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Greyhound Derby: Find the right price at the odds when betting ante-post

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Darrell Williams' backs and lays for the biggest event in greyhound racing which starts on Friday 1st May

Hold tight! The Greyhound Derby is finally about to get under way. But don't be fooled into thinking that with fewer entries than usual it's going to be easier to find the winner. In fact it's the absolute opposite, with the emphasis firmly on quality over quantity, meaning that there are any number of potential winners.

But, of course, while finding the winner is the ultimate aim, with six rounds involved there are ample trading opportunities on the outright market.

For those with long memories, I first previewed the race in December, and despite the passing of time I'm still happy with my original selections, namely Rio Quando and Ballymac Under, while both Westmead Lord and Loyal Honcho, put up as alternatives, remain firm candidates.

But how would I play now? Well like any market it's all about getting the right price. Romeo Maldini, for example, has impressed immensely in recent trial stakes, but has now reached a price that has only limited appeal, although I'm sure if he were trained by Charlie Lister and not Dave Firmager he'd doubtless be even shorter. On the other hand, Barnfield On Air has now drifted to such an extent that he now warrants inclusion as part of an ante-post portfolio, especially given that he is starting to look like his old self again, and the arrival of warmer weather looks sure to help further.

I've backed Rio Quando again in recent days as I'm still convinced that he remains too big in the betting. Danny Riordan's dog was all the rage until Ballymac Under beat him in December, and he has returned from a winter break looking just as good as before. While the Derby is not a race to put all your eggs in one basket, he's the dog that given just one choice I'd nail my colours to.

Ballymac Under remains a big player, but even though he has drifted from the ridiculously short priced quotes both he and Barnfield On Air entertained during the winter, he's still probably under-priced, but a potential winner all the same.

Last year's one-two, Westmead Lord and Loyal Honcho must not be under-estimated. My worry with 'Lord' is that he has only just come back after nearly ten months away, but his price is reasonable enough to at least include him, and it's interesting that trainer Nick Savva relies only on a team of three. Loyal Honcho however still looks over-priced, and has at least had quite a bit of recent racing meaning he comfortably makes my shortlist.

I also have to include Tyrur Kieran, who has taken to Wimbledon well after his Scottish Derby success, on the basis that he looks the real deal, and in any other year would be far shorter than his current quote given his impressive performance in Scotland.

I'm also adding in Toosey Blue, as a potential trading tool; his record at the track reads well, and to go back to my original criteria, he remains over-priced.

For those looking to lay, of the market leaders, I'd be against Catunda Harry, who may not live up to his flashy trials, while Rossacredibility is likely to find things tougher when he's taken on.

To summarise, in order of preference, I'm backing Rio Quando, Ballymac Under, Tyrur Kieran, Barnfield On Air, Westmead Lord, Loyal Honcho, Toosey Blue.

Good luck and see you at Wimbledon!