Congratulations are in order to Munster Lady (5-2), Stewart Albert (4-1) and Black Mix (9-4) who landed a hat-trick of wins for column followers.

It was particularly pleasing to see Munster Lady landing the victory after my feature on her last week in which I had highlighted her recent run of seven runner-up finishes and she certainly received her just rewards on this occasion.

The highlight on this Thursday afternoon’s card will be the final of the SIS 500 Sweepstake Final. Sponsored by Satellite Information Services who transmit live coverage of races throughout Europe, the race will carry a winner’s prize of £500.

In our case, the event is for dogs racing over 380 metres in grade A7. The semi-finals were run last Saturday morning and as I managed to pick the winner of the previous SIS 500 race staged here last March, I will try and repeat the feat again.

It is as usual a case of how you expect the race to be run and the impact that the trap draw may have on events. While a couple of the finalists did not have their preferred traps last weekend, the final trap allocation will not I think inconvenience any of the six dogs.

Perhaps the only allowance must be made for Thirty By Thirty who from trap two may well head right to the middle of the track which would give Thirsty Rooney in trap one plenty of room on the inside rail.

The latter is a strong dog if managing to turn in front. Youngster Spongeanomic from trap three will be bidding to win his first career race at the 10th attempt and may find his older opponents too strong. However, he is an improving type but would need luck to win.

Trap four is occupied by Golden Oak who is hit-and-miss when the traps go up. Having said that, I do not think that, even with a clear run, that she has the clock time required to win here. Carden Mary and Mullrook Charley run from traps five and six respectively and whichever of the pair lead around the first bend, may well go on to play a major role in the outcome if showing their best form.

My conclusion is that the winner will come from trap one or two.

I will be shouting on Thirty By Thirty. The only dog to have won the track’s Dog Of The Month Award three times, he has the speed and experience and is deserving of a big win such as this having had 136 races at Crayford. This could be a big pay day for a dog that has given so much to the track.