The 2021 edition looks to have the usual exciting front-runners who are looking to set the track alight.
Minglers to Produce Eye Popping Performance
Minglers Popeye has been seen in race action just the once since winning the Ladbrokes Gold Cup at Monmore in August. He was a slick trial winner in 27.11 here in a warm up for this competition last week so looks in good heart ahead of his return.
He surprised a few when making it to the quarter-final stage of the Derby at Towcester shortly after joining Stuart Tighe but has shown that to be no fluke since. One of the leading players for overall glory, he can get his campaign off to a winning start at 19.09.
Tighe to Double up in Opening Round
Tighe can win the opening heat at 18.51 as well, this time with Mindhowyougo. He has made a quick start for this kennel, winning three of his first four starts for them (including here) with a short head second his only defeat.
There are some very slick times on his Irish card. 20 spots off the 306m track record at Drumbo in May, he has a huge turn of early pace and this track is the perfect place to show it off.
Droopys to Dazzle Them
This track is not really stiff enough for Droopys Dazzler but it didn’t stop him producing a pair of smart times in defeat here in April and May. A Ladbrokes Gold Cup finalist in August, he picked up wins at Newcastle and Sheffield last month.
He has been a smart performer for Angela Harrison for some time now and can find his way to the front where it matters in the 19.26 to add a 13th open race success to his career total.
Red-Hot Harrison Kennel to Strike Again
Harrison can double up on the card courtesy of Coolavanny Galiv at 19.58. He has run in sprints the last twice but showed what he was capable of over this 450m course in the Arc Puppy Cup in June.
He was third in the final having led them to halfway. At the semi-final stage of that competition he beat Brookside Richie who has turned into a very smart hound since, that level of form would be enough to win this.
Heilbron to Make Sunderland Venture Pay Off
Smart dual-distance performer, Little Venture split decisions with tonight’s rival Freedom Whiskey when they met twice here in June. A 27.15 success for the selection was the quicker of the two wins, trialling well again here of late.
He has some smart winning form at both Nottingham and Sheffield since his success here and can show his early gears to great effect once more for Tom Heilbron in the 20.12.