Racing Post Greyhound TV Tips: Hove, Romford and Henlow

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"Airlie Impact might be worth taking on. Not only is he denied his favored stripes box, but also faces a seriously useful rival in Sawpit Sensation, who with the likes of speedy Lenson Bob and Millwards Alpha also in the field, should have the race run to suit"

Racing Post Greyhound TV viewers (SKY Channel 212) are seriously spoilt this week with live semi-final coverage of both the Olympic (Hove Thur) and Puppy Cup (Romford Fri).
Darrell Williams has been casting his eye over the two events and the supporting cards.

I jokingly suggested that they should just give Ballymac Eske the Olympic trophy after his stunning trial at Hove prior to the event, and following his near eight length romp in a rapid 2939 last week, he's as good as got a couple of paws on it already!

Barrie Draper's youngster is an absolute star and will be long odds-on to win the second semi-final (20:34). The other two races however are a bit more competitive, and while I was a big supporter of Airlie Impact for his impressive comeback win in the heats - he had been off since the Sussex Cup final in late July - he might be worth taking on in the third semi-final (20:50). Not only is he denied his favored stripes box, but also faces a seriously useful rival in Sawpit Sensation, who with the likes of speedy Lenson Bob and Millwards Alpha also in the field, should have the race run to suit. A similar scenario which sees Bridge Honcho and Holycross Prince likely to go hammer and tongs in the first semi (20:18) can also benefit the similarly stamina blessed Sussex Cup winner Westmead Maldini.

The Puppy Cup appeared wide open ahead of the first round the other night, and despite the loss of a couple of the more fancied runners, remains fiercely competitive. Express Rover took his Romford record to three wins from four with a comfortable heat win and looks the one to play in the first semi-final (20:50). I do have concerns with Bens Angel, drawn on his inside, who was fully deserving of her shock victory the other night, but Chris Allsopp's runner is not dependent on an early lead and should prove too tough.

Having napped and backed Oscars Goodbye when he failed to keep left in the Puppy final on Sky Sports last week, I then, not for the first time recently, forgot to back him when he clocked the fastest heat time on Monday. He could easily win again in the second semi-final (21:06), but the draw out in trap five does worry me and I'd rather take the likely bigger odds about recent Henlow six bend winner Blackrose Mia.

Her trainer Eric Cantillon was also on the mark with Blackrose Eve in the first round and I fancy he may repeat the feat with the bitch fancied in the last semi-final (21:24). Likely to improve further after her seasonal rest, she is ideally placed as the sole wide runner.

Henlow on Thursday night warms up for its forthcoming Puppy Derby and after last week's romp it's impossible to oppose Bush Bandit in race 11 - indeed after that run, he's one to keep a very close eye on once the ante post market has been compiled.

Westmead Apollo's stamina ensures he makes plenty of appeal in race 10, another trial stakes, while Doonane Lad's inside draw might give him the edge in race 9, which looks jam-packed with early pace runners.

Away from the Olympic races, Regency hero Mr Chow returns to the card at Hove and can make it five from five at the Sussex track over six bends at 21:24. Aughacasla Suzi should have too many guns early on for them over 475m at 21:40, while Parkwest Leo is plotted up in the four bend race at 22:11

Selections

Blackrose Eve 21:24 Rom (Fri)
Express Rover 20:50 Rom (Fri)
Sawpit Sensation 20:50 Hove (Thu)
Bush Bandit Race 11 Hen (Thu)
Westmead Apollo Race 10 Hen (Thu)