Romford Coronation Cup semi-finals tips

The crunch third round of a brilliant 2024 Star Sports/TRC English Greyhound Derby takes place at Towcester on Saturday. We're at the last-48 stage and racegoers can come away from the track on Saturday knowing they've seen the Derby champion after the split first and second round nights.

We'll take a look at the Towcester heats tomorrow, but first it's the semi-finals of the Coral Coronation Cup at Romford on Friday.

The 575m competition is one of three major six-bend competitions at the Essex track during the year along with the Essex Vase and Champion Stakes - and time and again these events throw up Romford specialists who return on a regular basis to land the spoils and establish a following.

There are too many to mention, but I'll throw some names out there - Romford crowd and punter favourites all of them.

In no particular order - and no doubt missing out many - I'll give you Solid Money and Eye Onthe Veto and raise you with Millwards Master, Desperado Dan, Warzone Tom, Fivestar Clipper, Airport Captain, Reel Trickyone, Adageo Bob and Hollow Man. Fantastic greyhounds all of them, who loved Romford.

Time will tell whether this year's Coronation Cup batch can, in time, be added to that list but there is definitely the ability and potential - Mark Wallis's New Destiny being the closest to joining that list if consistently hitting her stride early, as was the case so brilliantly in last week's heats at the Essex venue.

So to the three Coral Coronation Cup semi-finals:-

First semi (20.19):  A half-sister of in-form kennelmate Coonough Crow, Mark Wallis's New Destiny could be ready to underline her undoubted class from now on. She was exceptional in the heats off the back of a fast start. However, her opponents will be ready to pounce if she falters. Nathan Hunt's pair of Untold Paanga and Allowdale Cazoo both ran well from off the pace last week - but it's Baywatch Bullet who appeals for the forecast. Belinda Green's bitch starts and stays well and can secure her place in the final.

Sel: New Destiny

Second semi (20.36): A five-runner heat sees trap two vacant here which helps Seamus Cahill's Swift Radiantly in her repeat bid after a fully deserved 10-1 victory in the heats. The Hove bitch got first run then and space next door aids her cause. However, Cooladerry Dust did a lot of running in behind Swift Radiantly seven days ago and, given a cleaner exit from a wider draw than he's been used to, could soon be on the premises and Nathan Hunt's dog might then turn the screw. Note a fast pre-event 34.74sec trial.

Sel: Cooladerry Dust

Third semi (20.54): The race to the bend looks crucial here in this third semi-final. Better is expected from Paul Young's Miami Bullet who made the final of the KAB Maiden Derby at Towcester before stepping up in trip to 575m at Romford, via Sheffield. A smart winner of his maiden at Romford, he deserves huge respect. However, Mark Wallis's Minnie Bullet is back to her best now and might always be pressing home the advantage if bossing matters inside and, even if led up, she will battle hard behind. Wallis has four runners here and Ballymac Diana and Fabulous Sonique will both try to go off the front.

Sel: Minnie Bullet