Unbeaten greyhound Nangar Thunder looks a strong chance to continue his impressive progress at Grafton tonight.
The DAVE Irwin-trained sprinter jumps from box seven in the mixed grade Barry Walters Memorial 0-1 Wins Final (race seven, 407m) aiming for a third win in three career starts.
Nangar Thunder scorched to an 11-and-three-quarter length victory in 22.79 on debut on January 18 before saluting again with a commanding six length 22.89 triumph last week.
He has shown a devastating turn of speed in both his races so far and should be able to handle box seven tonight.
Nangar Thunder’s toughest opposition should come from Rodman (box five) and Gil Marchi (box six), who are both from the strong Northern Rivers kennel of Andrew Monaghan.
Gil Marchi has scored one win and two minor placings from his five starts so far, including a runner-up finish on his first start at this track and distance last week.
Kennel spokesperson Sarah Monaghan rates Gil Marchi as her kennel’s best chance of success tonight, but conceded Nangar Thunder would take some stopping.
“Gil Marchi’s run last week was excellent, considering he had to come from behind,” she said.
“Unfortunately both he and Rodman are badly boxed as Rodman does tend to step right (and) all the pace is on the inside.
“I think Gil Marchi is a decent each-way for the placing, but if Nangar Thunder jumps well then it’s his race.”
The Monaghans also have Silent Riddle returning from more than two months out in the night’s third race over the 407m.
He scored three consecutive placings at Grafton before his break and looks capable of saluting in this.
“He is not a good kennel dog, so the shorter the time he is in there, the better,” Sarah Monaghan said.
“He’s right in the race but not showing the early pace he was in his last lead-up. He will need luck to the first turn but the fact that it’s an early race at least helps his chances.”
Kennelmate Irma Adeline (box four) may have better luck in race eight over the 480m.
She has not won in four starts but has decent early toe and placed at Grafton from the same box back in November.
With most of the field struggling for top form, she looks the top pick.
In other Grafton Monday action, Pretty Socks was an impressive last start winner and looks capable of saluting again in race five (305m).
The well-bred daughter of El Grand Senor and Erin Norris (box three) clocked a super 17.29 success returning from a month away last week and looks the top pick.
Magic Of Bonus (box one) is racing solidly with two wins in her last three starts and looks the best in race six (407m).
For Grafton Monday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
