Tonight at Romford

By Romford Raider

Tonight see's the final of the Essex Vase over 575m at Romford. The race is wide open with four of the six runners all having a genuine chance of winning and even from watching all the heats and semi-finals I still can't put my finger on the winner.

If I did have to put my finger on one it would have to be the Trap 3 runner Go Big Hitter who is a 3.75 chance with Victor Chandler and if the draw had worked in his favour and been handed the red jacket he might of been trading at just about 2.0 but he has a tough job of clearing the Trap 2 runner Bourne Masons.

The supporting card is top class and the best that has been on for a while.

Going through the races one particular greyhound sticks out both on his draw and also the monster price that is available and that is Dean Childs trap 6 runner Fire For Effect in the 21:10.

A best time over course and distance of 23.94 back on the 30th October shows his liking for the Romford circuit together with a sub 3.60 sectionals shows he is not short of pace.

The race in question has some very speedy sorts.

  Me Buddy trained by Matt Dartnall is one of the tightest railers on the open race circuit and is 3 lengths faster when drawn red. A natural sprinter with tremendous early pace, he seems to be staying on well with age over C&D. He is prone to the odd lapse at the boxes and last time when running on SKY made a complete hash of the start. Seems the whole country wants to be on him tonight and at present has been one of the best backed of the day.

  Jolly Poacher trained by Richard Yeates also has tremendous early pace but will have his job cut out to clear Me Buddy to the corner. He has posted quick 24.06 in a trial. He hasn't shown his potential in races around the London Road circuit would have been a big player if drawn red. Would like to see him come away which has the making of a big tangle with Me Buddy on the first bend.

  Black Eyed Boss trained by Jim Reynolds is one of my Romford favourites, a gutsy runner who possesses good early zip and is one of the hardest runners to pass when hitting the front. Finds himself in the 'ping box' tonight and would have to make one of his career best start tonight to clear the inside 2. His price truly reflects his chances.

  Uncle Ollie trained by Pat Rosney was a good winner on last week’s Sky meeting from Nottingham. Well supported on the night he beat some good sorts. The lack of a look round Romford is a real concern especially up against these sorts. This is one to keep your eye on over the next 6 months, but tonight can easily be ignored.

  Deenridge Imp trained by Paul Young has had several C&D distance wins but I noted on 30th October when winning from Trap 6 he turned left from the traps showing a preferred middle course and really needs to be drawn closer to the rails. A quick dog in his own right but can't win tonight. With the likely hood of him moving towards the middle tonight it will provide my selection a clear passage being the only wide runner.

  FIRE FOR EFFECT trained by Dean Childs will need to show more zip from the boxes tonight and if coming away on terms if not leading, can see him take pole position from the 3 bend from Me Buddy. The only negative about my selection that when he does show his customary early pace he can cut in at the first bend, he doesn't have a tendency to do it every time but with plenty of pace coming up the rails a middle course round the first bend can see him get a clear run.

This race has TROUBLE written all over it, especially from the three railers. If me Buddy was to come away unaffected I would be hoping for my selection to get within 1-2 lengths going down the back straight and to hit the front at the 3rd.

I have tissued the race up the following

Me Buddy 2.75
Fire For Effect 3.0
Jolly Poacher 6.0
Black Eyed Boss 7.0
Uncle Ollie 9.0
Deanridge Imp 11.0

The 5.0 on offer with Skybet is simply too big.

Tip: FIRE FOR EFFECT 4pts @ 5.0 with Skybet