Greyhound Betting: Maldini will relish better conditions in Prestige Final

Events / Jonathan Hobbs / 08 January 2009 / Leave a Comment

Milder conditions could play a vital part in Birmingham next week and, as the temperature rises, the favourite's price will plummet, says Jonathan Hobbs.

To Birmingham next week for the final of the Prestige at Hall Green - and I can't help thinking the form of the semi-finals will be turned completely on its head!

There is one proviso, however. The weather. I reckon it could be milder next week and faster conditions are likely to be the result. Remember it has been a second slow for heats and semi-finals and when you think the redoubtable stayers Steady Scholes and Lorrys Options were the two semi winners, then it proves what a slog it turned out to be.

If you are closer to the Met Office than me, and know it's going to stay cold, then stay with the strong runners, but I fancy it might be milder and surely, surely that must help the speedster that is undoubtedly Romeo Maldini. If the temperature rises, I reckon his price will plummet.

Hall Green's opens on Tuesday continue what has been a cracking start to the open-race year, with Perry Barr staging the heats of the Birmingham Cup tomorrow (Friday) ahead of the semis next week and final live on Sky on Thursday week. Plus the Coronation Cup has been ongoing at Romford. Incidentally, I did like the performance of King Leonidas in defeat in his heat.

And as for Nottingham, they kick-started the Classic year on Monday!

Charlie Lister unveiled two of his Derby contenders in Bandicoot Topoki and Fear Zafonic. The former was on debut, the latter returning after injury. Both won in soft conditions, with Topoki a real market springer with an impressive first appearance after sparkling in trials.

Nottingham staged a host of opens on Monday and the performance of Perrys Corleone was interesting. Having moved on from Charlie Lister's camp to the kennels of Stephen Pomroy, a first success for his new trainer might not be long in coming. He could never get competitive after a missed break but was not beaten far in the end and could go in next time.

Another one worth watching is Bayside Bear. He's quite exposed now but continues to perform well, especially over 305m at Nottingham, and is worth keeping on the right side of, likewise fellow sprinter Monterey Jack, but for different reasons. The two bends at Nottingham tests his stamina but a shorter sprint can see him return to the winner's enclosure.

Blonde Lucy, who finished close up over four bends, is also worth keeping tabs with next time.