Racing Post Greyhound TV Tips: Henlow, Romford and Hove

Henlow's Gold Cup semi-finals on Thursday night dominate the Racing Post Greyhound TV action this week. Regular pundit Darrell Williams pinpoints the best bets for both Thursday and Friday night's televised cards.

Droopys English, a finalist in both the Puppy Derby and Puppy Classic, could hardly have taken the step out of puppy races and up to six bends any better judged on his unbeaten two from two record over Henlow's 550m trip. That included an impressive all the way victory in last week's Gold Cup first round and with an early lead again his for the taking in the first semi-final (20:58), he rates one of the best bets on the Thursday night cards.

Bubbly Ebony took his tally over the Gold Cup CD to three from four with a resounding victory in last week's first round and will again be a popular choice in the second semi-final (21:15), but with rails seeking Bridge Jane likely to give him a run for his money early on, well drawn Westmead Apollo, marginally quicker last week makes more appeal.

Bubbly Ebony's trainer Paul Young however should be on the mark in the last semi-final (21:32) with rapidly improving Bubbly Rossie taken to repeat his first round victory, where his early pace served him so well. Relatively lightly raced, he looks open to further improvement and is taken to account for Blackrose Eve.

Away from the Gold Cup, Flaming Honey is taken to return to winning ways in the 'Ladies' race (21:48), where her draw inside rails favouring Swift Nora should allow her full use of her early pace.

Layers might consider taking on Severn Bolt in the Puppy race (19:54), with a draw in trap four unlikely to favour Paul Young's charge, who has also won only one of his twelve races to date.

Derby runner-up Farloe Ironman reminded us all of his ability when bouncing back from a layoff with a huge run to win at Hove last week, and while his odds are likely to be restricted, he looks impossible to oppose in the 21:40 back at the same venue on Thursday.

Teejaysblackhawk, off the track since August, can return with a win in a Maiden Puppies Open (20:34). As the name would suggest, a littermate of useful Teejaysbluehawk, his early speed should reward his supporters. Maui Emperor (20:18) will do well to trap as quickly as he did last week in the A1 at 20:18, but nevertheless looks sure to take the beating, while Airforce Diva, after a brace of eye-catching trials, is worth a dabble in a high class Maiden contest at 21:56.

Layers are directed towards Tullna Puma (20:02), whose run of near misses continued when sent a shade of odds on in the same A2 grade last week.

Sues Rocket's excellent early speed marks him down as a dog to follow and Ernie Gaskin's charge, marginally the quickest in the heats on Monday, can claim the feature Maiden Trophy final (21:24) at Romford on Friday evening. While a draw away from the fence might have been more preferable, neighbour Assassin Eight's tendency to edge middle should allow him more than enough room to manoeuvre.

Tipping up Ayamzaman is far from original, but Mark Wallis' prolific winner can again keep his supporters sweet in a 400m Open at 22:11, where the recent Henlow Derby semi-finalist's early speed should again prove decisive.

Layers can be on the mark with Makeit Flashy, who drawn out in trap four, looks readily opposable in a Maiden contest at 19:46.

Recommendations:

Droopys English 20:58 Hen (Thu)
Farloe Ironman 21:40 Hove (Thu)
Sues Rocket 21:24 Rom (Fri)
Ayamzaman 22:11 Rom (Fri)