Greyhound Weekly writer Peter Walker provides an update and analysis on the performances at three open competitions.
Coral Coronation Cup
The heats were held on Friday with a commanding performance from New Destiny to put down a marker for the rest of the competition in 35 seconds dead.
However, the quickest of the evening was from Radical Scoby (34.82) who continued to impress following his win on Derby finals night.
He is fast becoming a leading contender amongst the top-class stayers and at 6/1 is worth backing with the ante post favourite a best-priced 6/4.
Alas, Droopys Rosie missed her break and struggled to get competitive with Avongate Venus leading all the way from the front in her heat.
The other fancied runners to miss out included Gary The Arb and Untold Panga who unfortunately took a hefty bump late on and out of contention.
Hogans Hawk won her race in an identical time to Venus but has since been withdrawn after coming into season.
ARC Puppy Trophy
Both previous selections qualified with Slingshot Poppy managing to hold on from Greenwell Tyson in a tight finish after hitting the front from Sunnyside Jayden at around the half-way mark.
The second semi-final saw Jacktavern Chief step up from his previous runners-up position in a similar time with a strong finish.
Sunnyside Gurkha and Witton Versace came through to make up the remaining qualifiers.
Only two-hundredths of a second separate the top three in the market and without any railers in the final, getting a clear run at the first bend could well be crucial. Good luck to all puppies in the final and hopefully a clean-run race.
ARC Kent Silver Salver
The favourite in all three semi-finals were beaten into second place. Mickys Tribute was crowded out in his race and could only finish fourth.
The main selection Ballinakill Liam chased King Presley all the way and just held on for second.
The local trainer has two in the final with King Jackson also getting the better of Rioja Oisin.
Beaming Isla was the only railer to qualify in front of Pavilion Team in a slower time but could get a solo on the inside with the middle and wides all looking for racing room on her outside.
This competition is the only category one sprint event in the calendar and predicting the winner is tough to call.
From our perspective, Liam now drawn in six has the chance to flash out and take control on the wide outside. That’s the theory but you can’t discount any of the finalists.
