There is no doubt we have been blessed with some brilliant competition winning greyhounds over the last couple of decades. These number in excess of 60 odd Category 1 winners and many more stars at various tracks around the country but there are only a few who hold that iconic legendary status. Star Of Dromin, Adageo Bob, Kinda Ready, Blonde Snapper, Eye Onthe Storm, Domino Storm, Billys Bullet and Cornamaddy Jumbo spring to mind and in my opinion had that status. At Henlow last night I believe we saw the end of two such dogs in the shape of Clondoty Alex and Calco Flyer whose distinguished careers finished in an incredible buckle between the two in the final of the RPGTV Seniors Cup with Calco Flyer just prevailing over a brave Clondoty Alex.

 

It was a fitting way to go out and both looked in pristine condition for their final swansong. Certainly the draw in trap 2 favoured Calco Flyer with Clondoty Alex drawn in the coffin box and there were also four other very talented veterans in opposition so it was never going to be a walk in the park and I admit to a touch of nerves as the hare was set in motion. There was no need to worry as both came out the traps well and were a length or so clear at the first bend with Calco Flyer crucially seizing the rails position. Try as he might Alex couldn't get passed Flyer and at the line was a length down in a respectable 27.71. Of course on one hand I was delighted for the Calco Syndicate whose pride and joy at 5 years and one month old took the title but equally I felt a touch sorry for connections of Clondoty Alex that he didn't go out with a victory but we are proud of not only the way he ran but the way he has over achieved throughout his magnificent career.

 

Both now have loving homes to go to in the next couple of weeks and will be sorely missed by myself and our staff, the kennels won't seem the same without them and like so many before they will be so difficult if not impossible to replace. There also may be some straws available for both later in the year so who knows the story might not be over for Flyer and Alex. To be honest it will take me a few hours to write up on all their achievements on the track over the last three years or so so I will do that later in the week when I have a bit more time and post it up asap.

 

We now enter the last three months of the year and no doubt we need a big finish from our open race team if we are to hold on to our Trainer of the Year title, with at least 10 Category 1 events on the horizon it's essential we do well and get a good run of results. Seamus Cahill has some great chances at Central Park tomorrow and our 100 odd point lead could be severely dented after the Kent Derby and Grand National finals and fair play to Seamus and his team they are having a year to remember. The good news for us is while we lose the services of two of our big point scorers in Alex and Flyer we have our Derby consolation winner Bruisers Bullet on the way back. Last week's 15.31 trial at Towcester was excellent and tomorrow night he will have another sprint to build his fitness up and will be laid out for the Eclipse and then hopefully for the 5k shootout at Towcester in late November. We also have our prolific Roswell Romanov on the way back, his damaged dew claw sustained just before the Champion Stakes was removed and he will predominantly be aimed at all the 575m races at Romford before the Essex Vase late next month. That competition could be huge for us and we have a great record in the event. The William Hill St Leger is a little under three weeks away and we are hoping to send a decent sized team to Perry Barr headed by Rubys Rascal who should relish the 710m gallop.

 

It's certainly set for an interesting three months as things hot up on and off the track. The rumours and speculation about not only the ongoing media rights war but also the future of Towcester is rife. As always there seems to be a certain segment of people who would revel in seeing the demise of our showpiece racecourse and they take great pleasure in spreading rumours of its imminent closure. Yes they still have a long way to go to make it a viable proposition for the Hesketh family but talk of any possible closure is a bit premature to say the least, a healthy racing strength and decent crowds as well as some huge meetings planned for next year doesn't sound like a track in trouble.