Saturday night Open Race preview from round the tracks

Saturday night Open Race preview from round the tracks

On another busy night of Open Race action, including the Second Round of the BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby at Shelbourne Park and a whole open card at Doncaster previewed later today, we take a look at the other open race venues, Monmore, Central Park and Oxford

Monmore

Maiden action kicks off the open racing at Monmore and having given Romeo Alliance a run for his money in the final of Arena Racing Company Puppy Classic at Nottingham on Monday, Whisky Elsa could break her maiden tag here and if hitting the front again, then she may make all the running for Nathan Hunt. Brian Thompson's Common Canter has been runner well against tough opposition of late and could be a danger if trapping on terms

If Nathan Hunt didn't win the first, then he will look to make amends here with three runners in this contest, with Bang On Edith looking the best of those three, but may have to play second fiddle to Brian Thompson's greyhound Paradise Sky, who made all the running here last week beating a useful yardstick in Fabulous Sonique, and despite a tricky draw, could make all the running again. 

Six bend maiden action this time and it could go the way of Aero Optional. Richie Taberner's local greyhound has been staying on well over four bends in recent weeks and if avoiding his kennel-mate Aero Honey early, then he could prove too strong in the later stages, though Sugar Candice wasn't disgraced in her previous six bend outing and could feature if trapping on terms for Kim Billingham-Hine

An interesting sprint contest here and having got back to winning ways last week, Aero Pattika will looking to strike while the iron is hot here. With a slow starter inside, he could make all the running though Kim Billingham-Hine's Newinn Bachelor is a more than capable opponent if trapping on terms himself

Nathan Hunt's greyhound Cunnigar Yousir trapped well and made all the running at Nottingham on Monday night to land the double, and with the slow starting Arthur Cornflake on his inside, then he has the opportunity to land the hat-trick with another all the way success. Brian Thompson's Vixons Filofax is more than capable of making all the running but will need to get across to the rails from a tricky looking draw

Like Vixons Filofax in the previous contest, Nathan Hunt's Newinn Oscar also has a tricky looking draw out in four but if producing one of his better breaks, then he could be away and gone, but if Arthur Job can turn the opening bends in a handy position, then he may just be able to reel him on rounding the final bends for Patrick Godfrey

Central Park

A maiden contest kicks off the open race action at Central Park, where Nick Carter's greyhound Barnfield Piper can break her maiden tag. Although she would seem suited by a draw further out, she went close to making all the running last week but could go one place better here if able to hit the front again. Dan Brabon's Bumble Belles has been running well without winning of late and could face a similar scenario again here

£500 goes to the winner of this four bend final and it looks set to go the way of the Julie Luckhurst trained Kanturk Mills. He has a good looking draw on the inside and if hitting the front early as expected, then it's hard to see him being reeled in. Blastoff Kobbie has the pace but either traps poorly or finds trouble in running but a clear passage would give Dan Brabon's runner a chance here

Six bend maiden action here where Hove trainer Stuart Maplesden's greyhound Fatboy Stu could take all the beating. He ran well in defeat in a top grade contest over four bends last time out and has ran well here in the past. He could take some stopping with a clear passage, though Pretty Epic stays on well in the later stages in top grade at Central Park and if staying in contact early, she could make her presence felt for George Andreas

Liz McNairs greyhound King Presley returned back to winning ways last week when pinging the lids and making all the running in good style and can confirm the form with kennel-mate Queen Sinead and Martyn Wiley's Daring Hoffa with another fast start, but may have most to fear from Ontherun Eden. Dave Lee's runner is useful when trapping well and could feature with another smart break

Dave Lee's Bluejig Baron was beaten by King Memphis when last seen over this course and distance but faces nothing of that calibre in this field and if able to turn the opening bends in a handy position, then he could get back to winning ways. Dan Brabon's Chaddy Boy made all the running at Hove last time out to land the hat-trick having made all the running here previously. If he gets loose again early, then it will give Bluejig Baron something to think about

Oxford

Both opens at Oxford look sure to go the way of Kevin Hutton, it's just a case of which of his runners will win them. He has four of the five greyhounds in the first,  where Start The Engine will look to reverse the form with kennel-mate Dreamin Reggie from last week's contest. Reggie won fair and square on that occasion, but Start The Engine was making his first start for a month and can be taken to come on from that run and make all the running this time

Just the three runners for Kevin Hutton in this maiden contest and despite making his debut and needing to improve on the clock, it could go the way of the well drawn Dog Dog. The March 24 youngster is the sole railer in this field and is sure to improve from recent trials, so it wouldn't be a surprise if he can capitalise on this draw. Of the rest, Rachel Hill's Grantstown Cross landed the double in style in top grade last time out and if up with the pace again, could prove to be the main danger