All the latest from Crayford Greyhound Track
08:00, 11 June 2014
updated: 10:17, 11 June 2014
Aoifes Magpie will return to top grade A1 after an eye-catching win a week ago at A2 level in 23.62sec over 380 metres.
She has only had one previous race in the top grade, back in January, when the local bookmakers sent her off at no-hope odds of 12-1.
What was interesting was that, despite their opinion, she finished in second place. Surprisingly, the racing officer dropped her back straight away to A2, which she duly won.
I suppose the consensus would be she is probably an A2-level dog but could spring a surprise against the right company in a top grade race.
Trainer Jean Liles will have been pleased with the sustained form of Samphire Mia over the last two months, with the dog finishing outside of the first three in just one race out of 10. The trend looks set to continue over 380 and 540 metres.
She is a trio backer’s dream and for a greyhound prone to missing her break when the traps open, she has shown that even from this disadvantageous position, she is capable of getting in the frame.
Equally adept over both distances, her latest wins have been in grades A7 and S6.
Over the hurdles, Another Dilemma has been somewhat of a sensation lately having won three of his last four starts which undoubtedly makes him one of the most improved greyhounds that we have.
His rise from grade H3 in January has seen the dog take on the best and beat them, as was the case last Saturday in the 380m hurdles for a fast 23.45.
There were some decent dogs behind him but, nonetheless, he started 2-1 favourite – a sign of the respect bookmakers are showing towards him.
Could trainer Patsy Cusack enter Another Dilemma in an open race here soon? It has to be a possibility, and he should give a good account of himself if it happens.