Matt first went racing in February 1982 at just 3 months old. Attracted to the sport by Desert Orchid in the late 80's, a media degree started a path to horse racing journalism. Owner of many horses and greyhounds through the years, the latter has led to the formation of the myracing greyhound syndicate, a Greyhound Writers Association membership as well as appearances on Racing Post Greyhound TV.
Ears always prick up in greyhound racing when a downgrade is mentioned, a drop in class can often be a more winnable opportunity and a confidence booster. Jose had a recent downgrade to A3, bolted up before putting A2 rivals to the sword the very next race. A boost in confidence and a clean run round would be a help to Nuka at the moment, she has a downgrade this afternoon. Our greyhound tips will be online before 6pm tonight, looking to add to the 52/1 & 17/1 Acca winners, as well as the 3/1 and 9/4 NAP scorers already this week!
2.42pm Crayford 18/01/2018 A6 Grade
Daretobe Smart – Veteran tends to struggle when she gets this high up the grades, just a 1/25 record at A6 level. She is going to need luck to go her way from the back, but with a number of short runners in here, it might just fall in her lap.
Lismore Sophie – Produced a career best sectional to win an A7 just after Christmas, recording 24.15. That is only a spot off her best time so she is going to have to hit the lids once more to get competitive on the clock, despite a slow starter to her left.
Deecees Jet – Inconsistent at lid rise but won in this grade back in November. She has a great draw to work from with no early pace inside her but this trip is as far as she wants to go and struggling to break 24 seconds, she is going to need trouble behind.
Whats Susan Upto – Similar to the 3 insomuch as this is far enough for her but she has more consistent early pace. She has occasional early pace on both sides of her so she is going to need to be on her toes but is arguably the one to beat on the bunny.
Droopys Nuka – Having gone 23.93 or quicker in five races in a six race spell in July/August, Nuka has failed to dip under 24 seconds in a race since. The orange jacket does little for confidence despite the downgrade, with pace to clear inside her. Just 1 of her best 8 sectionals have come from 5, but this is such a weak A6 she might just get away with it.
Droopys Capel – Veteran has struggled since coming to this track, unable to reproduce her A2 Wimbledon best. She has been trapping a little better of late which she will need to again with plenty of early to clear if the hounds inside are at their best.
Conclusion
A weak A6 with a record of just 5/74 between the 6 runners when competing at this level. The 4 is the NAP of the Racing Post despite the fact that she is 0/12 in this grade and 0/7 when drawn in 4. She does at least have the most consistent early pace at this level which probably does make her the one to beat. Nuka has struggled in the main since August, especially when clad in orange, but this is such a modest race for the grade that she might get away with it. The 1 stays this trip well and with predominantly short runners in here, she may find them stopping in front of her at the right time.