Red jacket the key to Razldazl Rioga
The National Puppy Stake winner was probably a shade unlucky to run into an on-song Slick Seattle in that five-dog race on Monday night and, given that there isn’t a rival of that ability in opposition this time, he should come home clear.
Glenanore ran an eye-catching race last time and while unproven at this level, is also drawn to run a big race.
Razldazl Rioga must be drawn inside to show his best form and, given that he will don the red jacket here, he can add to last week’s impressive opening round success.
Dolores Ruth’s dog showed terrific pace to the third bend on that occasion and a similar display should allow him take the lead along his favoured rail pitch.
Leeview Jet has suffered with the draw in the past number of weeks but has the pace and experience to provide the biggest danger to the selection. Slick Seattle, who was fastest of the first round winners, may struggle to find a clear passage.
The Tom O’Neill-trained Dream Walker made a winning start to his Laurels campaign and he’s drawn to follow-up in the final heat of the night, which will be a five-dog race due to the absence of Tyrur Babylon. Keeping fellow Derby finalist Rockview Head at bay in the opening yards will be key to his chances.
It’s difficult to know what to make of the last effort of Spearhawk, who showed incredible pace to the turn but didn’t run the bends particularly fluently. He’s much better than that and if he is one hundred percent for tonight’s race, he will be in front and could make them all go.
Rockchase Bullet caught most eyes when overcoming a missed break to win handsomely in the first round but I felt it may have left him with some questions to answer. Tonight’s third heat, in which he’s drawn between early-pacers Getbackontrack and Sede Vacante will provide the sort of test that will reveal whether or not he can with this stake outright.
He possesses more pace than his rivals and is the most likely winner but it wouldn’t be prudent to take too short a price about him. If Sede Vacante gets loose early, it could be hard to peg him back. Elsewhere, if Newlawn Tock can win the fifth heat, he will announce himself as a real contender.
