The Laurels final greyhound race takes place this evening, with Eden Star looking the pick to land the spoils at Belle Vue
Laurels final 21:45
T1 Tudor Prince
Unbeaten in this event and beaten just once in five races at Belle Vue (when falling in last year's Manchester Puppy Cup final). Runner-up in All England Cup and Steel City Cup this season and not out of the first two in 11 of his last 12 races, Only realistic danger to Eden Star.
T2 Onyougojoe
Probably reserves his best form for Nottingham where he has gained three of his last four victories (all in his last eight starts). Big price outsider looks up against it.
T3 Eden Star
Two impressive victories in heats and semi-final and has won his last four starts by a combined total in excess of 37 lengths! Winner of eight of his ten UK starts (runner-up in his other two races) including Puppy Derby and Romford Puppy Cup. Within 10 spots of the track-record in the semi-final and very hard to oppose.
T4 Longwood Fantasy
Runner-up to Taylors Sky in Monmore Gold Cup and fifth in recent All England Cup (knocked over at first bend). Has run with credit in this event, winning first round heat and is arguably over-priced.
T5 Whitefort Mac
Won Unraced final at Enniscorthy in Ireland in June, and is probably still improving after just five races here. Won a weak semi-final in good style but this is much tougher.
T6 Oneco Black
Fourth in Monmore Summer 'Dogs' final and has returned from a short layoff in good form (close to sprint track record here last month). Can boast a three from five record over CD and has outside claims of making the forecast.
Verdict
Barry Draper's Eden Star looks a dog set to go right to the top following victories in two of the most significant puppy competitions at Wimbledon and Romford. His transition into all-aged company could hardly have been any smoother and for many it will be a case of how far, having given the track-record a shaking in the semi-final. Tudor Prince is a high class dog himself and should ensure it's not all one-way traffic. He looks the obvious forecast link, while Oneco Black's excellent local record makes him best of the rest.
19:40 Puppies.
Killieford Blaze's two excellent CD trials should be enough to give him the edge over Puppy Cup finalist Droopys Lorenzo who along with Benkaat Blue (ex Mountjoy Falcon) has not had a previous look round.
20:00 Stayers
A tricky race with many of these struggling to get their heads in front and it may be an opportunity for Prestige third Saveourstow Lass to bounce straight back on her first start since August. Farley Zach has some reasonable competiton form but lacks a run here.
20:15 Hurdles
Irish Grand National winner Olivers Twist has returned from a layoff in excellent form and may be the safest option despite lacking local experience. Romeo In Miami has run reasonably well here before and is in good form after winning the Triumph Hurdle last week.
20:35 Bitches
A red-hot affair. Kinda Close has returned from season in excellent form at Romford, but with so much local form on show she might be worth opposing. Moving Marge could be well drawn but with Daughter Of Peg also likely to go up fast, it could pay to side with wider drawn Droopys Aliyah
20:50 Marathon
Leger runner-up Capoley Ash, who has a touch of class about him, is taken to frank recent Newcastle form with a resurgent Ayamzagirl who won a similar contest at Henlow on Sky a fortnight ago.
21:10 590m
Another intriguing affair but gutsy Angel Of The North winner Pond Shefelia is not one to oppose (four wins in her last five starts) after a very fast trial over CD. Droopys Luisao, behind her in that spin, has reached two major stayers' finals this year, and has an excellent record over four bends here. Irish Leger finalist Judicial Academy adds to the intrigue after winning four from four at Nottingham.
21:25 470m
Despite a strong class field it's hard not to side with Blonde Snapper after his superb run behind Derby winner Taylors Sky in the Henlow version last time even if he does lack a previous run here. Mountjoy Rock has enjoyed a tremendous season and has a high strike rate, but has been beaten twice recently at short odds.
Selections: (In order)
Eden Star 21:45
Blonde Snapper 21:25
Capoley Ash 20:50
Pond Shefelia 21:10
Droopys Aliyah 20:35
