JONATHAN HOBBS: Our top greyhounds tipster Jonathan Hobbs looks ahead to the £10,000-to-the-winner Coral Winter Derby Final at Hove.
A BUSY day for open-race fans continues tonight with the £10,000-to-the-winner Coral Winter Derby Final – and a real bonus for RPGTV viewers given Hove shares the stage with Crayford this week on the channel.
It’s the second running of the Winter Derby and Liz and Rab McNair eye a superb double following King Turbo’s victory 12 months ago given they send out favourite King Sheeran, who himself has sights on a big-race Hove double after winning the Olympic.
King Sheeran, the British Bred Greyhound of the Year, is running as well as ever and his bend running is superb. He’s the most likely winner, but might there be some value in snapping up the big prices about Volcanic Reef?
Like Liz McNair, who has brothers King Sheeran and King Lennon in the decider, Heather Dimmock is doubly handed given Volcanic Reef and Make No Apologie. The latter is the youngest runner in the race and has been brilliant thus far in this event.
Hove
7.33 The open-race action kicks off with a 515m event where the likes of Clairekeith Zane and Ravens Burger will have their supporters given form in decent contests. However this could be a test and Angie Kibble’s Zaha lacks nothing in stamina.
Play: Zaha
8.06 A veteran’s contest sees a host of old favourites do battle including impressive Monday winner at Nottingham Droopys Aussie. However, Stuart Maplesden’s well-drawn Waste House Eco has trialled back well and has local knowledge in abundance.
Play: Waste House Eco
8.38 Something of a consolation final for the Winter Derby. Drahbeg Dash is tempting on his fast-finishing effort in last week’s semis, although catching Matt Dartnall’s Killeacle Gus will not be easy. He looks a surefire leader and posted a rapidfire 29.06sec in the heats.
Play: Killeacle Gus
9.08 Ante-post supporters of King Sheeran are sitting pretty heading into tonight’s Coral Winter Derby Final with Liz McNair’s runner impressive thus far. He can do it both ways at Hove and relishes the gallop – he takes some holding if turning handy enough. That said the likes of Sidaz Jet, Volcanic Reef and Make No Apologie are all potential leaders. King Lennon and Antigua Romeo are both powerful sorts and regular winners – but a midfield draw for Volcanic Reef suits this experienced sort. He reserves his best for Hove and could be tough to reel in if able to dictate matters. A small each-way play could be the call.
Play: Volcanic Reef
Good luck everyone.
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