Still Looking

Still no luck with finding Avenue Guide a new home despite sending plenty of mails out and distributing posters. Also known as Sammy, this thee-year-old is a small, black dog who has won 6 times throughout his career on the track. Sammy is currently housed at racing kennels near Coventry but will need a new home on retirement. Sammy is a very friendly and loving greyhound and is great with all ages, including children. He will come with a collar and lead, vaccinated, wormed, six weeks pet insurance and a supply of food to help. Anyone interested in giving Sammy a new home can call Neil on 07917 117 187 or 01527 542427 (Evenings only). You would be very welcome to meet Sammy at his kennels.

Injury News

Jameson pulled up badly on the gallop this morning. Paul's first reaction was that he had broken his leg. The dog was in a lot of pain when he got to him. Paul took him straight off to the Vet where he was x-rayed where it showed he had dislocated his due claw. Bad news but not as bad as first thought. He will have to have it removed but not for a week as the swelling is very big. He will be out of action for about a month pending how the operation goes. There will be no long term problems because of this injury.

Bandicoot Tipoki takes Puppy Derby

Bandicoot Tipoki (4-5F) continued the impressive run of Charlie Lister's kennel when duly landing the odds in the £12,500 Ladbrokes Puppy Derby final over 480m at Monmore. I was asked to take the presentation photographs by Richard Brankley the Track manager as Steve Nash is recovering from a minor operation. The 4/1 odds taken before the competition started looked very generous, many thanks VC!

72 Hours - Tipoki, Kato and Socks

I've had a couple great days after breaking up from work on Thursday night. I picked up Kerryman Ray at 5pm then headed straight forMonmore. Sadly the Prince couldn't win for his visit after suffering trouble in running. We did get to see two track records set by Bandicoot Tipoki and Farloe Lee. Tipoki looks like a very special dog but I'm sure he will be made to battle all the way in next Thursdays Final. On Friday we made our annual pilgrimage to Cheltenham where we witnessed Kato Star win his second Cheltenham Gold Cup, what a horse. I managed to backed 2 winners at 5/1 and 10/1 which made the week a winning one. There was no stopping come Saturday as we set off to see Lance Burford and Slim Amarillo (Socks) who had arrived the previous weekend. We met up with Sock's Co-owner Dave Yanez . Socks looks to have settled in well and I took a few snaps for his website. Socks will trial at Coventry on Tuesday.

Iceman Brutus heading Stateside

Iceman Brutus could well be headng for a career at Stud in the USA after catching the eye of the Block Sporthounds Stud. Brutus looks to be an ideal replacement for Deerfield Site in America. I have posted two video of Brutus winning the ZigZag Puppy Championship and the Ladbrokes Gold Cup 630 taking the track record in the process.

The Eagle has landed

Slim Amarillo (Socks) was kindly picked by Dave yesterday and taken to his new kennel at Iceman Racing. Lance and his team will do everything they can for dog to ensure he settle in well and is a success on the track.

18.95 Jameson

Jameson improved 0.60 seconds on his trial this morning. Which is 25 spots inside qualifying. A cracking run for the pup. He will have one more solo trial before going in company. He is leaving plenty of time in the boxes so there should more even more to come. The second sectional is much better than the first one, he is not pleased with early pace being such a big lad. Promising progress.

19.55

Jameson clocked 19.55 first time out of the traps this week. Qualifying time is 19.20. Paul would expect him to do that time next week. The first time in the traps is hoping for 3 things :- they don't turn in them, they chase hard and come home sound, he did all three. Paul was very pleased. He is such a long dog he only just fits in the traps. He will trial again next week. Can I ask all members to pay £50 in to the account as I will need to pay Paul the extra 2 months he has stayed and transport in 3 weeks time. Thanks.

Monmore Puppy Derby Round 1

A cracking night of Puppy races this evening at Monmore. The track was very busy with lots of high profile owners and trainers. I met up with old friends Steve Murphy and Carly Phillpott and had a good catch up before Lance Burford came down to catch up on the news. Rather than review each race I'll post the Semi Final draw and my comments.
1^st semi final:
1 Lethal Ace - Rapid pace to 3rd bend, did he get home ?

2 Greenwell Cool - Will need to find some early to figure.

3 Centurion Enry - High class contender, had early trouble but chased leader down.

4 Droopys Kez - Will need to come away from this draw, pacey.

5 Freedom Emma - Was smashed straight out the boxes, stuck to task well but will need to improve lots.

6 Magna Venturer - Shaped up well after poor start, could have really traffic problems next week.

2^nd semi final:

1 Kinda Ready - Really took the eye, stuck to guns well.

2 Bandicoot Tipoki - Missed break then showed breathtaking pace. A lot of running probably cost him dear.

3 Eden Rocket -Will need a miracle in this heat.

4 Aughacasla Jesse - Great run from tough heat, will need to do everything right next week.

5 Droopys Cadel - I think the draw could very well suit, in the hottest Semi Final.

6 Droopys Jervis (m) - Stunning debut, my only bet of night, will need to fly out, possibilities.

3^rd semi final: 1 Eden Dom-Veers left at boxes, ran on very strong.

2 Bawna Elsa - Led a mile from a bad draw, will need to again.

3 Droopys Quinta (m) -Lacks early toe, could run on late.

4 Farloe Lee (m) - Didn't really catch the eye.

5 Bush Paddy (m) - Took his time to get going but looks in great order, 28.00 does not lie.

6 Kinda Free (m) - Ran on very strong, could struggle from the six box.

Bandicoot Tipoki was our Antepost bet at 4/1 and I'm still happy with that, he showed super pace down the back and after mising the break. Chris Allsopp's Droopys Jervis was my only bet of night and that paid 7/2 on the night.

Monmore Puppy Derby Entries

This Thursday is one of my favourite evenings racing of the year. The Monmore Puppy Derby once again looks to have brought together a fantastic group of 6 heats of which 3 will progress from each. It seems odd how some dogs have been included when dogs on the reserved list have quicker times on their card. The recent Trafalgar Cup winner Freedom Emma is on that reserve list. Roll on Thurday.

Jameson in the Boxes

Jameson will have his run out of the traps tomorrow presuming the weather is good. This is a big moment for any pup and ideally Paul just wants him not to turn in the traps, chase hard and come off sound. If he comes away and records 19.50 or faster then it is a reason to be cheerful.

Socks Off

Socks won his mixed trial in 18.01 last week so will be leaving Paul to join Lance Burford this weekend. It didn't seem that long ago we were sending Belle off to Paul for her first mating. Now the first litter are going out to trainers and the second litter to Droopys Maldini are looking amazing. Thank you Paul for your efforts.