Week Ending 21st April

Tuesday 16th
Another busy trial session with 12 dogs going today.
Hiding Escort posted a fastest of the session 28.66 in his first 4 bend trial since returning from injury. He'll head to Sheffield next week for the 3 Steps To Victory competition. He'll be joined by Ding Hero who posted 29.00 in a solo today and also Tibetan Skies.
Chilli Hot Sauce (29.07), Panthers Legend (29.17), Moody Mare (29.56) and Portavoe Girl (29.23) all went very well in their trials.
Hamar Superstar impressed in his first look at Swindon with a fastest of the day 16.36. He's only had a couple of races in Ireland and has won in 28.91 Shelbourne so he's an interesting prospect.
Youngster, Southern Belle, also impressed with her first look as she posted a 16.57.
Bellmore Woody delighted us with his 16.41 as he starts his comeback from having a toe removed. Woody hasn't raced since the maiden derby final at Henlow and he'll be a good addition to the strength when he returns.
Hoots Mon continued his come back with a 16.40, Billyboy returned to the strength after being knocked over with a 16.98 and recent arrival Airport Captain moved well to post 16.52.
Wednesday 17th
No winners from tonight's meeting as a few of the dogs ran poorly. Lady Maud came closest as she was just picked up on the line.
Thursday 18th
No luck at Hove as we returned with 3 runner up medals.
Southern Angel ran well in defeat again in her 515m maiden and will return again next week.
Gemstone Billy ran a very good race in his maiden stayers and will be given another chance next week.
Crinkill Jewel looked a likely winner as she pinged the lids and led in her 695m race but was just tapped for pace in the middle part of the race, she stayed on strongly though but just failed to get up on the line. She'll head back there next week before being given her chance in the Regency.
Friday 19th
It was the first round of the Arc this afternoon and thankfully the dogs were in great form as we qualified 4 of our 5 runners and managed 3 heat winners.
Screen Critic got the competition off to a great start for us as he made his UK debut a winning one. Batman broke well but had to battle very hard to get the better of Farloe Iceman on the third bend before staying on well to win by 2 1/2 lengths in 28.67.
Jolly Bullseye made it four wins on the trot and 7 from 12 UK starts as he bravely led at the first bend and went on to win his heat by 2 1/2 lengths in 28.77. It wasn't a flashy run by the lad but it was a good starting point and he should improve a bit next week. Gemstone Jack qualified in third place behind Jolly after running a brilliant race. Jack was crowded on the first and baulked on the 2nd and was left in a hopeless looking position but Jack really dug deep and fairly flew home off the last bend to safely make it through. Jack will always be difficult to keep out of the frame and will take full advantage of any crowding up front in his semi final next week.
Slippery Patch completed the day with a great victory in his heat. Patch ran a brave and clever race as he moved to the outside to pass dog around the 3rd and 4th bends before going on to win by 3/4 of a length in 28.84. Taranis Rex had a horrible draw in trap 5 in the same race and was badly crowded on the bend after a slow start. He returned safe and sound though and will hopefully have a race on Arc finals night.
We managed a couple of winners at the evening meeting as well.
Billyboy ran a very good race to win his A7 by just over a length in 29.88 and showed no ill effects from his tumble at the 3rd bend in his last race.
Express Fantasy ran her best race for a while as she pinged the lids and led all the way in her A2. She won by 2 1/4 lengths in 28.87.
Saturday 20th
Just the one winner as Off The Radar ran a really gutsy race to come from off the pace to lead on the run in to win his A3 by a neck in 29.44.

 

Performance of the week

There's not been too many to choose from this week so it's been a fairly easy choice. Screen Critic gets the vote for his Arc heat win. It's very difficult to go straight in to open class company first time up in this Country and win, let alone the heats of a category 1 competition so this was a great effort. It was his first race since February so he should improve for the run. Win, lose or draw in the Arc, he'll head to Wimbledon for the Derby as I think the track will suit him.