It's Angry v Gould in Round 2 of the Tipping Challenge

Here we go in Round 2 of the Staff v Owners Challenge. Rules are simple - 1 staff member and 1 owner will go head to head by picking 4 selections at a selected Thursday Monmore meeting. The person who declares the most profit to a £10 level stake on each dog will be declared the weekly winner.(A non runner will cost a zero)

This week (Thursday) loyal owner Mike Gould will take on the big fella Paul Anderson.

Rich Wood scored the first point for the owners last week so I'll be hoping Paul can strike back.

Daddy wins again

Daddy Knows Best made it back to back wins at Coventry last night when taking Heat 2 of the Constable Cup. Breaking well from traps he was never headed to record a 3/4 length win in 29.19. Joining Daddy in the Final will be Baileys Quest who finished second in Heat 1 in 29.41.

Earlier in the night Phoenix Bolt was denied in the sprint by a head in 27.44. 

Welcome back to Racing Post TV as winners roll

It was great to have the Racing Post TV cameras back at Monmore last night. The team put on a great show with us having four winners.

Lightning Sky got us up and going by taking the opening A2 in 29.15 by 1 1/2 lengths. I hope those blog followers who followed my tips and backed Lightning Sky and also Dixies Craft who put in a super run to take the honours in the second A2 in 29.23. Dixies stayed on very sweetly to win by a hard fought head.

After three disappointing runs Shiners Princess bounced back to form with an all the way victory in the third A2 in 28.95. Our final winner of the evening was the inform Aphrodites Touch who put in an awesome performance to win the S1 in 38.59. This race took a lot of winning as it was highly competitive. 

Making an impact

Cape Impact recorded his first win since joining us last night at Hove. Impact won at the rewarding of 10/1 after taking advantage of trouble round the bends in the sprint over 16.49. Impact ended up taking the race by 2 1/4 lengths. Lets hope this is the first of many wins.

Staff v Owners - 1-0 to the Owners !!

Here we go in Round 1 of the Staff v Owners Challenge. Rules are simple - 1 staff member and 1 owner will go head to head by picking 4 selections at a selected Monmore meeting. The person who declares the most profit to a £10 level stake on each dog will be declared the weekly winner.(A non runner will cost a zero)

This week loyal owner Rich Wood will take me on.

Results 

Rich                                                       Chris

7.39 She Goes On       1st 4/1 +£40.00   7.39 Farloe Star    Unplaced -£10.00
7.54 Ballybunion Man  1st 6/4 +£15.00   8.26 Ballymac Cracker 2nd -£10.00
8.10 Clongeel Lad       3rd -£10.00        8.42 Lightning Sky  1st 2/1 +£20.00
8.58 Swift Helen         2nd -£10.00        9.15 Dixies Craft    1st 9/4 +£22.50

                                Total +£35.00                                  Total +£22.50

Well done to Rich who won on most profit !! 

Don't forget you can watch all the action on Racing Post Greyhound TV either on the web or on Sky channel 212. 

Ninja time at Coventry

 Afan Rico

 Blue Ninja

 Mosca Flyer

Sids Ninja

A great night of racing at Coventry last night which ended us having two winners and a second place. The Old Kentucky Puppy competition put Blue Ninja and Afan Rico together in Heat 1. Rico set the early pace with Ballymac Almighty but it was Blue Ninja who stormed off the last bend to win by a length in 27.61. 

Sids Ninja took Heat 2 when leading all the way and in doing so showing some great all round pace to win by 1 length in 27.52. Kirk Superstar was unplaced in 5th. Mosca Flyer was also unplaced in Heat 3. 

The Final should be very interesting.................

Thank you to Dave Yanez for forwarding images quickly.

Serious Clonmel Puppy prospect to join Westview for sale

The prices we are being quoted for emerging young talent continues to amaze us. Only this week, one of the leading owners in the game today was quoted a quite ridiculous price for a young pup.

A November bitch having her 1st race at Tralee won over the 503m, she recorded a an excellent 29.63. However the price put on this pup was quite simply outrageous.The current owner quoted £55,000 (euros) for her!!  Another bitch Sept 2011 whelp made £25,000 after she won at Limerick over 750 yards (More details available on request)

We are now trying to buy exciting young dogs early doors before they get to dear. We all remember one dog here at Westview Kennels. The Famous 'Express Shuttle'  in his brilliant but short career with us reached tremendous heights. He was quite simply one of the best dogs to emerge from our kennels in many a year. He reached the final of the 2011 Midland Puppy Derby. He led every where but was caught on the line by 'Droopys Greg' to finish 2nd in the final.  'Shuttle' went on to win the Midland Flat Championship at Hall Green in front of the Sky cameras.

Only at the weekend we completed the deal on 'Shuttles' younger 1/2 brother 'Express Master' who made a sensational racing debut at Clonmel, the same track we bought 'Shuttle' from.

'Master' was competing against some very highly regarded pups in the famous 'Droopys Stud' Puppy Stake with some of the leading trainers in Ireland had dogs running in it.

Missing his break  Master' showed terrific back straight pace and from the 2nd to the 3rd bend . Losing 2-3 lengths in running (due to the break) he simply had just too much class & pace as he powered in to the lead at the last bend to win going away by 5 lengths in a terrific 28.99.

A great time when one considers what he lost in running.

                                       ****1st in 28.99 525 yards race Clonmel****

                                                  (Racing debut)

'Express Master' has been recording 28.80 in trials at Clonmel, it was the manner of his victory that excited us as he showed huge pace from the 2nd bend after missing his break.

Please bear in mind 'Clonmel' track was running much faster at the weekend (Sunday night when it was 'done up' for the £25,000 Produce stakes.

acknowledged to be running .20 -.30 spots faster Last sun night)

Express Shuttle recorded 28.78 in his race there - it is our belief 'Express Master' would have recorded this only for missing his break and having to check between the 3rd & 4th bends. His breeders rate 'Express Master' in the same class as 'Express shuttle' - & the likes of 'Express trend'.

Not surprising due to his proven classic class breeding and his winning time a lot of the leading owners & trainers in the UK & Ireland were looking to secure this young puppy . We refused to get in to an auction but because of our previous buying relationship with his breeders and we have been able to secure this pup at what we believe his sensible money compared to what they are looking for other young pups.

'Master' will be aimed at all the major category one events in the NGRC racing calendar.

Please phone me to discuss this tremendous prospect further. This lad will sell quickly quickly, if you are interested please call straight away to avoid disappointment.

Blazer denied by ready for step up

Sadly Chevy Blazer missed the early kick from traps in last nights Maiden Final at Nottingham. She ran on very strongly but couldn't quite catch the leading two who took the race in 28.93. This bitch has some real quality about her and her future will be over 6 bends. 

Kicking start to week

Our grading team started with a bang to the week today with three winners. 

Ballymac Clara got us up and going as she continued her ride up the grades as she took the opening A4. A slow start didn't inconvenience her as he mowed through the field, staying on very strongly to win in 29.59. 

Who Thought It did it the different way by blasting out in front and then digging deep off the final bend with the field closing, finally taking the A4 in 29.69. 

Proud Barney recorded his third career win when taking a very competitive looking A3 in 28.93. Barney earned this win the hard way, crowded in early stages but he rode the trouble like a good dog can to win by 3 1/4 length.

Staff v Owners Challenge

We are going to pilot a feature which will put us the staff against our loyal owners in a tipping challenge for some fun and interaction. On selected nights a staff member and an owner (different one each time) will both select 4 greyhounds of a Monmore meeting in the hoping to out score each other. An imaginey £10 will be placed on each of the dogs selected. The staff member or owner who declares the biggest profit will take the bragging rights. Right then who fancies first go ? (This Thursday will be the selected meeting, person selected will need to send our web man 4 selections by 5pm Thursday) If interested please leave a message on the Facebook post and I'll select the first person to take me on. Come on the Team !

Blazer set for Notts Final

Chevy Blazer is all set for tomorrow nights Corona Maiden Final over 480 metres at Nottingham. Blazer put in a great run last week to reach the Final winning in 28.58. Fingers crossed this daughter of Crash x Lemon Rita has come away from traps well and put in a great run for connections.

Aphrodites finds winning touch

Aphrodites Touch, owned by Mick Giles, recorded her second career win at Monmore to become our only winner of the evening.

The daughter of Crash x Melted Rose was in mid rank for most of the race but then stormed home when staying like an experienced bitch to get up on the line to win by a head in 29.07.

Great news for Greyhound Derby fans

As any greyhound fan I was over the moon to hear this year’s William Hill Derby will be televised live from start to finish after Racing Post Greyhound TV clinched a deal to broadcast the first two rounds of the premier Classic.

Sky Sports had previously agreed to show the third round onwards in an arrangement which, via SIS, for the first time also included getting the latter stages of the Derby into all betting shops.

Jennie Prest, Hill’s sponsorship and PR manager, said yesterday: “Having the whole of the 2013 William Hill Greyhound Derby televised opens the competition up for punters and greyhound fans alike to follow the complete Derby story, from the very first heat to finals night.

"It’s a great opportunity to showcase the sport to the widest ever audience and our thanks goes to everyone who has made this happen. We are looking forward to working with RPGTV to put on four great shows for the first and second rounds.”

Clive Feltham, MD of the GRA, the operators of Wimbledon, added: “With every round televised, no one need miss a second of this thrilling competition. Its unrestricted format definitely make it the greatest greyhound race in the world.”

On our entries are still very much undecided at this stage but we will post any plans as soon as we are decided.

Force be with you

Thursdays evening meeting proved to be very successful for the kennel with four superb winners. 

After a slow start to his career Oneco Express has certainly found his feet with his second win on the bounce when taking the A5 with a gutsy win in 28.79. 

I was over the moon to get the pictured Driving Force back to winning ways when he took the S3 by a huge 7 3/4 lengths in 39.45. This was the dogs first win since October last year. 

Galtee Star stepped up another grade when she took the A7 in 29.34. This daughter of Kiowa Sweet Trey has now recorded three wins in her blossoming career and fingers crossed she will continue to move through the grades.

Our final winner of a great evening was Vedfield Solid who took the toughest races on the card, the A1, winning in 28.88. Solid won this race the hard way with a real battling performance to win by 2 3/4 lengths but being brace throughout. This son of Droopys Scolari is coming back to his best and I'm sure connections were over the moon as he recorded his 12th career win. 

Daddy struts his stuff at KInsley

Daddy Knows Best owned by Roy and Ed Nichols ran a blinder in front of the TV cameras last night when taking the Betfred Goals Galore Standard Open Race. Daddy lead from the moment the traps opened to win by 1 1/2 lengths in 27.75. (Photo from Wimbledon)

Strategic Review ran a very honest and sold performance in the Gymcrack Final but could never get on terms after trouble on the first corner, finishing third in 27.68. 

Blazing victory

Chevy Blazer romped to a huge 9 1/2 length success ay Nottingham on Monday to record her first open race win. Blazer was smartly away from traps and didn't see another dog in the contest winning in 29.58. This should be the first of many wins for the daughter of Crash x Lemon Rita.

Queen set for UK ownership

Last week took arrival of an exciting young puppy called Five Alley Queen is only 27th Oct 20011 puppy.

The previous week she gave a terrific performance for one so young at one of Irelands 'slower' running tracks Thurles, which is rated .40 spots slower than the likes of Shelbourne ,Tralee and Limerick.

Drawn 3 she was never headed as she left her rivals trailing behind. She clocked a brilliant 29.35 to win her race easily.

                                  ****1st in 29.35 525 yards race Thurles****

A fabulous run for one so young. Five Alley Queen is classically bred as her sire  'Cashen Legend'  whowon the £35,000 Irish Laurels and has already produced such great dogs as Cashen Mafuma, winner of the 2012 Irish St.Leger, rated 131 on g.data. 'Skate on' is one of the best bitches in England and runner up in the 2012 English Oaks.

We have bought many of our top open class racers from Thurles track and feel the form stands up very well. The likes of 'Pots and Pans' 29.21 Thurles , 'Mashed Potatoes' and Gold cup runner up 'Rackethall Hero' .

All of the above cost a lot more than 'Five Alley Queen' will cost. We have struck a deal with the owner which we think reflects a very fair price for a puppy of her age and winning time.

She will be aimed at all the major puppy open competitions. Please phone me further to discuss this tremendous young puppy. £3,000

It's a cracker

A cracking night for us at our home track of Monmore.

Ballymac Cracker started the ball rolling when she took the opening race on the card which was an A6. Quickly in to stride from her trap six position she lead all the way to win in 29.01. 

The fast improving pup Blue Ninja made it three wins from his last four starts when showing some serious gears in the A2 when winning by a huge 5 1/4 lengths in 28.75. 

Our final winner of the evening was by the inform Direct Hit who recorded her third straight win when taking the S2 in 38.84.

Express Delivery

Oneco Delivery recorded a first class run on Thursday evening to record his first success at Monmore. He started well in the A6 contest only to be crowded on the first bend however he chased the leader hard and forced he way back to the front in the home straight and then to go on to win by 2 1/4 lengths in 28.99. 

Moving to Friday, Ballencrieff Lad made it two wins on the bounce when he took the A6 when storming home through the field to win by 1 1/4 lengths by 29.25. 

Bolt of Lightning at Romford

Lightning Sky (currently for sale) reached Fridays Coral on TV Maiden Stayers on Monday night at Romford. Sky took advantage the wide draw to lead all the way to win by 2 lengths in 24.42. If he can produce that sort of break again in Fridays Final then if could have a repeat success, fingers crossed.

No stopping the Superstar

Kirk Superstar is amazingly still for sale after his third win on the bounce at Monmore yesterday. Upped in class again to very competitive A3 Kirk was quickly away from traps and lead all the way, fighting of a challenge of Norman Warrior to win in 29.47. 

If you are interested in purchasing this July 2011 puppy please call me. You couldn't have a more in form dog to own who is still on the upgrade.

Solid performance for Vedfield

Vedfield Solid returned to winning ways at Monmore last night with a deserved victory in the A2. Solid lead the outer path all the way whilst Clongeel Spud lead through the middle and inner. Just when it looked like Spud would hold on, Vedfield found another burst to pace to win by 1/2 length in 28.60. I was really pleased for connections as they have been very patient with this dog in recent months.

Gymcrack Final for Strategic Review

Strategic Review reached his second major Final of his short career today when he finished second in the Semi Final to Fridays Shame. Fridays Shane got first run on the field and despite a ding dang battle it was Fridays Shane who took the honours in 27.41.

I'm over the moon with the draw for Final which sees Review getting Trap 1. I'd say we have Sidaz Scotty to beat on the night of the Final. I'd love to see Review lead around that first corner.

Final Draw
1) Strategic Review
2) Fridays Shane
3) Sidaz Scotty
4)Young Golden
5) Droopys Odell
6) Borna Bob

Reluctance Sale (Updated)

One of our leading owners is looking to move on a couple of his current team as he is looking to reinvest in a high class competition dog. All the below dogs are fit and will continue to run until sold.

Sharp Bullet (£2,000) - A winner of eight races. A winner at Romford, Monmore, Henlow. Very versatile. A nice recruit for any new owner.(SOLD)

Blue Ninja (£2,000) - A July 2011 pup on huge upward curse. A winner of his last two races (A3,A2). The lad is serious value. (SOLD)

Sids Ninja (£2,500) - A 24.30 Open race winner at Romford, this youngster has plenty of improvement to come.

Lightning Sky (£3,000) - A super dog who stays 480 but is suited better to tracks like Romford and Peterboro. Three times a winner so far. Will be winning again very soon.

Kirk Superstar (£1,500) - A July 2011 pup about of Ninja Jamie x Cabra Fly, fantastic litter. This stunning blue pup has won four races including his last two. I expect this lad to sell within minutes of posting such is his sale price.

Please call immediately to snap up up one of the above.

Cluxtons goes fishing for Barracuda

The Golden Sprint started at Romford last night attracting the countries leading speedsters. A big crowd were treated to some fantastic racing.

Our Puppy Derby winner Cluxtons Free (pictured) caught the eye in Heat 4 when taking this competitive heat in 4 in 24.48. Cluxtons had a real battle with Droopys Stevie throughout the race but it was Cluxtons who stayed on best to win by 1 1/2 lengths.

Barrie Draper's Farloe Barracuda looks like the competitions dog to beat after impressing in Heat 5 winning in 23.93. 

Gymcrack 1st Round Video

Thought you would like to see Strategic Review's first round win at Kinsley in the Gymcrack.

In the money at Hove

The Mick Giles owned Afew Dollarsmore recorded his first victory for us last night when landing the odds at Hove. Dollars was very brave in the early part of the race and then forced his way clear coming out of the third bend. From that point forward there was no catching him as he went on to win by 3 3/4 lengths in 42.62. 

We also had two seconds on the card Chevy Blazer and Clydagh Mickey. 

Monmore Thursday Hatrick

A great night of competitive grading racing at Monmore last night with us coming away with three nice winners. Direct Hit was first to oblige when she made it back to back S2 wins in 39.36 by 3 lengths. Another dog making it two wins straight was the improving pup Blue Ninja who stepped up to A2 without an issue to win by 1 3/4 lengths in 29.13. Our final winner of the evening was Ballymac Clara who stormed to a huge 5 1/2 length win in the A5 in 29.04. 

Sweep stars on home turf

Start Itup Sweep (pictured) stormed to a two length win this afternoon when taking a very competitive A2 at Monmore. The change of scenery at Hove seemed to have worked a treat as he overcame early crowding to force his way clear coming out of the second bend. Once in front there was no stopping him record his sixth career win in 28.99.

7th Monmore title awarded

Monmore Green kindly awarded me with their Trainer of the Year trophy for 2012. This is the 7th consecutive year we have won this prestigious award and I'm sure Paul Sallis will push us hard in 2013.

I would like to thank my loyal owners for their continued support and of course the team here at Westview for grafting endless hours to keep us on top of tree. 

Strategic lays down Gymcrack credentials

Strategic Review put forward his Gymcrack credentials when he took Heat 6 of the Betfred sponsored event held at Kinsley. Coming away smartly from his trap 1 draw he was never headed in the 462 metre contest, winning by 1 length in 27.41. 

Sadly Sids Ninja and Borna Hiker were both eliminated from Heat 5 when suffering traffic problems. 

Thirsty work at Monmore

Its great to see the tracks supporting social media and we were very grateful to win Follow @monmoredogs on Twitter trophy on Saturday with the well bred Ballymac Thirsty. Thirsty showed some nice early pace and then stayed on very strongly off the last bend to take the A4 in 29.07. The young September 2011 pup should go on to win many more races.