What The Papers Say!!

Greyhounds: Open Check: Savings set to pass stern test at Nottingham

Published: 27/01/2003 (Greyhound Features)

ALL eyes will be on Nottingham tonight when Top Savings faces his latest test on the comeback trail and, make no mistake, the 10.07pm over 500m is a test.
Charlie Lister's dog could hardly have been more impressive when making a winning return at Monmore two Saturdays ago, but now not only faces a couple of in-form rivals in the shape of Droopys Fowler and Frisby Fassan, but also a draw outside earlybird Lightening Ri.
There is little doubt that the last-named could be troublesome for Top Savings on the dash to the bend, but it is the sort of hazard he is going to have to cope with in the bigger competitions.
The current Derby favourite is fancied to turn handy at worst before opening up in style along the back stretch.
All in all it could be quite a benefit for the Lister kennel at Nottingham as he has strong chances in all of the five opens in which he is represented.
Out Of Trouble can overcome a potentially tricky draw in four in the opening puppy race over 500m at 7.52pm, although watch here for Farloe Target, who could hardly have been more eye-catching in defeat last week.
Cushie Tara had to work hard before justifying favouritism over the course and distance seven days ago, but it will be a brave man who opposes her in the 8.22pm over 500m.
National Sprint fourth Hawk Eye Hunt can complete a double after a Monmore win by taking the 8.52pm over 300m, while China Jet is drawn to make it a brace of his own in the 9.07pm over 500m.
The other open at Nottingham offers the bet of the evening in the shape of Drum Shane Boy, who can make it five wins from six starts. One of those came impressively round here on December 30, and anything like a repeat of that level of performance should see him comfortably get first run on Nikkis Flyer.
Crayford next, where the feature is the appearance of Betfair Dot Com in the 9.30pm over 714m after Jim Reynolds' bitch moved sweetly in a midweek four-bend trial.
It has long been my view that a sharp eight bends would prove well within her compass as she is best when allowed to dominate, and seems to have extra in reserve when push comes to shove.
The other race to concentrate on at Crayford is another of the Golden Jacket trial stakes over 714m trip at 8.45pm, with Bobs Diana fancied to overcome the lack of previous course knowledge.
There is no better way to learn the way around Crayford than from the front, and that is where Mick Cliffe's bitch is fancied to be; she can repel all challengers.
Finally to Perry Barr for three heats of the Elmdon Stakes over 480m, where Ballinclare Jake catches the eye in the second. He made a big impression at the back-end of last year at some of the minor tracks and it will be interesting to see how he performs on a bigger stage during his 2003 campaign.
Other heat fancies are Trillionaire and Attykitt Lion.

FULL CIGAR can justify the decision to offer him a wildcard invitation into tonight's Racing Post Juvenile Championship over 460m at Wimbledon (9.45pm) by capitalising on a terrific make-up to take the pounds 3,000 prize - and produce yet another top class performance in front of the Sky Sports cameras in the process.
Already in a relatively short career to date, armchair viewers have seen him put in a creditable effort in the final of the Gymcrack at Hall Green, win the all-aged William Hill Laurels at Belle Vue and then produce arguably one of the performances of his career when chasing home Blue Gooner in the North-South 475m challenge at the Racing Post Festival at Walthamstow in November.
Liz McNair's dog is two from four since that Stow run, both wins coming at his favourite track Belle Vue, but the Scottish raider has probably done even better in trials, with a flying 27.77sec over tonight's course and distance followed by an equally impressive 27.86sec for 450m at Shawfield.
Granted equitable underfoot conditions, Full Cigar would be a strong fancy from trap one and the consensus seems to be that, if anything, railers are favoured during the present cold snap. Pioneer Lass in two will certainly not hinder his path to the bend and he can turn handy at worst before really opening up along the back straight.
With five railers in the field, the temptation is to think that On Line Deal must be plotted as the sole wide seed, but the Puppy Derby winner tends to make for the inside at the bend himself so it might not be as straightforward as it first seems. Clearly Paul Young's dog cannot be badly drawn with confirmed railer Knockeevan Magic on his inside in five, but he is rarely a pinger and may not be able to take full advantage.
Louis Saha understandably delighted connections with his trial on Friday, his first four-bend workout since injury forced him out of the Laurels in October. Beaten odds-on favourite behind On Line Deal in the Puppy Derby final, Barrie Draper's dog is suited by a middle draw so trap four in itself is not a concern, although he will have to look lively at the start unless Knockeevan Magic could be across him.
The last-named can be forgiven his trial behind Rocked Express and On Line Deal on Friday - putting the trio in together was surely asking for trouble on someone's behalf - but it really is hard to see Peter Rich's Romford Puppy Cup winner securing any sort of run.
Droopys Fowler currently seems just below the standards he was setting when winning at the Stow Festival and has it to do, and Pioneer Lass is asked a huge question as this stage of her comeback.
As is usually the case at this meeting when there is not much competition from other tracks, there is a cracking supporting card - highlighted by the Racing Post Standard over 460m at 9.25pm, a race which ought to provide plenty of early Derby pointers.
Droopys Corleone is clearly pretty straight for this first outing since the Yarmouth Derby final in September judging by his trial work, but he could be `pincered' on the run to the bend by pingers Shevchenko and Haughty Ted and faces no easy task. Seskin Robert has the tricky problem of clearing Knockevan Hollie so the only runner seemingly assured a run is Oaks heroine Purley Queen and she comes into the race on a high having landed another title in the John White Christmas Cracker.
Skelligs Mick appeals in the first televised contest over 460m at 7.40pm, although this is a race which will tell us plenty about underfoot conditions and is not one to steam into too heavily, while Nialls Star, lack of a look round notwithstanding, has seemingly everything going for him in the puppy open at 8pm over the same trip, and Single File is a pretty obvious choice at 8.35pm
Smoking Baby should prove a class apart in the 868m marathon at 8.15pm, likewise Ballyvorda Class in the 460m hurdles at 8.50pm, but the bet of the night could come in the 9.10pm over 660m where Keltie Sparkler is strongly fancied.
She ran the track well in the Oaks even though the trip was too short and this long run to the bend should allow her to get to, or somewhere near, the front. A trial at the Stow last week ought to have blown a few post-Christmas cobwebs away and she is preferred to trackmate Betfair Dot Com.

Off the leash

Published: 04/01/2003 (Greyhound News) Muttley

JUST as the Horserace Tote announced plans to cut its win and place retention came news that the GRA upped its on Boxing Day to a mindless 30 per cent, which equates to a book of 143 per cent. The GRA's usual bandit rate is `just' 27 per cent (a 137 per cent book). So what are the iniquitous charges that has prompted the horseracing review? 16 per cent (win) and 24 per cent (place). News that Betfair only took off by offering punters value has yet to reach the GRA bigwigs.
NO matter how impressive Tuesday's Racing Post Juvenile winner is, punters will do well to heed the lessons of last year when there was a mad scramble to get on Top Savings for the Derby after his brilliant victory. Prices as short as 7-2 for the premier Classic were taken in the aftermath of the run; I'd want bigger than that price a dog actually making it to the Derby at this stage.
BETFAIR DOT COM has been running so well that she has been entered for the Juvenile gala on Tuesday, and her trainer Jim Reynolds is eyeing the Ladbrokes Golden Jacket. Muttley wonders if he is being mischievous. This noted critic of bookmaker-owned tracks is surely well aware just how much the Magic Sign dislikes Betfair.
ISO GRA owners, fed up with being told `jam tomorrow' in relation to their demands for prize-money increases, are threatening a boycott of restaurant and catering facilities. Given the restaurant is always top of the list for discussion at any GRA board meeting, what a cunning way to give the topic a high profile with `the suits'.
The list of those expected to attend Tuesday's New Deal meeting is like a `Who's Who' of the training world. But given the Churchillian manner in which the BGRB's Geoffrey Thomas has launched his battle campaign, surely he has flouted a basic law of trench warfare in gathering all his leading players in the one place and beforehand announcing the fact? Watch out for mustard gas in the air-conditioning guys.

BETFAIR DOT COM
Top Honcho-Droopys Kylie June 00
Trainer: Jim Reynolds
Has gone from strength to strength since returning from seasonal rest and again showed just how effective she is when able to go off the front with a fine win at Walthamstow on Boxing Day. That 640m trip is the longest she has won over to date, but she seems to have the ability to pull more out when required and could be a lively sort for sharp eight-bend distances, with the Ladbroke Golden Jacket at Crayford one obvious early season target.
BLONDE RANGER
Come On Ranger-Covert Blossom May 01
Trainer: John Mullins
Potentially two for the price of one with this dog as he will be some performer if he strengthens up a little to allow him to see out `proper' four-bend trips, but there is always the option of keeping him to shorter races, even of the two-bend variety, if he does not. For my money, the quickest pup to the bend of the current crop, although his trapping can leave a little to be desired and can be brushed up on.
FARLOE HACK
Staplers Jo-Farloe Dingle Sep 00
Trainer: Barrie Draper
Winner of the Racing Post Maiden Derby at the Walthamstow Festival, but to my mind he achieved more when short-headed by Shevchenko at Wimbledon on Oaks final night. Showed serious middle to pass the Gold Collar winner and saw out the stiff trip pretty well, only succumbing in the final stride. Natural progression would make him a serious Classic player and is likely to be campaigned as such.
FELLSIDE DIAMOND
Prince Of Tinrah-Wills Dancer July 00
Trainer: Wayne Brunt
Holes can be knocked in the form of her ultra eye-catching short-head defeat in a Nottingham final over 902m on Eclipse final night in November, but there can be little doubt that she is going the right way. Once again, the marathon division is shorn of progressive sorts, but she is definitely that and is now recovered from a muscle injury. If Nottingham is any guide, we could be in for plenty of thrills this year with her `Scurlogue'-like style of running.
FULL CIGAR
Frisby Full-Have A Cigar Oct 00
Trainer: Liz McNair
Sunderland regulars could be forgiven for wondering what all the fuss was about regarding this dog as he has never seemed at his best round there. But Belle Vue suits, as wins in the Laurels and Manchester Puppy Cup show, and he flew round Wimbledon in a pre-Juvenile trial last weekend. Put in a brilliant performance when second to Blue Gooner in the North/South Challenge at Walthamstow in November and has genuine Derby claims.
LEARN AND EARN
Split The Bill-Borna Belle Jan 01
Trainer: Charlie Lister
Winner of four of his five races since arriving from Ireland and recently transferred into the charge of Charlie Lister. His only British defeat came in a red-hot puppy open won by Pond Neptune on Eclipse final night at Nottingham, while he had reached the Irish Puppy Derby quarters before coming over. Really motors from two-to-three, but fast-trapping style will stand him in good stead when it comes to securing a run.
POND NEPTUNE
Top Honcho-Creaking Empress Apr 01
Trainer: Harry Williams
Has been sensibly campaigned and it has almost been perceptible the way in which the penny has slowly dropped. His trainer is convinced he is not as devoid of early zip as some of his off-the-pace runs suggest, and it is more that he had not learned the art of trapping. He certainly improved in that respect when accounting for a high-class field at Nottingham in November and looks tailor-made for the Derbys, especially at Shawfield and Shelbourne.
SILBURY JOCASTA
Split The Bill-Silbury Blues Mar 01
Trainer: Tom Foster
A speculative choice. Anything she does of note will be when given a test of stamina as she is far from the quickest over four bends, which was only too obvious when running in front of the Sky cameras at Wimbledon on Oaks final night. But she had shown more than a little promise in the Puppy Oaks heats with some sterling late work and is a half-sister to a Leger semi-finalist in Silbury Swallow.
SUNSET EAGLE
Always Good-Ryecourt Venture Dec 00
Trainer: Wally Dewberry
Reached the final of the Racing Post Puppy Stayers at the Walthamstow Festival, but was well below par that night and reportedly finished sore. However, his heat effort when he did an enormous amount of running just to qualify is perhaps a better guide to his ability, as are earlier wins when first stepped up to six bends at Harlow. Looks just the sort to mop up if kept away from the very top company.
VIGOROUS ROBBY
Eyeman-Kilcaroon Trix Jan 01
Trainer: Linda Jones
The third of the `squad for 2003' to have run in the hot puppy open at Nottingham on Eclipse final night (he was third to Pond Neptune), and already a dual Category One finalist having reached the Romford Puppy Cup and Regal Puppy Derby deciders. Impressed when giving start and a beating to Blonde Ranger at Romford on December 10 and should build up into a serious greyhound with more experience than his eight races to date.

A MONSTER crowd turned out at Walthamstow yesterday and despite the sticky conditions on the track there were some high class efforts, with local handler Linda Jones's enjoying a successful day courtesy of Prince Toff landing the Boxing Day Puppy Standard final.
Sent off at odds of 8-13, the May 2001 son of Jamella Prince soon took command and, once in front, this progressive type ploughed through the heavy going to win going away by just over four lengths from kennelmate Twotone. The winner covering the 475m trip in 29.49sec.
Dallas Cowboy showed a cracking turn of early pace when landing the Boxing Day Half Grand Standard final. Ernie Gaskin's dog was not the best away from the traps, but soon picked up the pace to lead at the first bend and opening up down the farside, he held on to his healthy lead and crossed the line just under three lengths clear of Athlacca Radio in 29.89sec.
Deejay Scores continued the fine run for the Gaskin camp when landing division two of the Boxing Day Standard over 475m. Making the most of his plum trap one slot, he was soon well clear following crowding amongst the others and, despite coming back to his rivals in the latter stages, still had over two lengths to spare over Dan The Slippy - who ran a blinder after encountering all kinds of traffic problems. The winner posted 29.65sec.
There was some thrilling action on the supporting card with Betfair Dot Com stealing the show in the top division of the Stayers. Well away, Jim Reynolds' bitch showed great courage rounding the first two bends to poach an early lead and, once in front never looked in danger, eventually crossing the line two lengths ahead in 40.99sec.
A spokesman for the Betfairers Syndicate said. "For a June 2000 bitch she is very lighty raced. We have always thought a lot of her and the way she races into the fifth bend is remarkable. Hopefully she can progress further next year."

SMOKING BABY landed odds of 1-7 in the heats of the Storetodoor Marathon with the minimum of fuss over 840m at Walthamstow a week ago and Derek Knight's bitch can pass a slightly sterner test to land the pounds 1,500 final at 10.03pm tonight.
Calculated times may only give Smoking Baby an advantage of five spots on the clock compared to the other heat winner Code Harts, but more pertinent is surely the November 9 formline round here when Knight's bitch had that rival over nine lengths back in third.
Smoking Baby likes to race up with the pace, but she does not have to lead to win, but she should certainly be in front when it matters this evening.
Toms Little Jo can again show just how effective he is at the Stow by taking the 10.17pm over 475m.
Gary Baggs's dog loves trap one as it lets him get into the argument going round the first bend and he can come through to outstay Hopeful Moment.
Betfair Dot Com has marched rapidly up the staying ranks in recent weeks and Jim Reynolds' bitch can make it five wins in six starts by taking the 9.21pm over 640m. Her only defeat came in the stayers' final at last month's Racing Post Festival and there would be more than a few punters now prepared to back her were that contest re-run.
Sheffield has the heats of two competitions with the 720m williamhill.co.uk Stayers Trophy getting underway alongside the 500m Harry Holmes Memorial.
Frisby Folly, on a recovery mission after a recent odds-on Wimbledon reverse on Oaks final night , looks good in heat two of the stayers, a modest opening heat in which can go to Cherry Andy.
The final heat of the Harry Holmes could easily have been a stayers' race itself as half the field are down in distance, with Frisby Fassan just preferred to Magna Mint.
Royston John and a returning Call Me Billy are other suggestions in this competition.
Ken Bebbington looks the man to follow at Monmore where he can land a double courtesy of Winged Runner and April Playboy.
The first-named is brilliantly drawn in a 684m event at 8.58pm and can quickly settle the issue, while the last-named will have to look very lively at the start of his 416m open at 9.45pm, but is capable of overcoming the handicap of trap five.
Mildenhall has some surprisingly good racing with Gulliver Travels the main fancy when he goes in the 9.22pm over 545m.
Linda Jones's dog has generally been in good form recently - an early exit from the Essex Vase notwithstanding - and moved smoothly in a sprint trial here during the week.
Tomorrow sees the usual Sunday fixtures at Rye House and Sittingbourne

BLUE GOONER and El Ronan can both advertise their claims of being crowned Greyhound of the Year - voting for which by a press panel closes tomorrow - by respectively landing the Jem Racing Super Paws at Poole and Carlsberg Tetley Trophy at Sunderland tonight.
The Super Paws is the more valuable race at pounds 2,500 to the winner and is far from a foregone conclusion for Blue Gooner as he was beaten over a length by Lockup Firedice from the same trap draws in the semis last weekend.
However, the difference between the pair could well have come about due to a modest break from Blue Gooner which allowed his big rival first run. With normal service resumed at the boxes tonight, Brian Clemenson's dog can lead by the bend to reverse the form, although unexposed Toms Bluebell also has to be respected.
El Ronan also faces quite a test in the Sunderland final having plenty of time to find on the other heat winners after he was forced to accept a dead-heat last Saturday.
But it was some effort by Charlie Lister's dog to manage even that, and there is surely no doubt that he has better overall form than main rivals Farloe Whisper and Handy Money, so it will be a brave man who opposes him.
Walthamstow has a typical Thursday card with plenty of classy locals likely to take plenty of beating, none more so than Keltie Sparkler in the 9.05pm over 640m. John Mullins' bitch found the 480m of the Oaks too sharp so this return to six bends is ideal and she is preferred to Hasty Boy and Malbay Lizzie.
Betfair Dot Com did nothing wrong when beating Soviet Gypsy a week ago, but the last-named did not get much of a run early and soon faced a hopeless task.
Ernie Gaskin's bitch has bounced back in such circumstances before and is fancied to do so again in the 10.01pm over 640m, although no-one should be under any illusion that she is not facing a rapidly-improving rival.
The other race to catch the eye at the Stow is the 10.15pm over 475m where the run to the bend could be a bit congested out wide.
In the circumstances, Blonde Admiral makes a fair amount of appeal with a good run hopefully encouraging connections to keep him to four bends for the time being.
nJem Racing (Poole): 11-8 Blue Gooner, Lockup Firedice, 7-2 Toms Bluebell, 12 Bestoftrigger, Sore Paw.

ONE of the highlights in the calendar at Walthamstow, this year's Injured Jockeys Fund meeting at Walthamstow on Saturday was yet another star-studded affair with quality entertainment on and off the track.
Brough Scott, Racing Post communications director, said: "This event has taken place for ten years and in that period over pounds 100,000 has been raised. I'd like to thank everyone for their contributions to what is a good cause and long may it continue."
The first race of the evening failed to set the tone for the night's action. Only a four-dog contest, this was one of the most incident-packed races of the night. With favourite Ballyhoe Cyclone taking a tumble at the second bend, the trio of Drop Everything, Astoria Noir and Gardiners Dream were all locked in battle off the final bend. Bumping and barging their way to the finish, it was the latter who asserted in a slow 41.06sec.
However, the night was soon to get much livelier as host John McCririck picked up the microphone on the track to the cheers and jeers of racegoers, although I'm pretty certain the wolf whistles were for a stunning Marilyn Monroe lookalike, who nearly had McCririck lost for words. Need we say anymore!
Another beauty to light up the track was the 23 year old Desert Orchid (pictured), who looked in his element as he was paraded around the track. The Cheltenham Gold Cup winner proved very popular with the crowd.
Michael Hills, fresh from his big-race success in the Champion Stakes earlier in the afternoon at Newmarket, where he rode Storming Home for his father Barry, was in attendance along with fellow jockeys Oscar Urbina and Kevin Darley.
Hills said: "It's been quite a day. I always look forward to this night as it's for a very good cause and dog racing certainly puts on a good show. The facilities here are superb.
"My wife organizes events for the IJF and we are keen followers of greyhound racing. We own a dog that runs at Mildenhall and pop up there to watch it when we can."
There were some outstanding performances on the 14-race card, and it turned out be a good night for the locals with John Mullins landing the two big races.
Lockupfiredice was all the rage to win the final of the H.Smith Food Group PLC Stakes over 475m, and his followers were soon in full cry as he showed superior early pace to his rivals to open up a lead over kennelmate Palacemews Lad - just as he did in the first round. At the line he had enough in the tank to repel the fast-finishing Lislevane Twink and Palacemews Lad by half a length in a decent 28.89sec.
The Bet With MO At Sports Invitation race centered on Maxie Rumble and Toms Little Jo in the ring, the former just shading favoritism at 7-4.
As expected it was Storetodoor Gem that showed the best early pace, but Maxie Rumble secured a nice tow round and the writing was on the wall as the Mullins' flyer powered past approaching the third bend and proceeded to draw right away, eventually crossing the line six lengths clear of Storetodoor Gem in a superb 28.68sec.
Mullins said: "I honestly think he could be the best dog that has come out of this kennel. He's a pup with an old head on young shoulders. Owner Eddie Jones has had dogs with us for many years and I'm delighted for him."
The Derby may be a long way off, but Mullins is already eyeing up next year's Classic and added: "I won't be frightened to run this dog anywhere, he clocked a decent time over 400m at Romford, but I never had the Puppy Cup on my mind for him.
"If anything he shapes as though he'll stay six bends, and we're certainly looking forward to the months ahead."
Ernie Gaskin decided to miss the St Leger with Soviet Gypsy, but she would certainly have been a leading contender judged on yet another facile win in The J Guest Financial Services Stakes over 640m.
It was Betfair Dot Com that kicked clear off the second bend, but Gaskin's November 2000 Daughter of Mountleader Peer showed lethal middle pace to reduce the deficit quickly and, railing tightly, she pulled right away, coming home eight lengths clear in 40.05sec.
No Can Waltz is not getting any younger, but Linda Jones's dog showed what a class act he still is when bolting up in the Storetodoor Stakes over 640m.Leading early, and, keeping on very strongly, he finished just under seven lengths clear of Daphs Babe in a fast 39.71sec.
Dan The Slippy and Downdaniel Jewel were other good winners that gave punters the upper hand over the layers by landing respective contests over 475m hurdles and 840m.
Walthamstow Racing Manager Chris Page was delighted with the night. He said: "This is one of the busiest nights of the year, and the staff always put in a lot of effort. We're proud to host such a special event."

WIMBLEDON yesterday received 54 entries for the William Hill St Leger (open to 72) by the 12 noon deadline, with the result that Thursday's first round heats of the 660m stayers' Classic will offer four qualifying places rather than the usual three.
However, what might be lacking in quantity is certainly made up for in quality with Frisby Folly back to defend her title, Serious Dog and Form Of Magic (29.65sec in a 515m trial before racing at Hove on Thursday) renewing TV Trophy final rivalry, Sheriff Bow Wow out to complete the rare Grand Prix/Leger double and Micks Best Hero finally making his long-awaited six-bend debut.
The Draw
Heat 1 1 Arun Sky (D D Knight, Hove) 2 Sassy Dan (R K Peacock, Wdon) 3 Easy Dilemma (A M Kibble, Oxfrd) 4 Frisby Fassan (m) (H Crapper, Sheff) 5 Sheriff Bow Wow (w) (J G Mullins, Wstow) 6 Smoking Machine (w) (J W Reynolds, Wstow)
Heat 2 1 Southlodge Rage (N Colton, Oxfrd) 2 Blue Mint (N E M Mcellistrim, Wdon) 3 Micks Best Hero (B A Clemenson, Hove) 4 Ballmac Rumbles (N E M Mcellistrim, Wdon) 5 This Is Mine (C P Miller, Stgbrn) 6 Kinda Sleepy (w) (L E Jones, Wstow)
Heat 3 1 Rebel Merlin (P W Young, Romfd) 2 Dilemmas Bill (N Savva, Unatt) 3 Serious Dog (P W Young, Romfd) 4 Cuba (m) (B A Clemenson, Hove) 5 Selsey Steve (m) (P W Young, Romfd) 6 Premier Lord (w) (J G Mullins, Wstow)
Heat 4 1 Iceman Tommy (A M Lucas, Hove) 2 Xamax Ayam Zaman (J G Mullins, Wstow) 3 Frisby Folly (H Crapper, Sheff) 4 Jamie Frankie (J Taylor, MiltK) 5 Ninja Hero (m) (P W Young, Romfd) 6 Harrys Windmill (w) (J M Walton, BVue)
Heat 5 1 Great Bonus (T I Foster, Wdon) 2 Bregawn Breeze (G I Knibb, MiltK) 3 Farloe Fifty (w) (S A Cahill, Wdon) 4 Iceman Joey (w) (A M Lucas, Hove) 5 Princess Azzurri (w) (R Christie, Hnlow) 6 Thin Red Line (w) (J E Gammon, Hove)
Heat 6 1 Ravilello Girl (T I Foster, Wdon) 2 Joes Vintage (J J Quinn, Romfd) 3 North Providence (D F Glayzer, Yrmth) 4 Silbury Amber (T I Foster, Wdon) 5 Silbury Swallow (w) (T I Foster, Wdon) 6 Bell Knows (w) (B Doyle, Wdon)
Heat 7 1 Dooneen Vixen (N E M Mcellistrim, Wdon) 2 Dunbarton Cross (m) (W R Wrighting, Hove) 3 Alibulk Lad (w) (D I Steels, Pbrgh) 4 Form Of Magic (w) (B A Clemenson, Hove) 5 Special Treat (w) (L E Jones, Wstow) 6 Countrywidekeith (w) (P W Young, Romfd)
Heat 8 1 Special Event (J W Reynolds, Wstow) 2 Rosden Image (S A Cahill, Wdon) 3 Betfair Dot Com (m) (J W Reynolds, Wstow) 4 Droopys Neilsen (m) (A C Meek, HallG) 5 Dubai Wanda (m) (S A Cahill, Wdon) 6 Countrywidekaren (w) (P W Young, Romfd)
Heat 9 1 Lemon Romeo (P A Thompson, Cryfd) 2 Bite The Bullet (E Soppitt, Unatt) 3 Milldor Magic (T I Foster, Wdon) 4 Elbony Fox (C P Miller, Stgbrn) 5 Colonel Rose (A M Lucas, Hove) 6 Smooth Evening (w) (T I Foster, Wdon)

SEAN DUNPHY strikes again! Cooly Cougar gave the Co. Waterford breeder his 160th open win of the year with a super display of front-running in Romford's 575m Coral Champion Stakes, building on a lightning start to beat Ace Honcho by over a length in 35.22sec.
Owned by Cameron and Lauren Whyte, Brian Clemenson's charge has won 12 opens at five different tracks, including Oxford's Trafalgar Puppy Cup. The pounds 10,000 purse he collected at Romford boosted the earnings of Dunphy- bred dogs this year to over pounds 60,000.
The June 2000 whelp is the second Category One winner of the year sired by Top Honcho, the other being the Midland Puppy Derby victor Droopys Hewitt, another Dunphy-bred.
El Othello and Micks Best Hero, who won these events in 2001, were also by the Australian dog.
Cooly Cougar's family has been reviewed here previously in connection with earlier produce of his dam, so it will suffice to note that he is from the third litter of Droopys Kylie. This Kyle Jack bitch clocked 28.62sec in a trial at Monmore and 28.80sec in another at Waterford, but never raced owing firstly to injury and then, when returned to fitness, by coming into season.
To Staplers Jo, she threw the sprinters Droopys Em and Droopys Es, then a coupling with El Premier produced Reactabond Ace, winner of the Gimcrack and Peterborough Puppy Derby.
Her Top Honcho litter included Betfair Dot Com, Drakes Drum, Droopys Corleone, Droopys Marya, Droopys Regina and Droopys Tardelli, and all told her progeny have won 75 NGRC opens. She had litters in 2001 by Jamella Prince and Larkhill Jo.
It is almost exactly 100 years since the bitch who established this family in Ireland had her first litter there. This was Briery Dale, who in September 1902 threw seven pups by a dog called Ladas And Co, the breeder being Dr E W Griffin, whose address was The District Lunatic Asylum, Killarney!
Bred in 1898 by Dr John Surtees, of Stamfordham, Newcastle-on-Tyne, Briery Dale was sent at an early age to Co. Kerry, where in October 1900 she won a 32-runner maiden stake at Tralee.
The bitch subsequently bred several litters for Dr Griffin, establishing a matriarchy productive of the Irish Derby winners Muinessa (1937), Rough Waters (1952) and Keep Moving (1956) before the Dunphy brothers opened up this rich vein of winners, which descends from Keep Moving's litter- sister Caramba.
IT was at Tralee in July 1998 that Greenwood Flyer broke a hock in a clearing trial, having been disqualified at Wimbledon for turning her head when winning her Derby semi-final a few weeks earlier.
The Irish Derby had been her new target, so the accident was another huge blow for owner Joe Myles, of Harrow, Middlesex, but he has since bred some good-sized litters from the daughter of I'm His, notably a March 2000 batch of eight by Mountleader Peer.
One of these, Rusheen Peer, was sent out by John Quinn to win the 400m Standard final on the Romford undercard. Taking over at halfway, he landed the pounds 750 purse in 24.19sec, this being his third open success over the course and distance, the fastest having been gained in 24.16sec.

FORM OF MAGIC is threatening total domination of the six-bend scene and Brian Clemenson's dog can underline the point by confirming heat form with No Can Waltz in the second semi-final of the Ladbroke Summer Stayers Classic over 630m at Monmore tonight.
Incredibly, the 37.56sec (+30) winning effort by Form Of Magic seven days ago was the third consecutive race in which he set a track record, with this 630m mark being added to the bests he posted for 695m and 740m in the space of four days at home track Hove in March.
In fairness, No Can Waltz lost little in defeat in the heat as it was his first time round Monmore, but it is still hard to see the Walthamstow specialist improving enough to reverse the form. Sectionals suggest Form Of Magic can lead early and it will be all over bar the shouting if that does turn out to be the case.
The opening semi at 8.30pm looks good for Top Award after last week's heat effort when she made all to beat True Honcho, although it might be harder for her to get to the front this time. That is due to the presence of No Response on her inside in one, but Top Award has proven capable of coming from off the pace in the past and that ability will stand her in good stead tonight.
True Honcho is reluctantly passed over in the third semi at 9.30pm even though there was not an awful lot wrong with his run behind Top Award last week.
It was, though, further proof that he is not the irresistible force he was when first sent over six bends last year and he may struggle to keep tabs on Rapid Best early tonight - the Linda Jones's dog is fancied to make all.
Walthamstow next and a Coronation Street-inspired card; hopefully we can have the bookies by the short and Curly Watts after Bocelli has done the business in the puppy final over 475m at 9.59pm.
Dink Luckhurst's dog was a generous 7-4 chance when winning his heat a week ago with worries about his lack of course knowledge presumably one of the reasons for the keeness to lay him.
An impressive look round later, he can be expected to improve tonight and trap four will be no problem at all if he continues to trap as he generally has been.
Erinaceous Flyer was not quick enough to take advantage of what appeared a cracking make-up in a Derby third round heat at Wimbledon last weekend and Ernie Gaskin has wasted no time in upping her to six bends in the 9.31pm over 640m tonight.
The indications are that the stiffer test of stamina will suit her down to the ground and it will be quite a disappointment if she is beaten in this company.
But the nap comes in the 10.12pm over 475m where Borna Return is a sporting suggestion. Jim Reynolds' dog should be coming to hand now three runs into his comeback and, considering how slowly he started in a top grade race on Saturday, he did well to finish close up in fourth. Now drawn in one, he can trap better to hold Vancouver Jet to the bend and then set sail for home.
Two heats of a veterans' competition are best left to Hanover Peer and Level Mover, while I shall be keeping an eye on the betting exchanges to see the level of confidence behind Betfair Dot Com prior to her 640m bow in the 8.23pm.
Elsewhere on a busy night, Cucciolo Nero can follow up his debut win from a fortnight ago at Catford, while Lift Up Joe (Milton Keynes), Golan (Nottingham), Barracuda Kate (Perry Barr) and Marshals June (Reading) can star in the provinces.

BELIEVE it or not, but the build-up to next year's Racing Post Juvenile Championship starts tonight when the first competition to finish after the May 1 starting point for accruing points, the Selco Builders Merchants Puppy Stakes, gets under way with six heats over 475m at Walthamstow.
With Derby fever very much in the air just now, there will doubtless be a few Classic pointers for 2003 to be had this evening, and although that might be aiming a little high where Droopys Sampras is concerned, Gary Baggs's dog still looks the call in the opener at 8.09pm.
Betfair Dot Com, whose future could lie as a stayer, ought not to be too much of a hazard on the inside of the selection and he is capable of winning the dash to the bend with progressive but up-in-grade Shaun Me Boy.
There is no substitute for practice round the Stow which is something Lislevane Twink has had plenty of recently. She can come through late and fast in heat two at 8.23pm, while Paul Young's Peterborough Puppy Derby finalist On Safai looks the call in heat three at 8.37pm on the back of a decent trial here.
Young could also be on the mark in the fourth heat at 9.19pm courtesy of Droopys Tardelli, although this is a race containing a lot of pace and he will need to look lively at the start to secure a run.
Borna Ramber can end a losing run by taking heat five at 9.33pm, and Star Burst may have enough early pace to overcome a tricky draw in five in the finale at 9.47pm.
Catford next and four opens of less than stunning quality with the best advice perhaps to stick with the tried and trusted in the shape of veteran Dumbarton Gold in the 8.39pm over 385m.
Wayne Wrighting's dog has won on the last two Thursdays here and there seems no reason why he should not extend that sequence from an ideal outside draw.
Provincially, there are opens at Milton Keynes, Portsmouth and Reading, with the first-named venue having arguably a contender for race of the night in the shape of the 10.05pm over 620m.
Up-in-trip Sherwood Dan is interesting in this, but No Response is always very hard to beat round here and trap one should allow him room to manoeuvre early before delivering his challenge on the final lap.

INTERNET betting exchange site Betfair's user forum (message board) due back this week after a short absence during site upgrades, has become a gathering point for serious greyhound punters who communicate under odd-ball nicknames.
Seventeen members of the forum (in fact its 19), despite never having met, bravely got together towards the end of last year to buy a puppy. Called Betfair Dot Com and trained at Walthamstow by Jim Reynolds, she now has her own website which is maintained by syndicate founder Bob Fox.
This can be found at http://users.surfanytime.co.uk/bobfox/betfair_dot_com.htm.
The bitch is currently in season, but a 29.19sec Stow open win from just three runs before she broke down has excited expectation that she could be useful in 2002.

Mick Stone, a greyhound consultant for Betfair, is also a specialist betting economist (Ed).

Breeding Lines: First round to Honcho

Published: 07/02/2002 (Greyhound Features) P R Saward

Roanokee leads Top Honcho by 12 wins to seven in this year's sires of puppy winners' division, but it was Top Honcho who claimed victory in the first juvenile competition of the new campaign, the Mike Alan Trafalgar Puppy cup.
His son Cooly Cougar's success in Saturday's final at Oxford gave the Australian sire his 46th NGRC title, while for the youngster's dam Droopys Kylie it was the 47th NGRC open race won by her offspring.
Needless to say, Droopys Kylie (Kyle Jack-Droopys Fergie) is a member of (Sean) Dunphy's brood bitch team, and her background was reviewed here on April (12th) last year following the Peterborough Puppy Derby success of her son Reactabond Ace (by El Premier).

CLEMENSON was also on the mark with promising youngster Cooly Cougar in the Trafalgar Cup final at Oxford on Saturday.
A strong-running sort, Cooly Cougar showed good back-straight pace to lead at the third in the 450 metres contest before striding clear to post a useful 26.87sec for rating of 104.
He is a useful addition to the kennel, but one whose lack of early pace may find him out in more strenuous competitions.

COOLY COUGAR, held in high esteem by trainer Brian Clemenson, justified that faith in him with a convincing win in the first of the season's major puppy events, the Mike Alan-sponsored Trafalgar Cup final at Oxford on Saturday, writes Peter Meldrum.
Stuart Little, installed as 6-4 favourite in off-course betting, drifted alarmingly out to 5-2 at the track as Cooly Cougar (pictured right) attracted support into 9-4 favouritism.
Ferryforth Zola set the early pace, but the new favourite, tracking cleverly next to the rails, turned in pursuit and the result was a mere formality. Joining the leader at the third turn, Cooly Cougar powered clear to score by over four lengths, in the process recording a fast 26.87sec for the 450-metre course.
Bookmakers reacted to Cooly Cougar's success by trimming his odds for the Derby with sponsors Hills now quoting 33-1 from a pre-race 50-1.
Winning trainer Clemenson said: "I was a bit worried that they might have a bit too much early for him, but he tracked well and once he got a clear run he did them for middle.
"I think he is a very nice pup, the Midland Puppy Derby is his next objective-he looks an ideal type for Monmore."
This was Clemenson's second big race win of the weekend having landed Friday's Byrne International at Wimbledon with Farmhouse Gold.
He added: "Farmhouse Gold is earmarked for the Arc at Walthamstow, while Micks Best Hero, Form Of Magic, Solid Magic and Maui Magic will all be trialling back in the next couple of days."

THERE is a danger that Droopys Corleone, who made such a stunning racing debut in the heats of the Winter Sports Half Grand Puppy Standard over 475m at Walthamstow last week, may be sent off too short a price for his chance in the final at 9.47pm tonight-but he still makes most appeal.
Danny Riordan's dog, who had qualified with some smart trials, looked every inch a first-time-out pup when finding early trouble, but still had the pace to turn second behind Leam Chabang and then gave that rival a running lesson down the back-straight.
Definitely a close railer on last week's evidence, trap one looks ideal tonight and he can find the not inconsiderable amount of time that the two other heat winners, Loyal Decision and Erinaceous Flyer, have in hand of him. It is worth bearing in mind that going conditions probably favoured wides, as they are, seven days ago.

DROOPYS CORLEONE may have been the slowest of the three heat winners in the first round of the Winter Sports Half Grand Puppy Standard over 475m at Walthamstow on Thursday, but there is no doubt that Danny Riordan's June 2000 debutant-a half-brother of Reactabond Ace-created a massive impression.
A well-backed 2-1 second favourite on the back of some very smart qualifying trials, the Top Honcho-Droopys Kylie dog was badly bumped at the start and again on the run to the bend as inexperience looked set to find him out.
But he showed tremendous early pace to turn second behind favourite Leam Chabang and, cleverly checking outside the leader along the back-straight, swept past going into the third before staying on for a two lengths victory.
"It was a great run in the circumstances and he will have learned a lot from that," said Riordan yesterday. "At this stage, it's all about giving him experience so we've got the Walthamstow final to come, then we'll look to go to Monmore for the Midland Puppy Derby.
The Monmore route was that taken by Riordan's top- class Rio Riccardo two years ago, who landed that prestigious competition before failing by only a short-head to make the Derby final and suffering a career-ending injury after easily winning the Derby Consolation.
"Hopefully this fellow will turn into a Derby dog," said Riordan, "it's certainly in our plans, although there's plenty for him do beforehand."

COOLY COUGAR
bk d Top Honcho-Droopys Kylie, June 00
Trainer: Brian Clemenson
Winner of two of his three races at Hove, he then finished second in heat and final of the Christmas Puppy Cracker at Monmore which featured some hugely promising sorts. Although still green, everything suggests he will really come into his own when upped in distance, but the trainer feels he might even be a Derby dog. (runs Hove tonight)

A YEAR after their success with Reactabond Rebel in the Wafcol Peterborough Puppy Derby, the winning combination of David Miles (owner), Paul Young (trainer) and Sean Dunphy (breeder) were back for second helpings in last week's renewal of the Fengate Stadium's big juvenile event.
Their candidate this time was Reactabond Ace, who caused something of an upset in his semi when scoring at 10-1, and he was again easy to back at 6-1 for the pounds 3,000 decider, having a less than favourable draw in four to overcome.
However, shrugging off some early buffeting, the Romford dog surged into the lead at the last bend and kicked on to win by two and a half lengths in 25.72sec for the 420 metres.
It was the third open win recorded by the September 1999 whelp, who was the junior member of the field and shares with Sure Fantasy, the 1993 winner, the distinction of being the youngest dogs to land the prestigious competition. Roseville Dandy, who won in 1987, was also a September whelp, but in that year the race was run in May.
For Sean Dunphy, the result was a remarkable triumph, as he also bred the winner's parents and stands the sire, El Premier, at his range in Portlaw, Co Waterford.
Like the other six male ancestors in Reactabond Ace's three- generation pedigree El Premier was a Classic winner, an accolade gained with an unbeaten run through the 1997 Laurels. The Wimbledon major figured among his 37 open victories, along with the 1996 Regal Puppy Derby.
He was the best of a first class litter that won 81 NGRC opens, among his siblings being Crayford's Shepherd Neame Vase hero Rio Shadow.
Their dam Droopys Aliysa was half-sister to Droopys Sandy, who sired the 1998 Peterborough Puppy Derby winner Del Piero.
Reactabond Ace is from El Premier's first crop, as is El Pal, who has racked up six open wins, including a 515 metres Trainers' Championship heat at Hove last month. Several of his pups have won in Ireland, notably the Waterford scorers Jim And Tom (29.30sec) and Black Scandal (29.36sec).
El Premier's sire Adraville Bridge is not widely represented at stud by his sons.
However, he wields much influence through his daughters, who have thrown such hounds as Knockeevan Star (Scottish Derby, Irish National Sprint, Regal Puppy Derby), Fervent Flash (Midland Gold Cup), Kinda Magic (Pall Mall) and Popalong Fred (St Mungo Cup).
Reactabond Ace's dam Droopys Kylie was initially with Henry Tasker at Perry Barr. She clocked 28.62sec in a trial at Monmore, but then went lame and returned to Dunphy for breeding without having raced.
The 60lb daughter of Kyle Jack recovered her fitness and posted around 28.80sec in an unofficial trial at Waterford, but went into season before she could be raced and was mated to Staplers Jo.
A litter of three resulted, which contained the open sprint winners Droopys Em and Droopys Es, together with Droopys El, who has reached A2 grade at Walthamstow.
Reactabond Ace was from her second litter, which was followed by a Top Honcho batch, born ten months ago, and she presently has some four-week-old pups by Jamella Prince.
Although Droopys Kylie never raced, she was undoubtedly fast, and came from a litter headed by the speedy Droopys Eric, who broke Oxford's 450 metres clock and won the 1998 Derby Consolation at Wimbledon.
Their dam Droopys Fergie has proved an important foundation bitch for the Dunphy breed, producing the winners of 110 NGRC opens, including Droopys Pacino, the 1998 St Leger victor, and last year's Irish Puppy Derby winner, Droopys Vieri.