Our expert is back with analysis and selections for three races on Monday's evening card at Nottingham.
It is always an exciting time of the year as the brighter evenings emerge and the days get longer. We have another busy start to the week with action from several venues including Nottingham, who stage a card with three open races. I will be focusing on that Nottingham card for my Monday selections, which will also be shown live on the main Sky Sports Racing channel along with races from Swindon and Monmore.
My first fancy at Colwick Park comes in the graded programme, where I’m tipping BOPPIN BILLIE (3) to make all in the second A4 contest (18.56) on the card. There is quite a lot of early speed in this race, but Boppin Billie (3) is capable of a 5.13 sectional and, with her early pace, should be in command at the first curve, as the two greyhounds on her inside don’t have the same pace to the bend. The daughter of Magical Bale has a class edge over her rivals, and I doubt that any of these will be capable of back running her if she gets to the front early doors.
BOYNESIDE BIGMAC (3) is the one I like in the nottingham-greyhounds.co.uk Sprint Trophy (19.49). He was very much best of the rest when well beaten by Coppice Rocket in the ARC Sprint Trophy here last Monday. The brindle faces nothing of that calibre tonight though, and with one of his customary fast starts he can make all. The selection finished ahead of both Salacres Blake (4) and De Bumblebee (1) last time, and I can't find a reason why either of those should get closer to Boyneside Bigmac (3) in this spot.
I am willing to take a chance in the nottingham-greyhounds.co.uk Maiden Stayers Trophy (20.26) with PLATINUMHEATWAVE (3). Stamina for the 680m distance is a big concern for the majority of the field, but Jill Llewellin’s dog has always struck me as the type who would take his form to another level when trying the stayers’ trip. He quite often gets tapped for speed over 500m, but he hasn’t been disgraced in open company at all lately. If he can avoid the trouble spots early on, he may be able to take up the running by the fifth bend. It’s then just a case of hoping he stays the extra distance.
Best Bets
18.56 Nottingham Boppin Billie (Trap 3)
19.49 Nottingham Boyneside Bigmac (Trap 3)
20.26 Nottingham Platinumheatwave (Trap 3)