap 5, MAUGHERA BABE has been late in starting her career but in three starts she’s shown a great deal of potential, including when winning last time out. On her inside, Trap 4 looks capable of challenging at the first bend but missed the kick last time out.
One who has recorded the times to be a major player in this is Trap 6, as does MANTRA in Trap 3. SKYLINE OPTIMUM in Trap 1 would be a likely winner if sneaking through on the rails.
Selections – 1, 2, 4, 5
19:03 – 490m (B2)
This third leg looks a slightly fiddly affair but I think the winner should come from 2, 4 or 5. They all have Grade winning form and I think each could turn handy but the potential fly in the ointment is ROSES KATE in 3. She’s pacey to the bend and, having recently returned from her season, should be improving in her next couple of races.
Selections – 2, 3, 4, 5
19:17 – 490m (OR)
Open races are usually easier to narrow down but this one looks to be a touch harder. That being said, I do think BALLYBOUGH HARRY in Trap 2 is the most reliable runner in the field but he’s drawn outside BRYNOFFA BEN who can ping and pace to the first turn.
He’s raced at Nottingham in his last two, where he moved off at the first so that’s a concern but I could only really see the strong staying DROOPYS PRIZE in Trap 4 benefitting if those two railers came together early on.
Selections – 1, 2, 4
19:33 – 490m (OR)
This Open race looks to be a pretty decent standard and it’s full of early pace.
Trap 6 has been sent off favourite over this trip in his last two and has clocked decent times too so he’s an obvious contender and looks to be drawn quite well on the outside. He’s still a puppy and only has three races to his name so that would be a concern but I’d hope he’s quick enough to take this.
Selection – 6
19:49 – 490m (OR)
This heat looks a bit more open and it’s not straightforward to predict the first bend positioning.
Trap 1 clocked a decent sectional and finishing time in a trial here last time out but he’s got pace on his outside from Trap 2. She has a little to find on the clock but potentially could slip round on the inside.
Trap 5 is blessed with all round pace, although he’d do well to be in the first 3 at this first bend.
I’d say Trap 4 is likely to move in though, so I think 5 will get a chance at a clear run.
Selections – 2, 5
20:06 – 515m (A3)
Back over 515m now and back into graded company.
The only puppy in this field, FIT FOR RACING, is in Trap 3 but he’s won twice in four starts and placed second once. In fact he’s not been outside the first three in any race. I think he’s a potential leader here with only Trap 4 to his outside a danger early on, so I think he looks one of the better bets on the whole card.
Selections– 3
20:21 – 490m (B5)
There’s plenty of pace on the inside here but 5 and 6 might need to find a bit on the clock to take advantage of any early crowding.
I’d expect Trap 2 is capable of winning in this grade soon enough having been favourite in the last two but if Trap 1 can hold his own at the first bend, and he’s got a 9kg advantage over the bitch in 2, he rates as the main danger.
Selections – 1, 2