Friday Greyhound Racing Tips

The lightly raced SO DELIGHTED (best price 3-1) made his debut in a bottom grade D4 sprint at the end of December and showed plenty of speed to lead rounding the two bends before lack of fitness showed on the run to the line. In his six outings since, however, he has shown rapid improvement and has yet to be out of the frame and has found lengths on his early escapades.

The wins came in D4 and D2 company, but he has had to settle for second best since stepping up to the top level on his last two starts. However, he did more than enough on his latest outing (caught close home by the useful Forest Whiskey) to suggest he can take this event. As always in a sprint event, he will need to be away smartly but, if he turns in front, he could well take some beating.

There is plenty to like about the eased in grade BLUE LAD (best price 4-1) in a moderate enough A5 race. He won as recently as the end of January and, while not setting the world on fire since, has been running with credit and has had his excuses. He was coming with a decent looking run in an A4 a week ago but his chance evaporated as he tangled when trying to get through.

While he has just about zero chance of leading with a couple of better early paced types in the field he has, vitally, an excellent looking chance of holding his position next to the rails going into the turn.

He may well find himself in a very handy pitch turning into the back straight and should be on the heels of the leaders by the third bend. Given a smooth run through, his undoubted stamina should win the day.

An injury last summer saw DOWER RORY (best price 2-1) off the track for the best part of three months and it has been a long road back. He did strike winning form at this level at the end of December and ran with credit in several races after that before another three-week break in February.

His return last Friday in similar company caught the eye and he could be ready to notch up another success at this level. At his very best, he showed up well in some good open races and he would blow these away if finding some of his pre-injury form.

That’s obviously a big ask but, given a trouble free run, he should surely prove too powerful for these in the closing stages.

A small interest on SWIFT FREDERICK (best price 3-1) may prove a profitable move. He was running in handicaps for much of last year and, while he enjoyed a fair amount of success, he has really found the winning touch since returning to level start events with a 50 per cent strike rate in six races.

His latest couple of wins have been in slightly inferior company but he is really enjoying his racing at the moment. With an excellent chance of turning bang up with the pace, Swift Frederick may well complete a hat-trick.

There is plenty to like about HOPALONG ELENI (best price 5-2) here she looks a very attractive proposition. She is one of the most consistent greyhounds at the track and hardly knows how to run a poor race. What’s more, she has plenty going in her favour here including a potentially outstanding draw.

Plenty will be looking at the top-class Honour Goldikova, who goes from trap one, but she has been off the track since November and her comeback trials have hardly been sparkling, so is expected to be a little ring rusty still. However, the most important aspect about this race is that trap three runner, Cloheena Monty, often goes markedly right at the traps.

It all points to Hopalong Eleni enjoying the clearest of runs into the bend and possibly some crowding between those on the outside. The likelihood is that she will be clear going into the back stretch and could have the race in the bag along way out.

The betting will suggest that this is a straight forward match between Droopys Aoife (Coronation Cup finalist) and Sparta Master (Coronation Cup runner-up) and that could well be the case. All the same, that makes the price of SWIFT TARQUIN (best price 8-1) look rather attractive after notching up three straight successes over course and distance.

There is no doubting the top two in the market have the highest credentials and the pair of them have a real liking for the track. So does Swift Tarquin, though, and he is arguably the better drawn of the trio with a prime trap one slot. And, more importantly, he looks nailed on to enjoy the clearest of runs to the bend with Millhouse Alex tending to move middle early on.

John Mullins’ runner has the early pace to take advantage of that as well and it would not be the biggest shock to see him lead this field round – he looks a player for sure.