Bang On Edith (Trap 2) goes into tonight’s race having posted the fastest time of the six qualifiers in Heat 1. All things being equal, she should head up Pete Swadden’s Any Second Now and get a strong pitch into the first bend. Cassidy, in Trap 3, has the potential to trap quickly and could cause an issue for those on either side including Keefill Goose (Trap 4) who is still struggling to regain his earlier form. Rock It Rambo (Trap 5) is a popular runner at Swindon and Peter Swadden’s second runner in Heat 1 is probably his best chance of a semi-finalist. That said, Rambo will need to repeat something like the 28.46 (Jul 8th) to have a chance of progressing. Kevin Hutton’s Dreamin Reggie is finding his feet at Swindon and will hope for a trouble free run from the outside box. Prediction: 2-4-6
Coppice Ella (Trap 6) qualified fastest in Round 1, having caught Romeo Cypher near the line but this is a much stronger race. Owner, Tony Brealey, was delighted to have two qualify through to Round 2.
“It’s great to have 2 go through to the next round. We would have loved all 3, in but first bend bumping put paid to Coppice Franks chance of a place in next round.
“I think Ella stands a great chance of qualifying for the next round in T6. She just needs to stay wide and avoid first bend trouble. She comes home so strong. So if she’s near the front coming into the last bend she has a great chance.
“[Coppice] Ronnie is also in with a good chance to progress (from Heat 3). He led last week but because of a few weeks off lacked a little bit of race fitness.
“This competition is one of my favourites since Signet Denver won in 2022. There are some good dogs in the competition still so we can’t take anything for granted.”
Tom Heilbron’s Romeo Crossfire is capable of something special if he can get away quicker tonight from Trap 2. Southfield Poppy (Trap 1) should hold on to the rail and she will set the target for others to chase down. From from Oxford on 10 Aug suggests that Coppice Ella should run her down with a bit to spare. Prediction: This is a very tough heat to predict but I’m going 6-2-5 to progress.
A number of these will fancy their chances of qualifying from Heat 3. Heather Dimmock’s Coffee Time Guys has marginally the fastest recent time on the clock but he will need to trap much better than in Round 1 to turn ahead of the outside traps. I don’t think that will happen. Keefill Rocky ran well to win his Round 1 Heat and I expect him to qualify through this heat again. Kev Hutton’s Coppice Ronnie and Southfield Petal catch the eye in Traps 4 and 5 respectively. Prediction: 4-5-3
Romeo Cypher may be getting closer to fulfilling the potential he showed earlier in the year when he won the Puppy Cup at Oxford for Tom Heilbron. An inconsistent starter, he will need to get into his running earlier than his brother who is on his inside. Any trouble on the rail should leave the door wide open for Kevin Hutton’s Union Rebel to take this heat and secure smooth passage into the semis. Prediction 6-4-2
