"We don’t want a Mark Wallis-trained winner" - Hills ducking for cover in the Cesarewitch

Cesarewitch money for Mark Wallis's pair

MONGYS WILD remains a red-hot even-money favourite with William Hill to win the Arc Cesarewitch and maintain his incredible run of success in Category Ones.

Lining up as part of a strong Mark Wallis challenge for the 731m annual at Central Park, including double champion Garfiney Blaze, four heats for the coveted prize will take place on Saturday - weather permitting, of course!

Originally slated for last week, a frozen track put paid to the Kent venue’s intention to stage the first Category One competition of 2026.

That honour now falls to Romford the night before with six heats of the Coral Essex Vase. “It’s a week later than planned, but the order stays the same,” said Hills’s odds-compiler Derek Hope.

“When the Cesarewitch runners were released my gut feeling was that Mongys Wild would be odds-on for the competition, especially with a 28.72sec four-bend trial in preparation. That’s some run. 

“However, I hadn’t counted on Droopys Flare’s participation! 

“It certainly made pricing trickier and I initially priced Mongys at 11-8. I now wish I had gone with my initial thoughts - as he’s been backed down to evens! 

“The other runner that punters want is Garfiney Blaze. I’ve cut him to 8-1 from 14s to make it three in a row in the event which would be some achievement. 

“Hindsight is a great thing but given how well he obviously runs the track 14-1 did seem big for the each-way players at a quarter the odds the first four.  His age might be against him, but he hasn’t got many miles on the clock. 

“I suppose what I’m saying is I wouldn’t mind pricing the event from scratch all over again! 

“The inclement weather and the possible effect on track conditions may throw up a few strange results, but I’d still expect most of the front end to qualify. 

"Deadly Disco has been running well at Hove, and it would be no surprise to see him make the final. However, it’s hard to look past the big two in the betting and, from a company point a view, let’s just say we don’t want a Mark Wallis-trained winner!”

One man who will be trying to stop a Wallis winner is Barry O'Sullivan who has Harlequin Taluka going in Heat Two, taking on Droopys Flare. 

“He hasn’t been passed when he’s in front,” said O'Sullivan. 

“And he always seems to pull out a bit more running to the pick-up. The competition is on our doorstep, it would be foolish not to take our chance. 

“He’s definitely capable of qualifying and we have great memories of last year’s final with Head Count who reached it unbeaten from her heat and semi-final.

“It’s terrific to have this calibre of greyhounds running at Central Park, and something local people can be proud of. 

“Mongys Wild is box office, and Garfiney Blaze is looking to achieve the unthinkable. 

“Galloping wise, Central Park is the best track in the country and it’s great to see the Open Race scene on the up. It would be great to see that continue in 2026. 

“We had a positive 2025 and hope to continue that trend too. Hardy Gringo would be one to watch from our kennel, he’s won a couple of sprint races nicely and looks like he’ll improve for a step up in trip soon.”

Tickets for each round of the Arena Racing Company Cesarewitch are on sale via www.centralpark-greyhounds.co.uk. Free admission tickets for the final on Saturday, January 25, can be reserved online or claimed on the door on the evening. Doors open at 4pm, with the first race off at 5.30pm.