The Lord's Lays at Perry Barr: Two to oppose on Betfair night

Events / The Lord / 21 March 2012 / Leave a Comment

Will you follow The Lord tonight?

"Lonely Boy folded tamely at Wimbledon recently when in front and there are plenty of strong types ready to exploit any chinks tonight."

The equation is simple - lay one dog and the other five all win for you. Here are a pair of pooches to get against in tonight's Sky-televised Betfair Trainers' Championship at Perry Barr

Ballymac William (20:35)
Will be plenty of people's choice to land one of the six-bend events, and certainly ran well when bolting home at Monmore last week. He is staying on better than ever. However, he remains a dog who prefers, and is best when, bowling along in front and the nature of the Trainers' Championship teams is that there are a number of four-bend dogs stepping up in distance take him on. Therefore, will he enjoy a comfortable lead now?

Lonely Boy (21:25)
Has got the draw in the top division of the 660m and will again try to blaze one. However, he folded tamely at Wimbledon recently when in front and there are plenty of strong types ready to exploit any chinks, the potential star that is Freedom Cache being one.

Recommended Bets
Lay Ballymac William @ [4.0] in the 20:35 at Perry Barr
Lay Lonely Boy @ [3.1] in the 21:25 at Perry Barr

The best trainers in greyhound racing go head-to-head on Wednesday night for the Betfair-sponsored competition. It's a fantastic night of rollercoaster action, says The Lord, who takes an early look at the contest here...

Hove and Henlow play the chief supporting role on RPGTV to Swindon's Sky Sports's fare tonight, with greyhound fans preparing for an open-race TV bonanza - and our open-race guru The Lord is across it all....

Racing Post Greyhound TV kicks starts another week of live action this Thursday night with a double-header from Hove and Henlow on Sky Channel 232....

Amazon Sports Center

The Lord's Lays: Blue Bee won't buzz at Swindon

General / The Lord / 08 March 2012 / Leave a Comment

Will you go against the Lord's Lays?

The Lord identifies a pair of dogs to be against at Swindon on Thursday night...

Blue Bee (21:10)

Brilliant out-of-season winner of the Golden Jacket, the Dartnall bitch will have loads of support with the prospect of further improvement after the break to come. However, she really got thumped at Wimbledon last time and, while that has never been her favourite track, she has a huge amount of ground to make up with Lottes Girl.

Longwood Fantasy (21:25)

One of the best competition dogs around with a host of finals reached last year, he nevertheless remains a frustrating dog in terms of the amount of races he wins, given his class. Worringly, his semi-final Arc defeat was one of his poorest runs for a while, and he could be ripe for taking on until his mojo returns.

Recommended Bets
Lay Blue Bee in the 21:10 at Swindon
Lay Longwood Fantasy in the 21:25 at Swindon

There's fantastic fare at Henlow and Hove as Racing Post Greyhound TV hits the screens again - and The Lord is across it all!...

Another week of Racing Post Greyhound TV kicks into action at Henlow and Hove on Thursday night, with the former taking care of the Open race action, while the Sussex track concentrates on the graders, ahead of Romford's regular Friday...

The Lord selects two to oppose from this evening's Romford card......

Amazon Sports Center

The Lord's Lays: Ten Large to go Down?

General / The Betfair Contrarian / 18 January 2012 / Leave a Comment

The Lord is opposing TLD

"Rockview Sail has a great strike-rate over course and distance, but he has the pace of Judicial Academy and Roses Rockin to contend with."

The Lord selects two to oppose from this evening's Romford card...

Ten Large Down (19:40)

A fast dog, but getting no younger and the draw looks fraught with danger. Surely only a fast start can see him afford the luxury of moving middle in the dash to the first bend, and thereafter trouble might be required after he succumbed at halfway over course and distance last week.

Rockview Sail (21:45)

Fantastic in heats and semi-finals of the Coronation Cup, proving he can force the issue or come from off the pace. He has a great strike-rate over course and distance, but has the pace of not only Judicial Academy but Roses Rockin to contend with into the turn and backers will be hoping for a ping. That's possible, but anything less and others could take advantage.

Recommended Bets
Lay Ten Large Down in the 19:40 at Romford
Lay Rockview Sail in the 21:45 at Romford

Our SP has been best price more than 80 per cent of the time since going live last month...

On the eve of the launch of a brand new greyhound racing programme backed by Betfair, Racing Post Greyhound TV presenter Darrell Williams, looks forward to exciting times ahead for dog fans....

The Lord lines up a couple of dogs to oppose during tonight's live action at Hove......

Betfair website

The Lord's Greyhounds News: Time for Betfair Pall Mall semis

Greyhounds News / The Lord / 23 June 2011 / Leave a Comment

The floodlights will be on again at Oxford Stadium for tonight's Pall Mall semi-finals

"Talk of the tracks just now is the interest being shown in the sport by a reported Dubai-based group of owners. They have already purchased crack marathon performer Minnies Penske and are on the lookout for other stars to bolster their team."

It's all eyes on Oxford for the semi-finals of the Betfair-sponsored competition...

Oxford stages the semi-finals of the Betfair Pall Mall tonight where all eyes will be on last year's winner, Ballymac Ace, who goes in heat three.
Chris Allsopp's dog runs from his favoured trap one and is likely to take all the beating. Worryingly, for those aiming to beat him, Ballymac Ace is set to continue to improve after a spell off the card. He faces a cracking on-paper head-to-head with Brian Clemenson's speedster, Pams Tomjo.
The first semi sees the Arc winner Jolly Poacher go for gold once again. He, too, is back from a spell on the sidelines and trainer Nick Colton will be anticipating further improvement in a race where Angie Kibble's speedy local Spencers Lad will have good support.
The second semi-final of the Betfair-backed annual is arguably the most quality-laden, with Derby heat winners Brittons Empire, Romeo Reason and Fifis Whitesox (ex-Johnny Whitesox) all bracketed together.
The first two in tonight's semi-finals at 20:05, 20:50 and 21:35 qualify for Tuesday's live-on-Sky Sports all-Betfair-backed extravaganza.

Droopys Greg is the star turn as he eyes gold in the Olympic at Hove, which continues tonight.
Nick Savva's star won his heat in grand style and will be a warm order to strike from trap six at 20:34.
Three semi-finals over 515m take place at the Sussex track tonight.

Talking of Droopys Greg, the Gary Newbon-owned star could be a surprise addition to the Dundalk International field.
The 550 yards one-off is THE most valuable race of his kind with over e25,000 up for grabs at the border track on July 12.
Among his rivals are likely to be Derby finalist Barefoot Bullet and defending champion Definate Opinion.

Talk of the tracks just now is the interest being shown in the sport by a reported Dubai-based group of owners.
They have already purchased crack marathon performer Minnies Penske and are on the lookout for other stars to bolster their team.
"I see this interest as having two parts to it," said one source. "These guys want to win races, obviously the bigger the better, but are keen on the sport in general.
"There is also the prospect of some sort of breeding operation, perhaps based in Dubai. It raises all sorts of possibilities, all of them positive."

The BAGS/SIS 500 series continues to flourish as a graded sweepstakes on the afternoon and evening service, screened by SIS.
The initiative is set to be utilised on a merry-go-round between all tracks on the service, which this week becomes a seven-night-a-week operation with Poole and Sitingbourne kicking off the Sunday night experiment this week.
"The product remains strong and more money is being bet into these meetings," said one source.
"That in turn helps boost the Greyhound Fund, which is why it's being encouraged, nurtured and helped.
"There's a real revival of greyhound racing's fortunes going on, certainly where this is concerned."

Lister looks likely to deny fans desperate for an Irish Derby bid...

There's a nice tale behind a dangerous Derby floater. The Lord tells that story and more in his round-up of the hot news...

There's not long to go now until the biggest race of the season. The Lord has all the latest news in the build up to the 2011 Derby at Wimbledon......

Betfair website

Sky Dogs Tips: The Lord's Lay at Hove

Events / The Lord / 10 May 2011 / Leave a Comment

Will Hove be kind to our lays?

It's the Regency live on Sky and the Lord has one to be against in the final plus another lay...

Droopys Greg (21:25)
Didn't really have too many excuses at Sittingbourne last week, and arrives again with the benefit of a trial. However, if anything, this is a far tougher race and one or two of these could be in front of Nick Savva's dog after halfway. And the likes of Holy Ground, Mark My Words and Ballymac Well might also not be stopping down the far side.

Blonde Fletch (21:45)
Some pretty faultless efforts in the event thus far but perhaps Regency gold is a race too far for Mark Wallis's dog. He surely needs an uncontested lead, but with Rancey Beauty inside, that is not a given. Throw in the fact the race boasts a host of middle-pace champions and a last-to-first merchant in Bower Hawk, and he will have to game in front indeed to hold on, surely?

Recommended Bets:
Lay Droopys Greg @ [2.3] in the 21:25 at Hove
Lay Blonde Fletch @ [1.73] in the 21:45 at Hove

A great few days for greyhound racing will conclude with a fantastic final for the Betfair Blue Riband at Hall Green on Tuesday. The Lord provides a run down of the dogs to follow....

The Lord's disciples will soon be quids-in with two early lays on a cracking Betfair Trainers' Championship card live on Sky Sports from Wimbledon tonight....

"Second only to the Derby in terms of importance to those involved"...

Betfair website

The Lord's Greyhounds News: Get set for Derby 2011!

Greyhounds News / The Lord / 06 May 2011 / Leave a Comment

The Derby gets under way at Wimbledon on Friday

"Lister is looking to make it six English Derby wins to move ahead of legendary handler Leslie Reynolds... "

Derby gets underway in South West London, Mullins is back in the big time and Sky head for Hove on Tuesday. All this and much more from the Lord's Greyhounds News wrap...

Boher Paddy heads the betting at [9.2] for the Derby which kicks off at Wimbledon on Friday.

This week's deadline for entries for the £75,000 Classic saw 149 entries taken by the south London track, almost a quarter less than 12 months ago. The entry list oozes quality if not quantity with a strong Irish challenge led by Dolores Ruth's Razldazl Jayfkay, while Boher Paddy will lead Charlie Lister's charge on the event.

Lister is looking to make it six English Derby wins to move ahead of legendary handler Leslie Reynolds, also on the five Derby wins mark. Lister, of course, won last the Derby last year with Bandicoot Tipoki.

The draw for the split first round - Friday and Saturday next week - will be made at Wimbledon on Sunday

*

Knockies Hannah returned trainer John Mullins to the big-time with victory in the TV Trophy final at Sittingbourne on Wednesday.

Coming out best in a thrilling tussle with Minnies Penske, the well-backed daughter of former Mullins star Maxie Rumble justified strong support in grabbing the £6,000 prize.
It meant a major trophy again for Mullins, whose last success came in the Steel City Cup in 2008 with Blonde Dino. However, that particular presentation turned sour for the trainer when the winner was sold to Ricky Holloway and immediately switched kennels.
This victory was sweeter in that Knockies Hannah was home-bred at John and Debbie's kennels in Suffolk.

*

Sky Sports' next port of call is Hove on Tuesday for the final of the Regency. Blonde Fletch is currently trading as favourite at [1.86] after clocking the fastest semi-final time on Thursday as he bids to follow up his Queen Mother Cup success with victory in the 695m feature.

His chief rival for the prize is Bower Hawk, who looks for belated compensation after looking all over the winner of last year's Betfair Yorkshire St Leger final, until a last-bend tumble when just about to hit the front robbed him of the spoils.

Tuesday's programme from Hove will kick off at 19:30.

*

Talking of Hove, the Sussex track will see the next appearance of Droopys Greg
The dog trained by Nick Savva for Sky's Gary Newbon was beaten for the first time in a while at Sittingbourne on Wednesday as he stepped into all-aged company for the first time.

As a puppy he won the Midland Puppy Derby and had been well-backed for the Derby at Wimbledon until connections re-routed to Hove for the upcoming Sussex Cup before a crack at the Irish Derby.

*

More televised greyhound racing could be in the offing. The details remain sketchy but two parties are looking at screening nightly greyhound racing into the homes of UK and Ireland-based greyhound fans.

"The Irish authorities are keen on beaming some of their top-class Shelbourne cards into the UK," said one source yesterday. "The Dublin tracks have a strong betting market, which would be a requirement for any service - and Saturdays at Shelbourne for example are immense."

A team of four or five UK tracks could be used for an additional service to give fans are regular diet of greyhound racing. The major events, however, would remain within Sky's portfolio.

All the top stories from the sport rounded up by The Lord...

Classic contenders prepare for Betfair Blue Riband, Scottish Derby reaches semi-final stage and the battle of E17 hots up (again)......

One of the most recognisable faces in the sport could lift its biggest trophy...

Betfair website

The Lord's Lays: Snap up a lay of Snapper

Sky Previews / The Lord / 04 May 2011 / Leave a Comment

We have a fantastic night's action to look forward to at Sittingbourne tonight

"Westmead Shaw was blown away by Union Jak Jakson at Peterborough last night despite ranging upsides at the first bend. That was from the coveted red jacket, but Nick Savva's dog has trap three tonight and it doesn't look a great pitch."

It's the TV Trophy final live on Sky Sports 2 from Sittingbourne tonight. The Lord has not two but THREE favourites you should be against!

Westmead Shaw (7.40pm)

Was blown away by Union Jak Jakson at Peterborough last night despite ranging upsides at the first bend. That was from the coveted red jacket, but Nick Savva's dog has trap three tonight and it doesn't look a great pitch. Jacks Back is an early-paced threat inside, too.

Blonde Snapper (8.50)

Could be a brave shout given this dog is on Derby short-lists. No doubt extremely speedy and there would be few faster in the entire country, but maybe there are good grounds to oppose him this once. Sittingbourne is never easy to run, even with trials! Plus, there is an early-paced obstacle inside in the form of Greenacre Josh. He might well have to come from off the pace, which makes the price available to back pretty cramped.

Knockies Hannah (9.45)

Cracking bitch and more than capable. But her penchant for a middle course on the dash to the bend is fraught with danger. On her immediate outside is Killishin Masai, a big, brute of a dog and one who will not easily be pushed aside by the middle-moving Knockies Hannah. And even if she gets a flyer, Slick Sapphire will be pacing up to bustle up her maybe. Others are preferred.

Recommended Bets:

Lay Westmead Shaw @ [3.75] in the 19:40 at Sittingbourne
Lay Blonde Snapper @ [1.85] in the 20:50 at Sittingbourne?
Lay Knockies Hannah @ [4.2] in the 21:45 at Sittingbourne

Minnies Penske can claim TV Trophy glory at Sittingbourne on Wednesday evening - live on Sky Sports - and in doing so add her name to one of the sport's most prestigious Roll of Honour says Darrell Williams....

Fancy Socks could hardly have taken to Peterborough any better after breaking the track-record last weekend and despite an outside draw is hard to oppose in the Puppy Derby final - live on Sky Sports - says Darrell Williams....

The Betfair Blue Riband is live on Sky Sports tonight, so we have top tipster Darrell Williams - who picked four winners from six bets in his last column - on the case and he cannot resist outsider Springwell Hot...

Betfair website

The Lord's Greyhound News: Blue Riband winner for Derby?

Greyhounds News / The Lord / 23 April 2011 / Leave a Comment

It's another busy week in the game

"Express Shuttle's mix of brute speed and stamina which is likely to encourage his supporters, who can back the Monmore raider at [34.0] for the £75,000 prize at Plough Lane."

All the top stories from the sport rounded up by The Lord

Betfair Blue Riband champion Express Shuttle heads to Wimbledon on Wednesday for a trial as he continues his preparation for the Derby.
Chris Allsopp's dog, who will be bidding to be the first Blue Riband winner to win the Classic since Farloe Verdict in 2003, led early at the Birmingham track and never looked like being caught.
It is that mix of brute speed and stamina which is likely to encourage his supporters, who can back the Monmore raider at [34.0] for the £75,000 prize at Plough Lane.
Express Shuttle, who finished second to Droopys Greg in the Monmore Puppy Derby, ran a good second to Allisons Delight on Betfair Trainers' Championship night, which proved the dog could compete if failing to ever lead.
Wednesday's trial will reacquaint Express Shuttle with Wimbledon ahead of the Derby which begins next month.

The Peterborough Puppy Derby is the stage for the next live-on-Sky programme on Wednesday.
This year's event has been eventful with a re-run semi-final on Saturday ahead of the £5,000-to-the-winner final.

Good Friday attendance records were broken up and down the country as holidaying Britons enjoyed a day or night at the dogs.
All the tracks which raced, on a day horse racing took a break, reported bumper crowds.
Richest race of all was the Bookmakers Golden Sprint at Romford, in which the Elaine Parker-trained Step On Brett made all to claim the £8,000 prize.

Rumours that a sizeable chunk of the GRA's debt have been bought by an unnamed party have been quashed.
Greyhound circles have been rife with suggestions that the GRA's portfolio of tracks could be saved or sold off as going concerns, finally removing any threat of closure.
One insider said: "The GRA owe a huge amount of money, but do appear to be servicing the debt. Their businesses remain profitable, indeed they are flourishing just now, but I think greyhound racing would sit more comfortably knowing the owners had the sport's interests at heart. That is not a given just now."

Meanwhile, the Save Our Stow are currently battling on two specific fronts as it continues the battle for E17 some two-and-a-half years after the last greyhound race there.
Claims that Sport England supported a leisure development at the stadium have been denied, according to local newspaper reports. They quote MP Iain Duncan Smith accusing owners London & Quadrant of "misleading the public."
The SOS team have also been buoyed by renewed council support for Bob Morton's bid to buy the land, redevelop the site for housing but retain the greyhound track and other leisure interests.

Towcester could still be greyhound racing's newest track, if latest reports are to be believed.
In what could prove a revolutionary initiative in the UK, horse and greyhound racing could be sharing the same stage from May of next year.
"That's still the plan it seems," said one source. "The drive is there, as is the finance. It's just a case of the sport's authorities really embracing what is being attempted there. But it's all hugely exciting."

Classic contenders prepare for Betfair Blue Riband, Scottish Derby reaches semi-final stage and the battle of E17 hots up (again)......

One of the most recognisable faces in the sport could lift its biggest trophy...

The Lord has finally caught his breath after an evening of pure excitement at Wimbledon. Here he reflects on a thrilling Betfair Trainers' Championship 2011......

Betfair website

The Lord's Greyhounds News: Get set for Betfair Blue Riband

Greyhounds News / The Lord / 07 April 2011 / Leave a Comment

The Betfair Blue Riband kicks off at Hall Green on Friday.

"Express Shuttle was nabbed late on by Droopys Greg at Monmore and now tops the betting for the Derby."

Classic contenders prepare for Betfair Blue Riband, Scottish Derby reaches semi-final stage and the battle of E17 hots up (again)...

Eyes down for a brilliant Betfair Blue Riband which kicks off at Hall Green tomorrow (Friday). Always a natural stepping stone to the Derby, a number of leading Classic contenders are in the field for the 36-runner event over 480 metres.

These include Racing Post Juvenile Championship winner Blue Artisan, Ten Large Down, Westmead Guru, Jolly Poacher, Ballymac Ace and Express Shuttle.

Express Shuttle is the dog that was nabbed late on by Droopys Greg at Monmore and that now tops the betting for the Derby so Wimbledon is very much in the minds of punters as well.

The first three in each of the Betfair Blue Riband first round heats qualify for the final on Tuesday with the final live on Sky on Tuesday, April 19.

*

Racing-wise, it's the busiest time of the year with the Scottish Derby reaching the semi-final stage on Saturday.

The Shawfield Classic enjoyed huge Irish interest this year and there is a real twist to the event with favourite Farley Blitz formerly trained in Ireland by Owen McKenna who has his own major chances in the shape of Farloe Force and Pablo Supreme.

Farley Blitz, who followed up his impressive first round victory in Tuesday's second round, is trained by Barrie Draper who tends to send his dogs to McKenna when sights are set on the major Irish races. Thurlesbeg Bound and Boherna Best are recent Draper dogs who were sent to McKenna.

*

Romford kicks off its Golden Sprint on Friday with the headline name of Ardbeg Mentor topping the list of entries. Ken Tester's defending champion runs from trap three in the second of six heats at the Essex track.

Fifis Rocket, who as King Lee broke the track record in the event in the semis last year before Ardbeg Mentor bettered that still in the final, is also in the line-up.

*

CPO is the new watchword for the Save Our Stow campaign as the battle for E17 hots up.
The tug-of-war between SOS and owners London & Quadrant looks set to take yet another twist with the news that a compulsory purchase order is being talked about for the iconic site.

This requires the full support of the local Waltham Forest Council and local MPs and Save Our Stow supporters are meeting to talk over the possbilities.

*

Razldazl Jayfkay has been clipped in the Derby betting after greatly impressing clockwatchers in a trial around Shelbourne Park last Saturday.

Quicker than any of the Easter Cup second round heat winners, Dolores Ruth's always well regarded sort has plenty of experience of Plough Lane and remains on many judges' shortlists for the Classic.

One onlooker said: "He's not had a lot of racing and getting knocked out of the Easter Cup was a real blow as Dolores Ruth (trainer) tries to get some experience into him, but the trials show he has all the ability in the world."

*

The countdown is under way for the TV Trophy which kicks off at Sittingbourne later this month.
Three heats will be staged as part of the BAGS card on Saturday April 23 ahead of the final on Wednesday, May 4, which is live on Sky.

It is hoped Midway Skipper, winner of the last two TV Trophys at Newcastle and Doncaster, will aim for an unprecedented third straight success in the competition at the Kent venue.

One of the most recognisable faces in the sport could lift its biggest trophy...

The Lord has finally caught his breath after an evening of pure excitement at Wimbledon. Here he reflects on a thrilling Betfair Trainers' Championship 2011......

The Lord is salivating like a hungry hound at the prospect of this Tuesday's 2011 Betfair Trainers' Championship......

Betfair website

The Lord's Lays: Two to oppose at Swindon

General / The Lord / 30 March 2011 / Leave a Comment

"If there are any chinks in Bush Paddy's armour, the presence of two marathon dogs could see him denied even after an early lead."

It's the Arc final live on Sky Sports 4 from Swindon tonight. The Lord has two short-shots you should be... against.

Aherlow Shaw (19:40)

Could be one of the punts of the night for many, but is worth taking on. He has packed an early punch in so many of his races, but arrives at Swindon following a short lay-off. Will the edge be off him? Will he stay after being caught over a faster 480m at Monmore? And surely Mountjoy Moon will be heavy presence on his inside, and will be pushing to middle and wide ground from two. Take him on.

Bush Paddy (21:10)

A cracking winner of the Golden Jacket at Crayford, but this is chalk and cheese to that. The 737m trip puts pressure on his stamina and a healthy lead will be required. That could be difficult with pace either side of him. And if there are any chinks in his armour, the presence of two marathon dogs in the field in the shape of Killishin Masai, a dog with good course and distance form, and Santiago Lad could see him denied even after an early lead.

Recommended Bets
Lay Aherlow Shaw @ [4.1] in the 19:40 @ Swindon
Lay Bush Paddy @ [3.25] in the 21:10 @ Swindon

The title of this column may suggest a dubious night out in Essex but the Lord intends to stay on the straight and narrow with some smart selections......

The Lord livens up the midweek dogs fare by taking on the big boys at Notts......

The Lord selects a pair of dogs to oppose in tonight's South Yorkshire action......

Betfair website

The Lord's Greyhounds News: Betfair Trainers Champ hopefuls go eyeball-to-eyeball ... over lunch

Greyhounds News / The Lord / 02 March 2011 / Leave a Comment

Who will emerge triumphant this year?

"Derby favourites Boher Paddy (Lister) and Droopys Oscar (Cahill) will represent their kennels at the Betfair Trainer's Championship, it really will be one of the meetings of the year."

The Lord rounds up all the big stories from the sport

Today (March 2) sees the now traditional Betfair Trainers' Championship meeting luncheon which this year takes place at the Cannizaro House Hotel, Wimbledon, south-west London.
So, taking centre-stage will be champion trainer Seamus Cahill, his predecessors for that title Mark Wallis and Charlie Lister, plus Chris Allsopp, Pat Rosney and Paul Young.
The six are at the lunch, and therefore the chief protagonists at the trainers' shootout at Wimbledon live on Sky Sports on March 22, courtesy of finishing as the top six trainers of 2010. And the countdown to that lucrative and exciting occasion begins today!
Come March 22, eight trainers will provide eight greyhounds for eight races over a variety of distances. And when you think the likes of the Derby champions of the past two years, Bandicoot Tipoki and Kinda Ready will line up for Charlie Lister and Mark Wallis respectively, plus the likes of Derby favourites Boher Paddy (Lister) and Droopys Oscar (Cahill) will represent their kennels, it really will be one of the meetings of the year.

Meanwhile, Blue Artisan was the star of the show at Wimbledon on Tuesday when the Sky-covered Racing Post Juvenile was the showpiece event.
In what turned out a messy race as fast-starting Mill Bling Bling and Razldazl Jayfkay came together at the first bend, Harry Willliams's Gymcrack champion powered through against the rails to win going away from the unlucky Mill Bling Bling and Boher Paddy, who also got held up.
It was a deserved success for trainer Williams, who suffered real heartache last year when the same dog was withdrawn from the Select Stakes after Williams got held up n terrible traffic en route to Nottingham from Bishop Auckland.

Star of the supporting card at Wimbledon was the performance of Bandicoot Tipoki who rolled back the years as he returned to the scene of his greatest triumph, last year's Derby, to win in the fastest time of the night.

As a postscript to Wimbledon, Razldazl Jayfkay's brother Monleek Merc goes under the hammer at Hall Green's sale on Sunday (March 6) morning. The two-year-old is a Dundalk winner.

London & Quadrant, the owners of Walthamstow Stadium, are failing the tax-payer. That is the latest accusation to be levelled at the housing association by the Save Our Stow campaign.
SOS confidence in their own attempts to prove that L&Q may be landbanking the famous site have been boosted by research which appears to show that plans to be build housing on the land could result in a loss of £25m.
"There are some key points that our own property and planning experts have shown that highlight flaws in L&Q's plans," said one source. "And that's if they really have any plans at all, apart from landbanking."
Bob Morton, the three-time Derby-winning owner, remains committed to brokering a deal that will see greyhound racing return to Walthamstow as part of a wider leisure development.

Racing this week continues at top pace!
Thursday sees the start of the Ladbrokes Midland Puppy Derby, for which the Gary Newbon-owned, Nick Savva-trained Droopys Greg goes to traps as favourite for the 36-dog stake, while on Saturday Shawfield begins the countdown to the first Classic of the year with trial stakes for the Scottish Derby in April.

The Lord rounds up all the big stories from the sport...

With a busy week in prospect, the Lord fills us in on the latest goings on from down the dogs......

A big month is in store at the south west London track with the Sky cameras set to broadcast live on two occasions...

Betfair website

The Lord's Greyhounds News: Get set for a bumper week

Greyhounds News / The Lord / 24 February 2011 / Leave a Comment

Good times roll at Wimbledon

"It’s all about the youngsters on Tuesday with a quite brilliant line-up for the £5,000 Juvenile... "

With a busy week in prospect, the Lord fills us in on the latest goings on from down the dogs...

Eyes down for a sparkling few days of greyhound racing with the final of the Golden Jacket at Crayford on Saturday (BAGS/SIS) followed by a gala card at Wimbledon on Tuesday for Racing Post Juvenile night (Sky) - in which a number of possible runners in the upcoming Betfair Trainers' Championship are being given a taste of Plough Lane ahead of the big night on March 22.

Of course, it's all about the youngsters on Tuesday with a quite brilliant line-up for the £5,000 Juvenile, arguably the best there has ever been. It might be missing the outstanding but ill-fated Rayvin Giovanni and his one-time kennel companion Droopys Oscar, but the six going to traps over 480m live on Sky Sports next week ooze class nevertheless.

Derby favourite Boher Paddy will lead Charlie Lister's challenge as he bids to make it seven wins from seven in the UK; Lister's great rival Nick Savva sends out two of last year's major puppy race winners Westmead Maldini (Northern Puppy Derby) and Westmead Shaw (Henlow Puppy Derby), while from Ireland Dolores Ruth brings over the precocious Razldazl Jayfkay.

He is the dog whom Ruth had said was destined for stardom at 12 months old, and he's progressing along very nicely, thank-you. And with Ireland in mind, Kelly Macari has last year's Irish Puppy Derby third in her kennel in the shape of Mill Bling Bling, while completing the field is the Harry Williams-trained Blue Artisan, the brilliant Gymcrack winner of last year.

It is a line-up that has the purists purring. But Tuesday is also about Lister warming his team up for the Betfair Trainers' Championship as he sends out the likes of Jordansoilutions and Was Not Me, although interestingly Lister is not represented in the six-bend or sprint events where three of his rivals on March 22, Mark Wallis, Seamus Cahill and Chris Allsopp, do have runners.
*

Tuesday at Wimbledon sees a fantastic on-paper clash between the last two English Derby winners in the shape of Kinda Ready (2009) and last year's Classic hero Bandicoot Tipoki.

It really is something special to behold, and add to the line-up last year's Irish Champion Stakes winner Makeshift and Produce Stakes hero Saint Jack and racegoers at Wimbledon, not to mention those watching at home, are in for a thriller.
*

Sadly a three-way clash between Grand National winner Plane Daddy, Irish Grand National winner Junior Mac and in-form Sizzlers Spirit in the hurdles race on Tuesday has been thwarted. Plane Daddy is out for a month, likewise Junior Mac.

It means Sizzlers Spirit has an easier assignment, albeit with Springbok champ Clonkeen Theo among the opposition.
*

Wimbledon, the area, really is flavour of the month just now. Fantastic crowds at the greyhound racing and now talk of AFC Wimbledon looking for a new ground. The former one-time darlings of Plough Lane, giant-killing FA Cup winners against Liverpool, are now based at Kingstonians ground but would prefer a base back in home borough Merton - and that is exactly where the dogs are.

"It just makes sense," said one insider. "The greyhound track has undergone changes, the track is suddenly showing potential and moving in the local football side, a progressive one it should be said, and probably heading back to the football league, would be perfect. Football by day, and the dogs in the evening. Ideal."
*

Waltham Forest councillors are due to meet representatives of Stow owners London & Quadrant to try and understand the housing association's delayed plans for the iconic site.

"The council is getting fed up and frustrated at the lack of progress with Walthamstow Stadium," said one insider. "There is a blatant case of land-banking going on at the cost of tax-payers. We're not far from one or two ultimatums being delivered to the door of L&Q."

With a busy week in prospect, the Lord fills us in on the latest goings on from down the dogs......

A big month is in store at the south west London track with the Sky cameras set to broadcast live on two occasions...

Trainers get in the mood for March 1 showdown, talking dog puts up and will they let the dogs out at Kempton and Towcester?...

Betfair website

The Lord's Greyhounds News: All eyes on Wimbledon

Greyhounds News / The Lord / 16 February 2011 / Leave a Comment

The Betfair Trainers' Championship returns to the south for the 2011 edition

"Juvenile night at Wimbledon will see the six handlers to be represented in the Betfair Trainers' Championship put a number of their potential team through their paces."

A big month is in store at the south west London track with the Sky cameras set to broadcast live on two occasions

Wimbledon dominates the Sky schedule for the next month with the Racing Post Juvenile on March 1 followed by the Betfair Trainers' Championship on March 22.
But the Sky slot on March 30 is still under some doubt, with Swindon lacking a sponsor for the Arc competition.
"It's quite up in the air just now," said one industry source. "Swindon were committed to the slot, but have had difficulties striking a deal with a backer. Other tracks are now looking to perhaps take the slot from Swindon, if it suits both parties and the broadcaster.
"The betting still favours the cameras rolling up at Swindon on March 30, but this whole episode has again put the Sky scheduling issue into focus. In the future the big races will take precedence, and the lesser events will have to fit in it seems."

Juvenile night at Wimbledon will also see the six handlers to be represented in the Betfair Trainers' Championship put a number of their potential team through their paces.
Boher Paddy will probably 'captain' Charlie Lister's team as the Derby favourite. He goes in the Juvenile itself, while a number of his kennelmates are also currently trialling with a view to making up Lister's eight-strong team for the shootout later in the month.
Trainers will have to provide runners for standard races, stayers events and a puppy race.
One open-race judge, looking at previous winner Lister's likely line-up, said: "It will be interesting to see how Charlie sees the six-bend races. Carbarns Tom has been a stalwart of his for the past two years but he's now retired and Droopys Belletti recently joined Ted Soppitt. But he still has Droopys Alma, who is top-class at best, although is on the way back after injury. But Charlie is a master of selecting his team."

Talking of the Betfair Trainers' Championship, Lister will be joined by his rivals for the lucrative one-off - champion trainer Seamus Cahill, Mark Wallis, Chris Allsopp, Pat Rosney and Paul Young - at the now traditional Trainers' Championship lunch, backed by Betfair, in London on March 2.

Group Skater and Lorrys Options both won their heats of the Golden Jacket at Crayford on Friday night, and must have created some sort of record in doing so.
The pair are the winners of the last two Golden Jackets. Group Skater, the Irish raider, won last year and Lorrys Options in 2009.
Victory in his heat completed a great comeback from the Dean Childs-trained Lorrys Options, whose Golden Jacket campaign ended after a few strides last year. He is aiming to be the first greyhound to regain the title.
The semi-finals take place at Crayford's morning BAGS meeting this Saturday, and boast real Irish interest with Irish pair Group Skater and Thatll Do Jack, both trained by Paul Hennessy, going head-to-head in one of the three semis.

Sunderland is the next track to feature a BAGS/SIS 500 competition.
The graded sweepstake is proving a popular, and relatively lucrative, event and will see each of the 17 BAGS track stage three graded heats and a final, each worth £500 with added heat and run prize-money. Sunderland hosts its heats on Thursday.
Belle Vue this week hosts its final, and for the Manchester track it will the first of three such competitions, as the initiative is set to be rolled out throughout the year after this initial round.

The battle for Walthamstow Stadium will this week be staged at council level.
Waltham Forest Council is under pressure from residents and the Save Our Stow campaign to help negotiate a deal to buy the famous site from London & Quadrant.
"Meetings this week and next will help put further pressure on L&Q," said one source close to the issue. "They will be shown to be landbanking the site, which will count heavily against them in any planning permission application."

A big month is in store at the south west London track with the Sky cameras set to broadcast live on two occasions...

Trainers get in the mood for March 1 showdown, talking dog puts up and will they let the dogs out at Kempton and Towcester?...

Our inside man rounds up all the latest stories from the game...

Betfair website

The Lord's Greyhounds News: Countdown to the Trainers' Champ

Greyhounds News / The Lord / 10 February 2011 / Leave a Comment

The Betfair Trainers' Championship takes place on March 1

"Wimbledon on Tuesday also gave a lot of people their first sighting of Dolores Ruth's talking dog Razldazl Jayfkay. And the Irish raider didn't disappoint."

Trainers get in the mood for March 1 showdown, talking dog puts up and will they let the dogs out at Kempton and Towcester?

The countdown to the Betfair Trainers' Championship pretty much began at Wimbledon's Springbok meeting on Sky on Tuesday when four of the six trainers who will line up in the eight-race shootout at Plough Lane on March 22 had runners.

Seamus Cahill, Mark Wallis, Charlie Lister and Chris Allsopp were all represented on the card as they gave some of their likely team experience of Wimbledon, and that is likely to happen again for the next Sky meeting, also at Wimbledon, on March 1.

That's the night of the Juvenile Championship and Wallis, Lister, Allsopp and Cahill are sure to have some of the best on show in the main event and supporting card. And Pat Rosney and Paul Young, the two trainers who make up the six for the Betfair Trainers' Championship, are sure to join the fray

*

Wimbledon on Tuesday also gave a lot of people their first sighting of Dolores Ruth's talking dog Razldazl Jayfkay. And the Irish raider didn't disappoint.

He found trouble in the race won by Saint Jack, but on a track clearly favouring the outside, he showed admirable gears to challenge for the lead on a couple of occasions.
Inexperience might just have cost him, but Razldazl Jayfkay, along with his brother Razldazl George, also beaten on the night when also finding bother, will be back.

*

The Champagne Club is looking forward to the Derby with interest after the purchase of Razldazl Joe from Dolores Ruth's kennel.

Bubbly Razldazl is now the dog's name and he boasts some very decent Irish form.
The Club will be hoping he can follow the likes of Bubbly Totti and Bubbly Maestro, both of whom ran with great credit for the members in the Classic.

*

Betfair Prestige winner Blue Bee heads a very strong field for the Golden Jacket, one of greyhound racing's most popular competitions, which starts at Crayford on Friday.

Matt Dartnall's bitch has a peach of a draw on the inside in heat two over the Kent track's 714m and is a leading contender for outright honours along with the Jacket's two previous winners Lorrys Options and Group Skater, who both return to Crayford.

*

Kinda Ready is on the comeback trail. The 2009 Derby champion led home highly rated Romeo Reason in a 480m trial at Wimbledon on Tuesday and ultimately has another crack at the Classic as his main target.

He is almost sure to be part of Mark Wallis's team for the Betfair Trainers' Championship, but might also take in the Scottish Derby en route to Wimbledon.

*

Finally, efforts to introduce greyhound racing at horse racing tracks such as Towcester and Kempton are continuing. But as yet nothing has been confirmed.
One source said: "It's hoped to put a track in at Towcester, but things might well kick off with ball-hare racing up a straight there.

"And that's also the plan with Kempton providing the sport's authorities agree to trials, and the track itself is happy. The lure of greyhound racing in front of packed grandstands, just as was the case at Cheltenham a few years back, could be tough to resist.

"Greyhound racing seems to be staging something of a comeback with big crowds reported, and one of two extremely positive announcements for the sport imminent."

Trainers get in the mood for March 1 showdown, talking dog puts up and will they let the dogs out at Kempton and Towcester?...

Our inside man rounds up all the latest stories from the game...

Romford brings together Killishin Masai, Droopys Djokovic and Ayamzagirl for a one-off, £2,000, winner-takes-all special at Romford on Friday...

Betfair website