Romford best bets: Dark Recruit drawn to shine

Dark Recruit ready to rock at Romford

T1 Dark Recruit looks drawn to deliver in the heat three of the Romford Night 500 at 20:34 on tonight’s 13-race Open card at the Essex venue screened live on Racing Post Greyhound TV (sky 369, Freesat 250).

David Pruh’s charge made the finals of the Puppy Cup over course and distance back in September and was particularly impressive when winning his semi by two lengths from Kooga Klammer.

The son of Romeo Recruit produced a 3.77 sectional from the one box to grab the rails, lead at the first and score in a very quick time of 23.99.

That sets the standard in this line-up and Dark Recruit again looks ideally housed to ping out and boss the inside with the distinct possibility that his kennelmate in Trap 2 will move off and clash with T3 Toothill Wizard who is sure to be cutting in.

If turning in front, Dark Recruit is a powerful sort and will be very hard to peg back.

Pass To Go poised for more success

T6 Pass To Go is another that looks to have a peach of a draw and rates a solid bet in heat two of the Romford Night 500 (20:18).

Bob Pattinson’s dog thrives around the venue and has won 10 of his 42 starts at it.

He also has a strike rate of 25 per cent from the stripes and comes into the contest in top form having won two of his last three starts.

On each occasion he has shown his customary early pace to sweep wide and lead at the first bend to put the race quickly to bed.

With four railers and a middle runner on his inner, Pass To Go looks ideally housed as the sole wide seed to capitalise on any crowding and once again slip clear of the pack.

Chopchop Mabel can triumph in Sprint Final

In the Romford Friday Night 500 Sprint Final (21:06), T5 Chopchop Mabel in fancied to emerge victorious in a race where several of the runners are closely matched.

The selection beat T2 Canvas Costa three starts back but that rival gained his revenge next time up when scoring by a short-head.

Chopchop Mabel also finished behind T3 Well Reem last week when sent off odds-on, but was only beaten just over a length into third.

The key as to whom will come out on top on this occasion will be who leads at the first and there is little doubt that Mabel has the pace to do just that.

She is also four from seven when wearing the orange jacket and that is a big plus in a race where there could be some scrimmaging on the inside.

Thirteen Bags worth a bet

T3 Thirteen Bags looks decent value to make a winning debut at the track in the 575m Stayers (22:11).

Diane Henry’s charge is a classy sort who ran really well when powering home to beaten just a neck by the very smart and ill-fated California in the heats of the Puppy Derby at Henlow.

He backed that up with a strong finishing third to Clondoty Alex in the semis and comes into the race having got back to winning ways with an impressive 3 1/4 length success at that venue five days ago.

The son of Hondo Black packs a real strong punch at the business end of affairs and if holding his pitch at the first bend is going to be hard to contain if within striking distance of the leaders as they turn for home.