Timeform greyhounds preview and free betting tips: Joe Nordoff selections for weekend action

Recommended bets, Saturday August 29

1pt win double Signet Ace (T2) in 7.41 Monmore and Shrewd Call (T2) in 8.12 Monmore

1pt win double Queen Jessiej (T2) in 8.46 Monmore and Waltham Magic (T5) in 9.01 Monmore

We were treated to some tremendous action at Monmore last Saturday with a host of open race stars strutting their stuff at the West Midlands venue.

The action steps up another notch with a quartet of finals reaching their climax and Joe Nordoff from Timeform gives us his tips.

The Ladrbokes.com 480 Puppy Final takes centre stage at 7.41 and while cramped odds are on the cards, it is difficult to see past Kevin Hutton’s SIGNET ACE (Trap 2, TF 130).

The September 18 whelp came with a big reputation being a son of connections’ tremendous bitch Forest Natalee and has not disappointed, recording a Timeform figure of 135 when making all by 6 ¾ lengths from re-opposing Notouttheway last weekend.

It’s conceivable to see him quickly seize an early lead but he’s already proven that isn’t a necessity when coming from mid division to score at Newcastle in July.

As mentioned, with odds on the skinny side, there may be some mileage in a forecast play, a big danger in our book coming in the shape of Droopys Delight (Trap 4, TF 119) who is fancied to take a step forward from his first competitive outing at Monmore behind Holdem Laura (Trap 1 TF, 117) 7 days ago.

SHREWD CALL (Trap 2, TF 130) had already proven himself a sprinter of serious merit for David Mullins, his success in the Silver Salver at Central Park in July a most taking performance and he only enhanced his reputation when landing his respective heat of this 264-metre comp last Saturday.

Breaking moderately, he looked to be in a tricky spot around the opening bend but displayed a fine burst of early pace to emerge as the leader off the second bend, clearing away from Swift Guard (Trap 4, TF112) by 2 lengths.

The move to the blue jacket should hold no fears and he can go through the gears to pass this test and register another big-race success on his C.V. Pull The Trigger (Trap 1, TF 116) may utilise what could end up a good make-up on the rails and emerge as the forecast play on this occasion.

This year’s Monmore Gold Cup has served up an absolute cracking final with a host of the leading protagonists making the final six and in a race that may well be decided at the boxes, a chance for QUEEN JESSIEJ (Trap 2 TF 136) to come out on top.

A winner from the white jacket in the opening round, she highlighted her versatility and well-being when bolting clear from the red jacket 7 days ago for a facile success over Gonzo (Trap 6, TF 126).

The move to blue will hold no terrors for the daughter of the tremendous Skate On, and our thinking is she can steal first march on the run to the corner and have enough in reserve. Droopys Addition (Trap 4, TF 131) has steadily gathered momentum post lockdown (boasts an excellent C&D record) and was another impressive scorer from red seven days ago, dipping under the 28-second barrier in the process.

His make-up looks a good one in this field and he can emerge as the lead threat. In truth, the one who arguably emerged with most credit from the semi-finals was Hiya Boyo (Trap 1) not least in taking the scalp of powerhouse Bockos Doomie, posting a smashing Timeform figure of 140 in the process.

He’s clearly a player (Master Rating now standing at 131) but will need to be on his metal at the boxes now operating on the fence.

It's fair to say the final of the Summer Stayers Classic at 9.01 is another race to savour for greyhound enthusiasts with a smashing final to enjoy, a fine mix of proven/unexposed sorts taking each other on for the 630-metre prize.

Bubbly Dave (Trap 3, TF 124) arrived on these shores with a big reputation and unsurprisingly has been quick to make an impact, impressing with his track craft and mid-race pace to emerge victorious in both his respective heats to date, justifying his position at the head of the market.

However, drawn outside early-paced pair, Daddys Prince and Beechgrove Bell, he’s no sure thing to get a clear passage around the opening bends and with that in mind it may pay to side with another bright prospect in the shape of WALTHAM MAGIC (Trap 5, TF 131).

As documented last week, Angela Harrisons charge is a daughter of marvellous marathon performer Roxholme Magic, and could hardly have made her way to the final any easier, her early pace looking a potent weapon now operating as a staying type.

Her make-up in orange looks a good one this evening and we’re happy to side with her to steal first march and hopefully have enough in reserve once more off the final bend.

Regency winner Zascandil (Trap 4, TF 130) has done well to reach another major final but could do with sharpening up at the boxes if he’s to feature judged on recent exploits, while classy local Kingsbrook Glyn (Trap 6) is a big threat out wide and is one to include for forecast/tricast purposes.

Preview posted at 1100 BST on 28/08/2020

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