Week Ending 14th April

Tuesday 9th
A very good trial day with all 11 dogs going well.
Screen Critic completed his UK qualifying with a fastest of the session 28.47. Batman broke well and showed a lovely turn of early to lead all the way to beat kennel mate, Stanton Apollo, by 4 3/4 lengths. He tired coming home but this was his first 4 bend workout since the Unraced final in February so he's entitled to have needed the run. Apollo (28.85) and Taranis Diva (29.08) both went very well in the same trial.
Beatrice Maud (29.49) returned from injury with a good effort and Ding Hero was given his first workout since winning the Romford final and pleased us with a 28.82 solo spin. He's heading to Sheffield for the 3 Steps to Victory competition.
Hiding Escort was given his first trial since finishing lame at Romford in November and flew round in 16.33. Hoots Mon posted 16.44 as he returned from finishing lame in the Perry Barr Bags Championship in December.
Phanters Legend (16.45) and Moody Mare (16.67) also returned from lameness with good trials while new recruit, Portavoe Girl, posted 16.68 in her solo.
Wednesday 10th
Jolly Bullseye saved the day at Swindon as it really didn't look like being our night with most of our Arc trial stake runners getting no luck at all.
Gemstone Jack could never get in to full stride as he was constantly hampered in his race. He stayed on well to finish 3rd when he eventually got some room to run and we'll take our chance and enter him for the Arc.
Hey Diego was very badly crowded on the bend as he went from a likely winner to last place. He stayed on well though to finish 3rd.
Taranis Rex ran his heart out for us again but was just denied on the line. Rex showed his customary burst of early to lead at the bend but the torrential downpour of rain had taken it's toll on the track and he tired coming home to be beaten half a length. Rex will be taking his chance in the Arc and with good ground he'd have a fair shout of progressing through the comp.
Slippery Patch and Tibetan Skies came together at the bend in their heat and were both left with an awful lot of ground to make up. Patch stayed on gamely though to take 2nd place with Tibetan running on well to snatch 3rd.
So it was left to kennel star Jolly Bullseye to get us out of trouble and he did it in great style. He didn't break in his best fashion but showed his fantastic early pace and really drove the first bend to take the lead. He went a couple of lengths clear of the strong running Droopys Reason and I thought we may be in trouble with the poor track conditions but he stayed on strongly to win by 1 1/2 lengths in 28.53. He'll improve nicely for that run and will now take his chance in the Arc before heading to Wimbledon for the Derby.
Youngster, Stanton Ovation, continued his recent improvement to take the A5 by 1 length in 29.64.
Friday 12th
A poor day with no winners from our 12 runners. Off The Radar and Swarez ran with credit while Gemstone Annie was desperate in the A1. It's been a frustrating week again at Swindon with some 16 runners not getting a run, including many of our top A1 and A2 dogs.
Saturday 13th
2 winners from our 6 runners this evening.
Gemstone Billy took full advantage of the slow going to win his A3 by 1 1/4 lengths in 29.17.
Motor Home got her first win since returning from injury as she led off the 3rd bend to win her A3 by 2 3/4 lengths in 29.34. Mollie has been a fantastic bitch for us and it was great to see her get this win.

 

Performance of the week

Not too many to chose from this week but the award has to go to Jolly Bullseye who won a very good quality Arc trial stake on poor ground. It was a classy and brave performance and fingers crossed he can keep up his good form throughout the Arc.