Derby Betting / Darrell Williams / 14 May 2009 / Leave a comment

Darrell Williams is looking forward to Saturday's third round of qualifying where such star names as Ninja Jamie, Shelbourne Aston and Fear Zafonic will all be in action.

Saturday's 3rd round of the Blue Square Greyhound Derby is one of the most exciting of the competition as for the first time it offers the chance to see all the runners in action on the same night. And judged on what we've seen so far, this year's showpiece event has to go down as the one of the most competitive for many years.

In terms of ante-post wagers, Boherna Best and Wise Thought, both put forward back in the autumn, have made it this far, with the former taking off in his heat last weekend - more than living up to the expectations of his connections who had suggested a big run was expected. Barrie Draper's dog has drawn a tough heat (8.45) up against Farloe Reason and Ballymac Ruso, but could take advantage of a possible clash on the run up between those two rivals, and should be backed accordingly. Lightly raced this year, and with the Derby always his principal early season target, he remains one of the most likely winners of greyhound racing's greatest prize.

Wise Thought doesn't do middle draws, or at least that's the message that has become apparent from his two runs so far, but a trap five draw on Saturday is at least heading in the right direction for this ultra wide runner. He had to pull out all the stops to get up last time, but went worryingly wide at the fourth bend even when allowed a clear path, and I'm beginning to wonder if he's good enough to claim outright glory. I fancy Windy Millar, who beat him in the first round, and whose performance last week was the fastest in the competition so far, to confirm the form (9.45), and put the doom merchants, who doubt the ability of Pat Rosney's dog to keep producing the goods in their place.

Ante post favourite Fear Zafonic failed to totally convince from a trap three draw last weekend, and connections will be ruing the same draw outside Irish Derby winner Shelbourne Aston and middle moving Lenson Smoothie (8.15) - all of which could work wonders for Cabra Boss on the outside. The McNair's early paced course specialist remains under-rated and is a must bet at the prices.

Deanridge Fury appears more and more a possible winner, showing superb track craft after being forced wide at the turn last weekend, and looks a shoo-in in the opening heat (8.0) drawn outside middle favouring Kindred Sparky.

Love Mac, who looks equally well-berthed in a weak looking heat at 8.30, should also justify his odds, although his price is likely to be restrictive. Kennelmate Drumna Willow might give him most to do.

Greenwell River once again showed what he can do when getting on the bunny in the previous round and looks to have the opportunity for a repeat in the 9.30 heat, with Cabra Fly and Lenson Express' rails preference likely to allow him ample room to accelerate. Dotland Hit Man should comfortably qualify.

Puppy Bandicoot Tipoki took off down the back straight in round two, but I'm still worried about his ability to secure an early pitch as the competition gets tougher, and I have to take him on in the 9.15. While Glenard Sunrise, who did me a big favour last week, remains a potential finalist, he may edge right from trap two, which means Droopys Lee, subject of a failed major gamble last week, could take advantage.

Ninja Jamie's Wimbledon record, especially in trap one, is second to none, although he will need to avoid Ja Mann on the run up (9.0). If he does, and it was noticeable that Charlie Lister's runner didn't move off at the bend last week, he wins, but for those who believe in the magic of the Derby, what about Kylegrove Cougar for the upset of the round? Claude Gardiner's dog has run well in defeat in both rounds and could just sneak round in front. Surely not!