There is less than a week until the start of the English Greyhound Derby at Towcester. While that will fill the column inches next Friday night, this week sees Romford take usual pride of place as the best way to kick start the weekend.
Power to Fight Them Off in the Rose Bowl
Connections will have been delighted with the performance from Fight The Power in the Rose Bowl heats last week, doing everything right from the start. He quickly opened up a lead over 575m and never looked like coming back.
A draw in one is not entirely ideal for him but he is the sole railer in the contest so should have the inside to himself at 20.54. This will require a similar break to the one he got seven nights back, but he can turn an early lead into another victory for Carol Weatherall.
Cain Can Banish Rivals to Land of Nod
It was a bad time for Bubbly Cain to miss the kick last week. He was only beaten a length in the end and can time his break better to claim the 20.38 for trainer Paul Young.
That was a messy race through the middle and his break meant he was not in a position to take advantage. He had been in excellent form in sprint contests prior to that and if he can use that pace better over 400m, he can turn on the front end and slip clear off the second turn.
Raise a Glass to Wallis in the Last
Antigua Rum returned from six months off to make the final of the Essex Vase over this 575m trip in January. He always needs a slice of luck to come from behind around this tight track but connections of his rivals will be anxiously scanning the field for him from halfway.
At the semi-final stage of that Category 1 competition, he stopped the clock in 34.80. That is the fourth quickest time of 2021 so far and a repeat of that would blow the 21.28 field apart to close out the card with a winner for Mark Wallis.
The Red Jacket Looks the Right Colour Match
Pantone Whisper versus Playbook should be a clash to savour in the 19.36 over 400m. The first heat of a bitches competition, she can take full advantage of having the inside draw for David Mullins.
She has the early pace to keep her main danger to her outside at the opening turn and armed with the stronger staying power of the pair over this trip, she can gradually outstay the Mark Wallis-trained hound.
Early Pace Can See Railer Holdem Off
The other heat of the bitches competition can see Holdem Lauren take the glory at 19.56. Another to sport the red jacket, this time for Carol Weatherall, she can use her smart early pace to take this by the scruff of the neck from the second the lids fly up.
Twice a slick winner here last September, she was unlucky to get knocked over in the final of the Guys & Dolls competition. Things have not been entirely straightforward for her since but the return to this track can see her prosper.