Derby Betting / Darrell Williams / 27 January 2009 / Leave a comment

With 2008 finally laid to rest after Lenson Joker's deserved Greyhound of the Year award at a highly enjoyable Great British Greyhound Board Awards the other night, suddenly the 2009 Derby doesn't look that far away, writes Darrell Williams.

The decision to run this years Derby in May - usually the event alternates between May and June to avoid a clash with World Cup or Euro football tournaments - means it's only three months until kick-off (if you'll excuse the pun).

For those who like to ink dates into their diaries early on - never a bad idea as you'd hate your holiday in Barbados to clash with the final (that's just for the wealthy readers!), here's a full run down. The final is set for Saturday 30th May; with the event getting under way precisely one month earlier, Thursday 30th April, which along with Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd May are the dates for the first round.

Remember, last year the first round was staged over just two days, the Friday and Saturday, but provided there are enough entries three nights will be used this time. The second round is scheduled for Friday 8th and Saturday 9th May, with the third round, always the best night for me as it's the first time all the dogs run on the same night, on Saturday 16th May. Sky Sports will pick up the event at the Quarter-final stage on Tuesday 19th May, with the semi-finals the following Saturday (23rd), before the build up begins to the big night itself. The first round draw will be staged on Sunday 26th April. Get those dates marked now!

Way back in October, I took my first stab at trying to find the winner, probably a slightly crazy thing to do given it was seven months before the event, but it's a case of so far so good, with main selections Wise Thought and Boherna Best, still massive players for the ultimate prize.

I also put in a positive word for Fear Zafonic, who appeared the most intriguing of the Charlie Lister team at that time. Now, of course, he sits at the top of the market after a highly impressive Birmingham Cup win. Back in October he'd not been round Wimbledon, but as Jonathan Hobbs highlighted in his column the other day, his incredible 2717 spin for the 460m answered that question. He probably looks a little short in the market at [16.5], but given the price of Barnfield On Air and Ballymac Under at this stage last year, it's probably not the worst idea to take a little now as it could look huge after the Racing Post Juvenile next month.

All of sudden more Irish names are popping up on the ante post list, with Pat Buckley obviously intent on trying his luck after sending over a team of seven to trial the other night. Of those, Ladbroke 600 winner College Causeway (23.0) clocked the flashiest time (2750) - remember, this was the dog that this column was all over for the Leger, only for him to be denied the chance to run as he'd not had the requisite number of trials. It would certainly put a smile on Buckley's face if he came back and won the Derby!

Slightly further down the list is another Irish contender in Timor Blue (60.0), who, while disappointing in the Irish Puppy Derby final after missing his break, had been awesome in the semi-final at Harolds Cross and is interesting at a big price.

For those looking to build up a portfolio, I'm also taken by Bubbly Totti, who was unlucky not to go further than the Quarter-finals last year, and of course, secured a memorable Leger victory for his legion of Champagne Club owners last autumn. While he's a six bend performer these days, remember he was also runner-up in last year's Scottish Derby, and at [80.0] he looks the sort who will keep on qualifying.