JONATHAN HOBBS: So we’re there. It’s the Star Sports & Arc Greyhound Derby Final at Nottingham tonight, the most historic greyhound race in the world with a history dating back to the 1920s. But who will win the 2020 running?
So we’re there. It’s the Star Sports & Arc Greyhound Derby Final at Nottingham tonight, the most historic greyhound race in the world with a history dating back to the 1920s. But who will win the 2020 running?
It’s impossible to answer with any conviction given such a widespread amount of chances – indeed it’s easy to make a case for all six.
Let’s have a look at tonight’s card with my recommended bets on BETDAQ Betting Exchange.
Nottingham
6.26: Withdrawn last week, Tenpin is back to strike for David Mullins – hopefully! The Romford Puppy Cup trialled well at Notts and should be close enough to be first to challenge likely leader Atarah King as the race unfolds.
Play: Tenpin
Alternative: Atarah King
6.41: A fantastic sprint race where there are plenty of chances. Shrewd Call has been the sprinter of the year thus far, but needs to do things right from the boxes in this company. Loggies Lito trialled fast and caught the eye behind the white jacket at Yarmouth and could reverse the form on what might be a good night for Simon Harms.
Play: Loggies Lito
6.59: The first of the finals – the RPGTV Puppy Trophy – where all-the-way heat winner One For Gold will be popular given a vacant trap inside after the withdrawal of Antigua Bruiser. However, strong Final Xafonic caught the eye in behind last week and could break his duck for the Kim Billingham camp.
Play: Final Xafonic
7.16: A decent bitches’ contest now with some likely Oaks contenders. Galloping Moon would be a player if conditions came up testing, although Aayamza Lexie trialled well here and impressed at Crayford recently. The draw inside could work the oracle for Mark Wallis’s runner.
Play: Aayamza Lexie
7.34: A British-bred final staged in memory of British breeding legend Natalie Savva – and a classy field has been assembled after last week’s heats. Produce third Boca Junior needs to trap well inside but has proved himself a smart front runner and won well in the heats. The draw helps Kevin Hutton’s charge here.
Play: Boca Junior
7.51: A 730m contest now where the likes of Sheldan and Avastorm would be nailed-on at best, but both need to improve for recent efforts – although can! For that reason, go with the Simon Harms-trained Droopys Bird. She proved a comfortable winner of the recent Kent St Leger at Crayford.
Play: Droopys Bird
8.06: A cracking veterans’ contest now. It’s the shorter run to the bend given a 480m distance, so a quick exit is required and the early pace of Newcastle’s Bramble Reggie could steal a march for Steve Anderson, although Lenson Blinder is a class act who looked unlucky last week.
Play: Bramble Reggie
8.21: Comparisons with Ballyregan Bob are premature, of course, but Roxholme Kristof looks the real deal and unbeatable over six bends judged on his runaway heat win. A clear run is always needed, but here’s the next star of the track – with luck. Hayley Keightley’s dog looks different class.
Play: Roxholme Kristof
8.36: Pat Buckley’s Irish raider Knocknaboul Syd is the most likely winner given his Derby performances. He boasts fantastic early pace and should get first run on most, although a smash break from Hopes Bullet makes him a player. Upton Legend caught the eye last week over six bends.
Play: Knocknaboul Syd
Alternative: Upton Legend
8.52: The Derby Plate final now. Doolin Duke impressed in the Derby first round and then again in the Plate heats last week. A repeat does the trick, although there’s still a run to come from Faughan Rebel, who could solo behind the orange jacket early doors and run well for Richard Yeates at a price.
Play: Faughan Rebel e-w
9.11: It’s the Star Sports & Arc Greyhound Derby Final now, the second time Nottingham has staged the famous race. The Irish dominated last year with a 1-2-3, although the presence of unbeaten Southwood Jet (Richard Rees) means the visitors will not have things their own way. Can he clear Deerjet Sydney (Pat Buckley), however? The Irish star can ping-start and heads inwards. Wolfe’s (Graham Holland) all-round speed makes him a player, although a fast start is required for him to clear kennelmate Ballydoyle Valor. I fully expect Smurfs Machine (Seamus Cahill) to ping-start outside and he might be the one to catch, although coming home a decent lead will be required. Which means Coolavanny Chick gets the vote on value grounds. The Irish bitch will surely solo outside, keeps wide and out of trouble, and could be best placed off the second bend to strike for glory for owner-trainer Noel Hehir. They say bitches don’t win Derbys, but five have and a sixth is definitely possible in a wide-open Classic final. May the best greyhound on the day win.
Play: Coolavanny Chick
9.26: The traditional finale is the Dorando Marathon and, with ifs and buts aplenty, a narrow vote goes the way of Tom Levers’ Beechgrove Bell to keep pulling on a lead inside. The Crayford bitch is a resolute performer, but with Cesarewitch winner Aayzamza Royale, defending champ Micks Little Gem and the outstanding Irish bitch Riverside Honey against her, victory will not be handed on a plate – to any of them!
Play: Beechgrove Bell
Good luck all.
@Hobbsy67
Did you know that as well as checking the realtime prices on BETDAQ below – you can also log into your account and place your bets directly into BETDAQ from BETDAQ TIPS.
