Williamhill.com Greyhound Derby first round
Heat Seven
Bandicoot Tipoki will go off red-hot favourite for this heat and although his qualification is assured as long as he completes the race, he may be an odds-on shot that could be taken on. Both HONEY TRAMPAS and Zaheer have times in the book that suggest this heat is far from a foregone conclusion. Tipoki gets the trip perfectly but is not the fastest of starters and may find trouble sandwiched between pace either side of him from the traps. This could pave the way for the selection to clear the trouble from his wide draw and develop a lead that Tipoki can’t peg back.
Bettor.com prediction – 6 + 3 + 2
Heat Eight
Charlie Lister runs two hopefuls in this heat, Yahoo Jamie and Troys Expert, both should qualify without too many problems, but value may rest with the chances of MONEYGALL OBAMA. The selection’s Blue Ribbon campaign was marred by being badly bumped in the semi-final – but before that his performances had suggested a place in the final could have been in his grasp. He has a plum draw in trap two for this race and his trial (28.57secs) was one of the fastest in this year’s competition.
Bettor.com prediction – 2 + 5 + 6
Heat Nine
In a heat lacking in quality it may prove wise to side with the chances of an outsider in search of the value. BOYS OF SUMMER can make the most of the vacant trap five inside of him to assert some momentum at the first bend. Although Droopys Joe has run quicker times in the book than the selection, this will be his first spin round Plough Lane and he may struggle to adapt.
Bettor.com prediction – 6 + 4
Heat 10
The most anticipated heat of the night sees ante-post favourite Eye Onthe Storm start up his charge towards Derby glory, but he may not get things his own way from a tricky draw in trap five. Trainer Mark Wallis has already stated his reservations about the wide draw and although his qualification to the next round should not be in doubt, value in the win market lies elsewhere. With this race providing plenty of pace, grabbing the rails may prove crucial in dominating from the front – BANFIELD ROCKY has been given the trap one draw and can stay clear of the trouble to assert from the front.
Bettor.com prediction – 1 + 5 + 2
Heat 11
The final heat of the night is the slowest in terms of track times, with none of the six breaking the 29-second barrier in the trial races. WESTMEAD CARL gets the tentative vote as he has a profile to suggest he should have the ability to get his head in front but wouldn’t represent any sort of value as a short priced favourite, Deanridge Ammo and the Pat Rosney trained Hondo Spartan may provide the biggest danger to the selection.
Bettor.com prediction – 3 + 2 + 1
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