Sky-Televised Greyhounds Betting: All about the Blondes

Sky Previews / The Lord / 05 April 2012 / Leave a Comment

Romford is the venue for Friday night's action

"Harrys Blonde (21:48) was a star puppy last year but has had problems, so it was good to see him back on track, and winning, last week. He might show the necessary improvement stepped back up to open class. He can lead up."

Some fantastic Easter action in prospect on Racing Post Greyhound TV kicks off tonight with open races at Hove and Henlow as the Classic season approaches, and on the eve of a terrific Golden Sprint at Romford. And our man The Lord is across it all.

Starting tonight, and a last chance for punters to feast on Henlow as Monmore replaces the Bedfordshire track next week for the summer season. Henlow is likely to return to the RPGTV screens later in the year, however.

Catching the eye early on is sprinter Funny Lari (19:54) who was hardly disgraced here last week and should improve for the experience, while rapid improver Flaming Honey (20:26) might well get first run again on Scramble over four bends.

Harrys Blonde (21:48) was a star puppy last year but has had problems, so it was good to see him back on track, and winning, last week. He might show the necessary improvement stepped back up to open class. He can lead up.

Ballymac William's (10:03) trap one draw catches the eye and this preferred trailblazer can return to winning ways over 550m, while first-run potential makes Westmead Armour (22:18) attractive as he bids for revenge against strong Hey Kiddo.

Hove kicks off with Get On Paris (19:31) set to improve for her first run back last week and stay stronger, before Sheffield raider Cals Goinghome (20:18) shows likely improvement from last week's first run at Hove to strike over the four bends.
Royal Premium cannot be trusted over hurdles but it's certainly a race to watch at 20:34, but Ballymac Eugenie (20:50) has the draw and some smart 475m form to outgun a real threat from improving Droopys Betson.

Blonde Kimber (21:06) will improve for a solid open-race debut last week, while trap three is better for Droopys Oscar (21:24) after he was hemmed in against the rails at Perry Barr last time. He should continue his rise back up to the top. Hats My Lady (21:56) could be tough to hold in the bitch's contest late on.

Onto tomorrow and Romford stages one of the best meetings of the year for fans of brute speed as 36 of the quickest greyhounds around begin their quest for gold in the heats of the Golden Sprint over 400m.

Six heats take place and the stars are out in force, kicking off with Blonde Snapper (19:46) who gets the vote after his terrific run last week; likewise his conqueror on the night - Drumcove Lad (20:02) - will prefer the midfield draw in heat two.

Lil Risky (20:18) can get back on track in heat three, although only his best start will do after a disappointing effort latest, while Swabys Tony (20:34) has a great draw in a very competitive qualifier for heat four.

Heat five sees Mountjoy Osprey (20:50) try to get back on track, but like Lil Risky, he must do everything right after a heavy defeat last time, while the final heat sees Slick Sian (21:06) helped by the fact that nearest rival Nans Turbo will rail from three.

Henlow Thursday

Funny Lari (19:54)
Flaming Honey (20:26)
Harrys Blonde (21:48)
Ballymac William (10:03)
Westmead Armour (22:18)

Hove Thursday

Get On Paris (19:31)
Cals Goinghome (20:18)
Ballymac Eugenie (20:50)
Blonde Kimber (21:06)
Droopys Oscar (21:24)
Hats My Lady (21:56)

Romford Friday

Blonde Snapper (19:46)
Drumcove Lad (20:02)
Lil Risky (20:18)
Swabys Tony (20:34)
Mountjoy Osprey (20:50)
Slick Sian (21:06)

The Betfair Trainers Championship - the ultimate battle between the nation's top six trainers - is fought out at Perry Barr this Wednesday evening and it's all live on Sky Sports. But can anyone stop Charlie Lister from winning the...

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...

Swindon's Arc final - live on Sky Sports on Thursday night - looks an absolute belter and it's possible to argue a case for almost the entire field, but track-record holder Sids Dream may just prove too speedy says Darrell...

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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......

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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...

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Greyhounds Betting: Derby contenders battle for Betfair Blue Riband

Events / The Lord / 17 April 2011 / Leave a Comment

The Betfair Blued Riband final goes off on Tuesday

"Westmead Guru could be tough to hold if blazing a trail. And remember he knows Hall Green well, he started his career here!"

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.

Coming just after the weekend's first Classic of the season at Shawfield, the Scottish Derby final, Tuesday's race will see the Sky cameras beam top-class greyhound racing into our living rooms for the second time in four days.

Some £8,000 is up for grabs in the Betfair Blue Riband final and the line-up is bolstered by a number of leading contenders for the Derby at Wimbledon, headed by Monmore Puppy Derby runner-up Express Shuttle.

He lines up from trap one and kicks off my run down of the six greyhounds gunning for glory...

Trap 1: Express Shuttle (Chris Allsopp)

Came over with a big reputation from Ireland and has not disappointed. Famously led in the Monmore decider until the stirring finish of wonder pup Droopys Greg denied him late on. Ran a great race given the trouble he found at Wimbledon on Trainers' Championship night to claim valuable points for Allsopp. Boasts great early pace which laid the foundation for an impressive success in the heats at Hall Green, but will be edging out to the middle from trap one in the decider.

Trap 2: Westmead Guru (Kelly Findlay)

This strapping near 39-kilo dog certainly knows how to put his weight round. Could dive inwards or outwards from this pitch and backers of the favourite inside will be hoping he turns right! Winner of the Henlow Derby he certainly has a big-race pedigree and is being geared towards Wimbledon and the English Derby. Helped by having a wide-mover outside and could be tough to hold if blazing a trail. And remember he knows Hall Green well, he started his career here!

Trap 3: Springwell Hot (Bob Hall)

This local runner has excelled in a competition which represented a steep rise in class. In the form of his life, he's been like a fine wine of late, maturing with age. He's a veteran performer now, no less. Must trap in the style he has shown of late, particularly in heat and semi which showed a mark improvement from recent A1 contests. Can he do it again now pitched in the middle?

Trap 4: Johnnys Way (Nick Colton)

Trainer Colton is looking for a quickfire Sky big-race double after Jolly Poacher in the Arc at Swindon. The kennel is red-hot just now and this two-year-old is doing them proud. Ran on strongly to finish second in the semis, but it's difficult to see him strike a blow unless there's a Jolly Poacher-type start. And with Springwell Hot moving off from three, trouble looms at the turn. But equally any trouble up front could see him cause a shock as, like Sweeps Hill, he's strong from halfway

Trap 5: Alfies Options (Dean Childs)

Led almost from start to finish in the semis and clearly packs an early punch required to lead on the outer. If anything he slightly stumbled on exiting the boxes in the semis before pacing up well to the turn. A cleaner break, and he might just be the improver in the field to upset some of the shorter-priced runners. Indeed, that might be a necessity because both trap three and four will be swinging off at the turn. Thankfully for supporters, there is a zero pace outside. Always highly regarded, Alfies Options is no strong runner but this 480m is easier than Swindon's where he struggled to last home in the Arc.

Trap 6: Sweeps Hill (Craig Andrews)

Like Springwell Hot he's a Hall Green ever-present and that is worth two lengths here. A fast finisher who struggles to go with the early pace, crowding amongst the leaders is a must for him to strike gold. Nevertheless he is brilliantly drawn and could well get a gorgeous tow round behind earlybird Alfies Options. And were Express Shuttle and Westmead Guru to tangle he could find himself turning closer up the field than is usually the case. And noone wants this strong runner on their shoulder off the last bend.

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"...

Three to be against in the Sky-televised action from Doncaster...

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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."

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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......

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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...

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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.
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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.
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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.
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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."
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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?...

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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...

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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...

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