Williamhill.com English Greyhound Derby semi-final preview
It’s every punters dream to land a Derby winner early on in the ante-post market, but with a total of 217 entries in this year’s Derby, it would be foolish to have backed all your hard-earned cash on just a gut shot.
For those of you who did manage to take the sensible route of maintaining some patience, now is the stage where you can look for the value odds, as we approach the semi-finals of the prestigious williamhill.com English Derby this Saturday.
First semi-final
T1 - Lyreen Mover (9-4 Joint favourite)
The Hungarian raider has managed to step onto British track with no flaws, managing to finish in first place throughout the competition across Wimbledon’s 480m.
Mover has once again been gifted with an inside-rail draw for this Saturday and has one of the best breaks and exceptional pace, I can’t see him not qualifying through to the finals.
T2 - Glenard Sunrise (2-9)
The Matt Dartnall-trained dog managed to make it to last year’s Derby final and on paper has a reasonable average track time which would suggest he could replicate the moment this year. I have trouble seeing it actually happening unless he improves his break and avoids any early bumps.
T3 - Oran Classic (12-1)
Classic can be backed at 25-1 in the ante-post market at this stage by most bookmakers to go the distance, the same odds as last year’s Derby winner Kinda Ready. I would say he has pretty much the same chances too. If Classic can manage to qualify through to the final he may just reserve his best performance for when it counts most.
T4 - Krug Ninety Five (9-2)
A great Derby start for this Irish-trained greyhound who took first in the opening round which saw Eye Onthe Storm’s career come to a sad end, and also finished first in the second round which saw the elimination of greyhound of the year Fear Zafonic.
I fancied this dog’s chance early on, but recently he has struggled, it will be either him or Classic who look to stand a chance in securing the Irish with their first finalist of the night.
T5 - Slick Robert (8-1)
Slick Robert, another Irish trained greyhound, hasn’t really tasted victory throughout his Derby campaign, but all credit goes to him for reaching this stage. His been drawn in an unsuited trap and I’m guessing it’s the end of the track for him.
I would be surprised to see him qualify, but there’s a saying in greyhound racing which pretty much applies to anything in life, anything is possible.
T6 - Westmead Scolari (w) (9-4 Joint favourite)
The 2010 Bettor.com Scottish Derby finalist has done well to maintain his form and adapt to the different weather conditions from what he faced at Shawfield.
Scolari, for me, has to be the favourite in this heat and offers great value in landing this year’s Derby. The Nick Savva trained charge has an excellent average track time of 28.67secs, and being gifted with a trap six draw once again this Saturday will certainly see him through to next week’s final.
Bettor.com prediction – 6 + 1+ 3
Second semi-final
T1 - Romeo Reason (5-1)
You have every reason to back Romeo Reason who’s picked up a bit of a winning habit recently, but as every major competition progresses, things are bound to get a lot tougher. Reason set a time of 29.34secs the last time he made a trap-one start, and although he came second in the race, this time will be up against a much challenging field.
His chances would have been higher if he was drawn in the first set of semis.
T2 - Bandicoot Tipoki (11-4)
Charlie Lister could make it his fifth English Derby success in the form of Tipoki, a greyhound who has been superb throughout and stands every chance in bagging that £75,000 prize.
T3 - Head Iton Ellis (16-1)
Last year’s Blue Square Derby Plate winner has managed to lay low throughout the competition, his certainly familiar with the track and has an average track time which suggests he could very well make it to the final.
T4 – Adageo (25-1)
Champion trainer Mark Wallis suffered a big blow with the tragic exit of Eye Onthe Storm, but Adageo still remains in the competition representing the Imperial kennels, who really could do with a Derby winner for cheering up.
Very unpredictable, so it’s hard to rule him out.
T5 - Farloe Skywalker (12-1)
Skywalker is the second Derby hopeful representing Dartnall, his been drawn with trap five beside ante-post favourite Toomaline Jack. This situation could become very messy at an early stage and chances of him qualifying look doubtful.
T6 - Toomaline Jack (8-11 Favourite)
The Dolores Ruth-trained dog has brought a whole new game to Wimbledon. He’s exceptionally quick on the break and manages to use great use of pace throughout the course.
He’s yet to be beaten and been drawn with a suited wide trap. I can hardly see him starting to pick up a losing habit at this stage and he’s also the current track record holder (28.25secs).
Bettor.com prediction – 6 + 2+ 3
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