Sky Dogs: Pocket can storm to TV success

Storm Pockets is Darrell's pick in the TV Trophy at Monmore

Storm Pockets, surprisingly turned over in the heats last week, can strike gold when it matters most by utilising her proven stamina to claim the Television Trophy final at Monmore - live on Sky Sports - writes Darrell Williams, who also assesses the seven supporting races on the Thursday night TV card.

21:45 TV Trophy final

T2 Storm Pockets
Dominant force over CD and a strong ante post favourite until beaten in the heats (although made up eight lengths on Blonde Reagan in the final lap). Has the fastest time for the CD this year and three wide margin wins(from four attempts) over this trip. Her stamina makes her still the one to beat.

T3 Aero Gaga
Has been a regular high class marathon performer for more than a year and fitting that he has made this final. Winner of last year's 'Ted Hegarty' marathon at Harolds Cross and has won four of his fourteen marathons this year. Likely to find hot competition for the early lead,but bound to run his usual honest race.

T4 Lottes Girl
Veteran performer and another who has been a mainstay in marathons for a longtime. Gained her first marathon win of the year (at the fifth attempt) in the heats when just touching off Aero Gaga, Could improve having not previously run the track, but has a bit to find on the clock against the other heat winners.

T5 Pantone Ava
Finalist in the Yorkshire Leger and stepped up to marathons for this event. Has beaten Blonde Reagan twice recently including over CD which means she offers some appeal to value seekers.

T6 Blonde Reagan
Untried in marathons prior to this event, but put himself forward as a major contender when beating Storm Pockets in by far the quickest time in the heats - a big improvement on his trial stakes run the previous week. Benefited from a quick start and an easy lead in that race and a big player if able to poach a similar advantage, but could be vulnerable if taken on early.

Verdict

Blonde Reagan put himself forward as a major player after a most impressive performance in the heats and would hold serious chances if able to poach a similar lead again. However, with the likes of Pantone Ava and Aero Gaga in the line-up that may not prove straight-forward and it is worth noting that Storm Pockets went nearly eight lengths quicker than Blonde Reagan in the second lap last week. Jason Foster's charge had come into this event as the one to beat, after three wide margin wins in Trial Stakes, and granted her proven stamina against rivals, who in the main are not the strongest, could make her odds look very attractive come Thursday night.

19:40 Puppy

Melodys Midnight was unbeaten in Ireland (three wins at Tralee), won on his British debut at Hove and will be popular, but Lemon Pluto showed excellent speed in the Northern Puppy Derby final last week and can make all.

20:00 416m
Fridays Dynamo off the back of two good sprint wins at Nottingham looks well drawn and can give trainer John Sharp a quickfire double. Black Silver is respected on his Sheffield win but has lost ten of his last eleven starts.

20:15 480m
Derby runner-up Farloe Ironman has won both his comeback races at Hove, but Graigues Orchard has won two competitions over CD this year and gets the vote

20:35 684m
Leger favourite Ballyard Buddy is in riveting form having won his last five races, including the Great North Run at Newcastle and rates one of the best bets on the card. Bower Hawk retains some ability judged on his Perry Barr win.

20:50 Bitches final
Droopys Loner has won six of her last eight, including all three races since a layoff and will be popular, but Sharies Miller (three wins in four) was only just behind her in the heats and is a value alternative. Rockburst Pearl, a kennelmate of the selection, is a prolific winner (four from seven over CD) and is not out of it.

21:10 630m final
A very competitive contest. Mark My Words loves it here (four from seven over this trip)and has the best time this year, but Ballymac Wander went much quicker in the heats, could have more improvement having only stepped up in trip last month, and gets the vote. Granard Bound is well drawn and worth a saver.

21:25 480m dogs
Aero Tobias was by someway the fastest heat winner, is improving quickly and looks a solid option. Tyrur Willy Joe was useful in Ireland and can improve. Newinn Rocket is someway below his Puppy Derby form.

Recommended Bets

Storm Pockets 21:45
Aero Tobias 21:25
Ballyard Buddy 20:35
Sharies Miller 20:50