Greyhound Derby: Friday night's second round betting previewed by Darrell Williams

Derby Betting / Darrell Williams / 07 May 2008 / Leave a Comment

Greyhound broadcaster and Wimbledon track commentator on the likely winners this Friday night

The Derby steps up a notch this weekend with the second round throwing up any number of fascinating clashes. Friday's eight heats include plenty of short priced favourites, but surely they can't all win!

The first heat at 8.15 sets the standard with a rejuvenated Barnfield On Air taking on Farloe Reason, with both having been amongst the quickest winners in the opening round. It's probably one of the toughest calls of the entire round, although it's hard to look beyond the pair with Romeo Maldini a big disappointment last week and Side Leg, held by Barnfield On Air, badly drawn. If forced to choose I'd just favour Farloe Reason given 'Barney's' slightly negative trap one draw, but it's a tight call.

Express Ego however looks well suited to the red jacket draw in heat two (8.30), especially with Blonde Dino likely to edge middle. Carlsberg Flash couldn't have broken any sharper in his heat, but was still caught and I'm happy to take on the puppy. Westmead Lord rates an obvious danger, but will need to avoid wide moving Eye Onthe Veto.

Toosey Blue ran a stormer in the first round, especially given the traps failure and clearly loves Wimbledon (four wins from five) but faces a speed war early on with neighbour Advantage Johnny (8.45) - also highly impressive last week, which makes it even more difficult not to side with Tyrur Kieran.

Best bet of the night is undoubtedly Droopys Wells (9.00) who just continues to churn out wins round here and is drawn to make all in his favourite striped jacket against moderate opposition.

I still remain unconvinced about Catunda Harry - but accept that he is a very fast dog - and therefore I'm siding with Ninja Jamie in the 9.15. Admittedly 'Harry' could take off with Barnfield Mike likely to cut in, but 'Jamie' has enough early to lead and if hitting 28.70 will not go down lightly.

Farloe Niall has hit a purple patch and did well last Saturday, but the time was slow and the bet in the 9.30 has to be Droopys Tobey who gave Tyrur Rhino a run for his money. Worryingly 'Tobey' has only won once (from seven starts) here, but should be away and gone and looks over-priced, while Farley Legend is also drawn to run his race.

Melodys Pat impressed me immensely last Friday and gets a confident vote in the 9.45, albeit at likely prohibitive odds. It's hard not to see him dominate with only Plough Lane offering any early pace resistance.

Tyrur Laurel is the obvious contender in the 10pm, and could dot up after an excellent run behind highly pleasing Kryptonite in one of the hottest first round heats. However, I still rate Annual Scholes, who had no chance after Kilkenny Lonjack stole an early lead against him last time, but could poach his own early advantage here, which would make his odds too big.