I only listened to the Sale Cup heat tonight. Unfortunately, for the Salegreys Iscool guys, the bonny bitch did not appear able to perform any better than last week. She led but could not hold on. Of course I don't know why but it would appear that she is not going as well as she can go. For example, in June she ran 37.42 to win at Sale and also won over the distance at Sandown in 42.40 (I assume it was not a handicap race). She is clearly better than a 38.0 bitch at Sale. Of the heat winners, Joop Muse 37.80, Burrawonga Brett 37.71, Vintage Octane 37.38 and Ashes Platinum 37.70, Vintage Octane appeared to be before tonight's meeting and as it turns out, after the meeting, to be the one with the natural ability to win this race. He, however, needs to stay out of bother which of course goes for any dog but in his case, I think he can find a bit. I in fact, missed listening to Ashes Platinum win. I don't know where Mantra Lad is, I thought he would have been in this race and of course Fallen Zorro and Chinatown Lad. Shane Whitney must be giving them a brief let up or has them set for something else. Another one is Sky Hazzard but I can only assume that he is retired in that we have not seen him for quite a while. He beat Bo Frazier easily at Sale some months ago in 37.18 and did run 2nd in last year's Final to Miss Brook. At the time of writing I am not aware of the box draw but it will have been drawn at tonight's meeting. Depending on the draw, Vintage Octane does seem to be the one to beat. We know he is a pretty fair dog over the 500s but he does also seem to be pretty strong at the end of 650. The respective runners up were: Hall's on Fire 1.75 to 37.88, Purple Range 0.50 to 37.71, Uno Jacob 5.75 to 37.38 and Run Like Ell 1.50 to 37.70.