Golden Jacket: Dazzle looks special in Crayford showpiece

Events / Darrell Williams / 23 February 2010 / Leave a Comment

"Teresa Hunwicks’ bitch (Dazzle Special), while not quickest out, showed tremendous pace up, clocking a 2310 sectional – only 9 spots off the 380m track-record – a reproduction of which would make her virtually unstoppable in Saturday’s final"

Dazzle Special will take plenty of beating in Saturday's Golden Jacket final, but previous readers' should already have a 'green book' with main rival Group Skater also put up ante post. Darrell Williams offers his thoughts and on the two supporting finals.

Dazzle Special showed her true colours with a runaway victory in her Golden Jacket semi-final last weekend and surely now has at least one paw on the prestigious trophy as she bids to end a disastrous run in the race for ante post favourites.

Teresa Hunwicks' bitch, while not quickest out, showed tremendous pace up, clocking a 2310 sectional - only 9 spots off the 380m track-record - a reproduction of which would make her virtually unstoppable in Saturday's final - live in the betting shops from Crayford at 12.39.

For those who've followed this column's advice, a 'green book' awaits after Dazzle Special was put up as an outright saving wager before the semi-finals, having advised you to back Group Skater at big prices at the outset.

Paul Hennessy's charge already has a verdict over Dazzle Special, having beaten her in the heats, albeit when the latter performed miracles just to qualify. A trap one draw (again) will ensure he remains competitive, although he would need Midway Skipper to hold up the favourite at some stage, given that Dazzle Special was three lengths faster on their respective second laps last weekend.

Midway Skipper herself, has been someway below her best, and may be still feeling a small injury which saw her surprisingly beaten in the Boxing Day Marathon final. Her price however may tempt a few at a track where she is 8/12 over CD, and remember she wasn't particularly fancied when winning the TV Trophy last summer.

However, perhaps of slightly more interest for long odds players is White Blaze, who comfortably beat 'Skipper' in the semi-finals to reach his third big final, following the Champion Stakes and Cesarewitch last season. Paul Young's charge has only recently stepped up beyond 700m, which has also brought about a return to winning form, and he should enjoy a relatively unscathed run from trap four.

Defending champion Nebuchadnezzar was closing long time leader Platinum Formaly down all the way to the line in the Chief Ramsbottom Hurdle heats, and will be fancied by many to extract his revenge in Saturday's final (11.37), which makes up part of Crayford's supporting card.

It appears a sound argument, especially considering the trouble Lorraine Sams' dog found en route. Capable of starting far quicker, the draw closer to the fence is unlikely to be a problem - he's actually won from trap one over CD - and he boasts a 5/8 record over the 540m trip.

However, at the likely prices, Platinum Formaly appears slightly over-priced, and while a trap five draw might not look ideal, his early speed should ensure he can get to the front. Formerly trained locally - he was S2 on the flat over six bends - Jason Foster's runner is worth a bet at [5.0] or higher.

I see little chance of an upset however in the Peter Bussey final (12.08) with Romeo On Course looking a worthy favourite. Dave Firmager's runner was having only his second start since a three month break in the heats, where he clocked the quickest time. While Imonlythedriver could potentially lead him up, the selection reeled him in a pre-competition Open, and with winning 640m form at Sunderland, stamina is clearly not an issue. Take 2.2 or higher.