GREYHOUND DERBY PREVIEW: The English Greyhound Derby moves onto the second round with the first eight heats on Friday. Our expert BARRY CAUL previews each one and remember all heats will be streamed LIVE on the BETDAQ website.
🟪 Heat 1
Swords Rex has now won eight of his last nine starts around here and once again turned in a professional performance when making all in last weeks opening round. Some people may have been slightly disappointed with the run on the clock but its easy to forget this was only his second race since last December and he will surely step forward again from that. He does have a tricky draw out in five, but he won last year’s semifinal from this trap and will be looking to clear his rivals early. Scaglietti looks the main danger, I thought he ran quite well in defeat last time out and looks to have a good draw to work from on Friday. Theres is not much early pace on either side and this looks a good opportunity for Scaglietti to race prominent. At the prices I would like to be with Scaglietti.
🟪 Heat 2
Newinn Syd was a shade disappointing for me last week after flashing from boxes and racing clear into the second bend. In running punters would have had Mark Wallis’s charge pretty short at that stage of the race before Jaytee Etienne powered past at the third bend. Syd has drawn a good box in one of the weaker heats on the night and will no doubt be short in the betting, but I couldn’t have him. Fair Joe may be the one at a price here. He didn’t come away as well as he can last week and with that experience under his belt, he may just be a little sharper at the start. McNeill on his inside will not pose any problems early and Fair Joe could make them all go if leading Wrighty and Newinn Syd around the opening turn.
🟪 Heat 3
Impossible to look past King Memphis in this heat. He was simply sensational yet again last weekend when equaling the track record. He was quickly away before beating the evergreen Ballymac Finn by six lengths. He does face some early paced rivals in this heat with less than a length separating the inside four runners on last week’s sectionals, but he should have to much pace and power for his rivals. Druids All Go could be one for the forecast. Memphis is a highly likely winner, but he could go off a ridiculously short price and I will be happy to take a watching brief in this.
🟪 Heat 4
It was great to see last years champion Gaytime Nemo get back to winning ways in round one where he showed a good attitude to rally and beat Bluejig Baron. That was Nemo’s first win since winning the event last year and it should do his confidence the world of good. Its imperative he leads up Bockos Thunder and Faypoint Susie in the early yards and if he can do so he will prove difficult to beat. It is a strong heat with the afore mentioned duo well capable of big runs. Susie has won her last three here and Bockos Thunder is an inexperienced greyhound with a bright future. Ballymac Senan impressed last week and must be feared. King Combs beat a good field last week and is perfectly drawn as the sole wide seed. It is a high-quality heat and all six have chances, but I will just side with Gaytime Nemo.
🟪 Heat 5
The battle for early supremacy between Cooliogold and Road Exile will be key in determining the outcome of heat five. Both greyhounds are best when able to dictate and much will depend on the break. Despite both being the same age, Road Exile has that little bit more scope for improvement and I do think with a level break he may have too much early for Cooliogold. The lightly raced Blake Delight ran on well from off the pace to qualify behind King Memphis and Ballymac Finn, he’s certainly improving and going the right way and should have room to operate early. Rapido Bob is much better than what he showed last week and Bluejig Baron ran well behind Gaytime Nemo last time out. I can see Road Exile making all here with Blake Delight at a big price to follow him home.
🟪 Heat 6
King Capaldi was a shade unlucky last week; he was held up at crucial stages in the race by Cooliogold when trying to get to the fence. Capaldi will have to much early for Coppice Trophy this time around and looks a likely leader. De Lahdedah emerged an impressive winner last week, he forced his way through at the opening bend and went on to score in style. I don’t think he can match Capaldi early on but if he can turn a close second into the far side he will look to run him down late. Churchtown Syd did will to qualify last time behind De Lahdedah, Syd completely missed the break and can go up much better. Droopys Vivacity will be finishing well but may find himself too far adrift of some classy rivals at halfway. King Capaldi will be my choice; I can see him getting to the front early and there is a possibility of some trouble in behind.
🟪 Heat 7
Clonbrien Treaty turned in an excellent display when making all in his opening round assignment. Fast away from the outside box Treaty emerged a comfortable winner over El Tornillo. It may have been a shade disappointing on the clock but visually it looked very impressive. Despite being the only wide seed in this I think the make up could prove a little tricky. Kilara Roberto in five will go up strongly as too will Superfast Gordon in four-Gordon should come on a great deal for last week’s outing. Jaytee Etienne was the fastest of these on the clock in the opening round and I seem to say this every time he runs but he can go to the corner much quicker than he has been doing recently. There is a lack of early pace on the inside here and Etienne has a golden chance to lead up the inside. This greyhound has a massive run in him and someday he will take a flier from traps, hopefully it will be this Friday.
🟪 Heat 8
The Other Kobe is unbeaten since joining Graham Holland and has a similar profile to Swords Rex. Both dogs have won twice from two starts this year, but both have gone back slightly on the clock. Like Rex, this will be Kobes third start since winning the Irish Derby last September and he can surely only come forward. He has a good draw in two and look the one to beat. I have been a long-time fan of Hawkfield Blue and he got back to something like his best when making all last week. He rates a danger to Kobe and hopefully he can qualify. Glengar Martha posted the fastest sectional of the first round when clocking 3.90 and is an obvious danger if she can repeat that. Its hard to see her doing that again but she should qualify.
Fridays Best Bets
Heat 1 Scaglietti
Heat 6 King Capaldi
Heat 7 Jaytee Etienne
Good luck
BARRY.
