English Greyhound Derby remains wide open
In the beginning 217 dogs lined up, but now only 48 remain.
“Ohhh, we’re halfway there, oh oh, living on a prayer!” Excuse my Bon Joviness, but my excitement is growing by the round in this year’s williamhill.com English Greyhound Derby, and what better way to celebrate than to sing along to one of America’s finest.
With the shock exit of the two market leaders, Fear Zafonic and Eye Onthe Storm, the competition has opened up to give an opportunity for a progressive newcomer to write itself into greyhound folklore, and there are plenty in with chances.
If you have backed Bandicoot Tipoki at the ante-post price of 33-1, your money has never looked in danger – the shrewd punters out there could in fact lay the bet off for a considerable profit now Tipoki has been shortened into 6-1 favourite, but with Charlie Lister’s charge going so well his passage to the final should be pretty clear. Hold your fire for a couple more rounds.
Any athlete, human or canine, thrives on confidence and Toomaline Jack’s must be sky-high at the moment. He has progressed through the early rounds without having to hit top gear yet, and you expect there is more to come from the Irish raider - he’s currently the second favourite at 7-1.
Seamus Graham’s chances of securing a second Derby triumph have taken a turn in the right direction, as Mesedo Blue has taken to Wimbledon very well. He failed to impress in the opening heat but ran a storming 28.49secs in the second round, and with a high-profile kennel behind him, the bookmakers have cut him in from 40’s to 10-1.
Bettor.com Scottish Derby winner Nambisco is still in with a chance of securing a £1m payout from bettor.com for landing the triple crown (English, Scottish and Irish Derby treble). He flew through his first heat but could only manage second behind Forest Boss last time out; he will need to improve if he’s serious about making trainer Carly Philpott the richest person in greyhound racing.
Bettor.com’s selection Ten Large Down is also progressing nicely race-by-race, and has won his two heats by an aggregate of seven lengths. The 33-1 has been scrapped and is best priced 16-1 with most firms. He has however been drawn in trap six in the third round and could be in danger if he fails to deliver from the wide draw, but three wins from four with the striped jacket fills me with confidence that a quarter-final spot awaits.
Faypoint Man, 25-1, looks as though he has the credentials to go all the way and the price about him still represents good value which looks sure to shorten up over the next two weeks. He was sent off third favourite in the Irish Derby final and finished a disappointing fifth, but that competition has no doubt stood him in good stead as the big-race experience will be crucial as the competition progresses.
It is a shame that Moveit Jamie has been given such a tough draw in the third round as the way he has moved has been encouraging, if he can sneak through the third round, the 100-1 will surely evaporate.
But the one at longer odds that may prove interesting to follow is Mark Wallis’ runner Adageo, who the champion trainer rates as his best chance left in this year’s competition - and when Wallis speaks the punter usually listens. Adageo came through the toughest heat of the night of Saturday and has an easier third round draw which should mean the quarter-finals are well within his grasp.
Although Wallis has endured a nightmare first two weeks in the Derby, in the words of a famous rock band who will remain nameless, it could prove profitable “to keep the faith”.
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