English Greyhound Derby first round previews - Saturday heats 24-29
Heat 24
In a heat that lacks quality CABRA EXCLUSIVE has the sufficient natural ability to win the opening race of the night. Lightly raced and open to bags of improvement the trap four dog can sit off the pace early and dominate down the back straight. Boolavouge, who has plenty of miles on the clock, can make use of the empty trap one to show enough experience to qualify for the next round.
Bettor.com prediction – 4 + 2
Heat 25
SLICK SAPPORO, the Irish raider, has a profile to suggest that he has the scope for improvement. The selection beat Contrador by four lengths at Hall Green last month, and that form has worked out well as Contrador went on to win his next two races. He hasn’t pulled up any trees during his trial races but a big run may be just around the corner. Gilbeyhall Jake can make the most of his plum draw in trap six to take second place.
Bettor.com prediction – 1 + 6 + 3
Heat 26
WESTMEAD OSPREY has long been considered in the highest regard by trainer Nick Savva, who has ample chance this year to pick up the crown. The selection is blessed with bags of early pace and usually if he leads at the first bend he is hard to catch, while his trial of 28.54secs is also impressive. Anhid Bertie comes here in good from, unbeaten in three. Beaming Dilemma should also have the speed to qualify.
Bettor.com prediction – 4 + 5 + 2
Heat 27
DELWOOD ROBBY has been in devastating form at Henlow so far this season, winning 11 of his 14 races, and took to Wimbledon very well on his trial, clocking 28.68secs. He looks as though he will be difficult to peg back in this heat. Kinda Easy can go well for champion trainer Mark Wallis from a wide draw and expect Tyrur Bucko to be staying on late also to qualify.
Bettor.com prediction – 3 + 6 + 2
Heat 28
CRAIGHALL HORSE can rediscover the form that got him to the Coral TV final in February, although he paid the price for a slow start in the final to finish fourth. In his qualifying he was unbeaten and big things were hoped for John Reynolds charge. He ran a cracking trial run of 28.76 and can lead up from his wide draw in this heat. Romeo Reason should go toe-to-toe with the selection around the first two bends and qualify in second.
Bettor.com prediction – 6 + 3 + 4
Heat 29
TULLYMURRY ACT (nap) for trainer Pat Buckley, the all-the-way winner in the Irish Puppy final last year, hasn’t run out of trap two many times before. He is a very reliable trapper though, and as long as he comes away in his trademark fashion there should be no problems. With a little bit of luck along the way the selection may go a long way in this year’s competition. Up Toome and Jogaduce Ace get the tentative nod for the other two qualification spots.
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