JONATHAN HOBBS: There’s another fantastic night’s racing at Romford ahead with the start of the Coral Essex Vase the undoubted highlight.


A host of old favourites and 575m specialists spice the card and, as ever, the supporting races over a variety of distances are also top notch.

Therefore, sandwiched between the RPGTV St Leger and M Lambe Birmingham Cup at Perry Barr on Thursday and the Ladbrokes Kent Derby semi-finals at Central Park on Sunday, it makes for a superb few days for greyhound fans.

Eyes down for Romford tonight and a few tasty potential wagers below on the Betdaq betting exchange.

Romford Friday

6.43: Heat one of the Essex Vase and the inside traps can hold sway. Ernie Gaskin’s Droopys Aoife is well pitched against the rail and will soon be pitching for the lead – and the victory – having shown not just early pace but battling qualifies to win last week – she’s the reigning champion after all! However any mistakes and another 575m kingpin Desperado Dan pounces. He’s never easily beaten and will prove tough for Ivy Hill Skyhigh to get round in the dash to the bend.

Play: Droopys Aoife

6.58: This heat two of the Essex Vase might be decided on the break. Both Fight The Power and Sober Express were out-and-gone last week and same again for either could see them hold the aces. However, the latter gets the same white jacket which might just make Mark Wallis’s dog the percentage call. He’s possibly open to more improvement, too – although the red jacket will need no second invitation to lead up himself should T3 miss the up.

Play: Sober Express

7.36: This could prove a decent night for the Gaskin camp. Ernie’s Droopys Addition also looks well pitched inside and, if trapping as he did last week, another all-the-way win is on the cards given a flying 34.84sec posted last week. He should win the early battle, although a smash break from the capable Perrys Choice could put him in the van. Kilmessan Puma also brings decent local 575m form to the table.

Play: Droopys Addition

7.56: The penultimate Essex Vase heat and Swift Tarquin has run some decent races in defeat behind top-class Droopys Aoife – and might enjoy his time in the spotlight here. It looks an ace draw inside and a decent enough exit soon puts the John Mullins runner in the vanguard potentially. He’s a much experienced performer with form over further so will not be stopping. Black Olive has run some good races here at Romford so must be respected.

Play: Swift Tarquin

8.17: The sixth and final Essex Vase heat now and the outside three traps might hold most attention. The Yarmouth pair of Swift Cope and Swift Addition are certainly capable if leading up, with the orange jacket running an impressive race before being picked up by Droopys Aoife last week. However, most of Sparta Master’s best races have come here at Romford and Sharon Thompson’s dog is clearly in great heart judged on a flying 34.88sec recent trial. His pace and power could be tough to hold not just tonight – but outright, too!

Play: Sparta Master 

8.54: A mainstay of any multiples on the card could be Bubbly Cristal. She won heat and final of a stayers’ event last week at Central Park and has clearly improved from her odds-on defeat on debut over C&D last month. She starts and stays too well for these.

Play: Bubbly Cristal

9.12: Goldies Hoddle remains one of the very best in training. His record of 27 wins from 71 starts is superb, but his strike-rate at Romford is even better! The 400m here plays to his strengths and Patrick Janssens’ consistent sort is drawn to notch a fifth straight C&D victory – and that’s despite a quality line-up against him.

Play: Goldies Hoddle

Good luck all.

@Hobbsy67


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