Week Ending 5th May

Monday 29th
A couple of winners to begin the week with. Razor Titanic continued his good form as he led nearly all the way in his A2 to win by 1 1/4 lengths in 29.30. Beatrice Maud made a winning come back from injury as she led all the way to win her A4 by 1 3/4 lengths in 29.42.
Tuesday 30th
A busy trial session today with 16 dogs going to Swindon.
Alarming Arti joined the 685m graded strength with his 42.30 effort.
Bellmore Woody (29.26) and Hoots Mon (29.54) both went well in their first 4 bend trials since injury. Keeperhill Hawk re joined the strength with a 29.59. Recent arrivals, Hamar Superstar (29.24) and Airport Captain (28.94) both looked nice types in their first 4 bend trials. Portavoe Girl joined the strength with her 29.61 effort while Hey Diego moved well in his 480m solo to record 28.73.
Stanton Ollie (16.69) and Mullingar Mer (16.28) both looked in good form as they returned from being knocked over last time out.
Gemstone Meg (16.75), Gemstone Annie (16.58), Scaffs Misty (16.63), Alarming Alan (16.59) and Gurrane Rocket (16.28) all began their come backs as well.
The day was marred though by an injury to Kilmalady Biffo. He ruptured a gracilis muscle and is now retired.
Wednesday 1st
Quite a way to begin the new month as we had 2 winners live on Sky and a runner up in the Arc final.
Droopys Harper sprang a big surprise in the 685m open as he led all the way to win by 1/2 a length in 42.01. Ding Hero was sent off a short priced favourite for the race but got the break all wrong and was badly crowded at the bend so it was left to Harper to lead the challenge. He hung on gamely at the end to record a great win. This was his first open win so to come on a Sky night at our home track was brilliant. Ding suffered a nasty split web in the race and faces around a month on the sidelines.
Kennel legend Taranis Rex pinged the lids to overcome a tricky draw and led all the way to win the 480m open in great style. Rex won by 1 1/4 lengths in 28.64. He'll have a short rest before heading to Wimbledon for a trial.
Screen Critic ran his heart out for us in the Arc final and went down by just a length to the top class Shaneboy Alley, who broke the track record in the process. Batman pinged the lids but didn't quite have the pace to make the corner in front and was cut off by Alley who quickly went 4 or 5 lengths clear but he's made good progress coming home and was closing the gap all the time but the line came to quickly for us. This was a great run by our dog though and has posted a calculated 28.36 in only his 3rd UK start. He'll head to Wimbledon next for a trial before having a crack at the Derby but I think he may be more suited to the Irish version which is firmly on his agenda.
Our other finalist, Jolly Bullseye, didn't get any luck at all in the race as he was crowded out the boxes and all the way to the first bend by the middle running Longwood Bound. He took a nasty whack on the bend and could never get in to contention. Bullseye returned with a bruised toe and a slightly strained hip and will be given as long as possible on the treatment table before heading to Wimbledon.
Thursday 2nd
No luck at all this evening at Hove. Crinkill Jewel looked in a good position coming off the 2nd bend in the 1st round of the Regency but quickly went backwards and returned with a shoulder injury and faces around 6 weeks off the track.
Tibetan Skies and Ring The Alarm both ran well in defeat while Taranis Diva moved well to record 30.19 in a trial.
Friday 3rd
4 winners at Swindon today. Motor Home got another win under her belt as she won her A3. Moody Mare returned from injury to win first time up as she led all the way in her A4.
Youngster, Panthers Legend, showed that she had learnt plenty from last week's defeat as she won a good quality A2 by 1/2 a length in 29.29.
Glenbane Air got a much deserved win as he led all the way to win his A2 in 28.99.
Saturday 4th
Off The Radar made it 2 wins from 3 starts as he led near the line to win his A3 in 29.35. He'll have his 100th race next time out and has been a great little dog.
Kelseys Prince was the latest dog to be injured this week as he suffered a gracilis injury. It doesn't look career threatening but will need around 3 months off.
Youngster, Southern Belle, completed her qualifying trials as she posted 28.90 and looks a terrific prospect.

Performance of the Week

We've had some cracking efforts this week, especially from Taranis Rex and Screen Critic but the vote has to go to Droopys Harper who gave everything he had to win his Sky open. It was a fantastic win and great reward for his very good and patient owners.

 

Spotlight on: Kilmalady Biffo

After being retired this week due to his gracilis injury I thought I'd give a quick summary of his career with us. Biffo began his racing with a victory in A4 company. This was quickly followed up by an A3 win but he really started to take the eye when he rattled off a four timer. He won 2 A2's before flying the lids to lead all the way in an A1 so we gave him a sprint at Hove which he led all the way in. He went on to win 12 opens in total and made the finals of the Oxfordshire Gold Cup and Oxfordshire Trophy. In all he won 19 of his 57 races, not bad for a dog that cost 300 Euros! The best news is that Biffo has already found a wonderful home in Devizes with a lovely family. He's having the snip in the next week or so before beginning his new life towards the end of May. We'll certainly miss this lad.