Betfair Official Blog

Birmingham Cup Betting: Ballymac leads classy field of entries

Click here to view market

Darrell Williams rates the leading contenders for Perry Barr fixture...

The Birmingham Cup which begins at Perry Barr on Saturday - the final is live on Sky Sports a week on Thursday - has attracted a high quality of entrant, but there is no doubt that come trap rise there is one dog that all eyes will be on.

Ballymac Under, already touted as the potential Derby winner in my column over Christmas, makes his first start in a competition after building up a huge reputation in front of the cameras at Wimbledon on Oaks final night. His first look at Perry Barr in a trial last week resulted in a fast calculated 28.23 for the 480m trip, which suggests the Midlands track will hold few fears, and while he has been drawn in a tough heat, it will be a huge shock if the Matt Dartnall trained youngster is not in the final come January 24th.

Perry Barr must be ecstatic with the classy line up for this early season competition, but given Ballymac Under's form so far, and the fact that he is very much the talking dog at the moment, his ante-post price remains attractive enough to get involved with and I have little hesitation in making him my main selection. But hurry along if you fancied getting involved, as I have no doubt that punters will want to play him!

I'm also quite keen on Rev Counter in the same heat. Chris Allsopp's runner is unraced since winning the Eclipse at Nottingham in November, but has had a couple of pleasing trials over course and distance recently and remains unbeaten at the track in three previous starts. His 'nasty' trap six draw in a field of railers - Ballymac Under has secured the ideal trap one box - tempers my enthusiasm a little - although he has won from trap five in Ireland - but at the prices is certainly worth including in your portfolio.

As I highlighted this is a competition with plenty of strength in depth. Ballymac Under's kennelmate Cleenas Lady is interesting, but faces a tough task straight out of season. Lightly raced Farloe Hurricane, last year's Gymcrack winner, is another to consider, but the layers are fully aware of his ability and offer little in the way of value. Iceman Vader, another good competition dog, makes plenty of appeal at a more backable price, but my final selection is Pond Astronaut at slightly bigger odds. Harry Williams has him in top form after four wins and three seconds in his last seven outings, including a runners-up spot in the Harry Holmes at Sheffield and with his status as one of only seven wide seeds in the draw, he looks favourably treated.

With Directors Chair and Glittering Aries, two of my three ante-post picks, winning the Prestige semi finals at Hall Green on Tuesday, we now have the two market leaders for next Tuesday's live Sky Sports final, putting us in a lucrative trading position. I'll be back to preview the pick of the Sky races ahead of that card.