IN a first for MrFixitsTips we have some greyhound racing tips on the site, courtesy of Jack Watson who previews Friday's meeting a Romford.
The moment greyhound racing fans have been waiting for! Yes Open Racing, essentially the sport’s highest grade of action, makes a triumphant return to our screens on Friday with Romford staging a 12 race card, with 11 of the races being Open events. As you would expect, the meeting will take place behind closed doors with strict social distancing protocols in place.
Only 75 people are allowed at the venue to enable the smooth running of the meeting. However, you can watch all of the action live on Racing Post Greyhound TV, a channel which is accessible on Sky (channel 175), Freesat (channel 176) and Freeview (channel 264).
We’ve previewed the action at Romford with our six best bets which can hopefully get your weekend off to a good start.
6.28pm Romford: Ballintemple Fly (Trap Three)
Ernie Gaskin’s dog quite clearly brings the best form to the table. However, he’s been a dealt a cruel blow by being drawn in trap three, a berth from which he has never been successful.
He returned from the lockdown in fine fettle with an east win from trap one on June 12 by seven and a half-lengths. He was quickly away on that occasion and never looked like being caught. The son of Romeo Recruit showed plenty of early dash on his latest outing but struggled to land a blow, eventually finishing third.
He drops back in trip to 225m here and I think this could be the making of him. His trial time of 13.60s was striking and is the best on offer. Whilst the draw is a major concern, his propensity to show good early pace could ensure that he avoids trouble.
Grampy Bill in trap two will give him the most to think about following a pleasing trial time in May.
6:58 Romford: Seaglass Shadow (Trap Five)
A proper event featuring some classy bitches. Seaglass Shadow has a glittering back catalogue at Romford which included a smooth success in a decent time on her latest start.
A solid Open Race performance, she was successful in this company before the lockdown and is ultra-consistent. Her draw in trap five looks fine given she has winning form from this berth, which is a direct contrast to her main market rival Pink Osteria who is poorly drawn in trap three.
She was very impressive from trap one on her latest start in a time of 23.99s, the best achieved by any of the six runners.
However, she has yet to win from this trap and could get herself into all sorts of trouble. By contrast, our selection should hopefully avoid any traffic problems and could be very tough to beat.
7:18 Romford: Piemans Tom (Trap One)
This looks one of the weaker races on the card and looks a straight shootout between our selection Piemans Tom and Adageo Blue in trap two.
Piemans Tom is proven A1 performer with his two runs since the resumption of racing being creditable efforts. Second on June 12, he lost all chance at the first bend last time out and can be forgiven for that mishap. Whilst it is slightly concerning that he lacks winning form in anything above A3 level, he was not disgraced in an Open Race at Central Park in March.
He has never been drawn in trap one, but that does not look too much of a concern given Adageo Blue is slow away in trap two usually. With that in mind, he could get a big lead over his main rival and could be hard to peg back.
The other four runners all need to take another step forward and with that in mind, Piemans Tom looks the most solid option
7:38 Romford: Tiffield Blueboy (Trap Four)
Very hard to oppose Tiffield Blueboy here. The son of Ballymac Vic is ultra-consistent and was an emphatic five length winner at Romford in March before the lockdown.
He ran a nice trial at the track in June, beating a smart dog in Antigua Rum in an excellent time. With that in mind he makes plenty of appeal and crucially he also has winning form from this trap. His chief rival looks set to be Dower Product who was a good second in A1 company at Romford last week.
However, he needs to improve again to deny our selection who looks one of the best bets of the evening.
8:17 Romford: Newinn Jacko (Trap Six)
A return to action from one of the stars of the evening. Ernie Gaskin’s Newinn Jacko landed the Puppy Derby at Monmore in the days before lockdown in Britain and seeks further riches in this event. The son of Laughil Duke shaped nicely in a trial in a time of 23.95 and he should have learned plenty about the track given that trial.
He is a dog firmly on the upgrade and he can make his class tell in this event. Trap six is a slight concern due to this dog being a middle runner but he usually shows good early and can hopefully avoid any interference here.
His main market rivals is Gentle Jet who has won his last two races at Romford, the latter coming in a very quick time of 23.85s. However, he takes on a proven Open Race performer and looks booked for the placings here.
8:38 Romford: Our Lucky Fool (Trap Three)
Our Lucky Fool could not have been more impressive when dotting up at Romford on his latest start. He broke well on that occasion and never looked in any danger.
He was a leading fancy for the Stayers Trophy at Nottingham in March and has contested a host of decent races during his career.
This looks a perfect race and the draw in trap three also looks sure to suit. Itsur Mate in trap six is the clear danger. He has plenty of smart form in his back catalogue and was an easy winner on his latest start in a decent time. However, he can sometimes disappoint in his races, as proven by his efforts on the 16 and 22 June where he can just flatter to deceive.
With that in mind, Our Lucky Fool looks more solid option.
9:12 Romford: Roxholme Socks (Trap Four)
A talented stayer who looks to be progressing all the time for Hayley Keightley. She was denied by a neck at Romford in February when a very unlucky loser, but has looked good in her trials of late.
Given her progressive nature and the fact that she remains relatively unexposed, she looks the one to side with.
Race of the evening – 8:54: Romford
This looks a race to simply sit back and enjoy with this field looking very exciting. This contest sees a rematch between the Coronation Cup first and second Antigua Rum and Sparta Master, whilst the 2019 Coronation Cup hero Desperado Dan is also in there.
In December 2020 we sadly 
Hi Jack, is it just Romford you tip for or is there other tracks you tip on? regards deggsfc