Events / Darrell Williams / 03 June 2009 / Leave a comment

Darrell Williams previews the Belle Vue double header...

Belle Vue's Scurry Gold Cup and Cock O' The North double header continues with the semi-finals of both events on Thursday, ahead of the live Sky Sports covered finals next Tuesday.

Each event remains wide open after the culmination of last week's first round heats, which saw any number of leading fancies eliminated in the Cock O' The North, while many of the Scurry big guns were beaten, but did at least qualify.

Of the two events, it's the six bend contest that offers the best outright bet in my opinion, with Hurleys Hero at [3.8] taken to win the Cock O' the North and give trainer James Wright the perfect start to his training career.

Wright, a former assistant of Graham Hutt, was only granted his licence ahead of last week's first round heats, having also been assistant to Andrew Bell, to whom the dog had been attached. A fastest time of the year, 40.50, in that opening round put Hurleys Hero to the head of the betting, a position he can further enhance by beating old rival Plough Lane, who he comfortably accounted for at Sunderland last month, in the 9.53 semi-final.

Julie Bateson's course specialist is however also taken to qualify - remember with three semi-finals only the top two go through - but with three wins to his name, including a victory in the first round following that reverse to his semi-final rival on his six bend debut, he also rates an outright interest at [15.0].

Kim Billingham's Dessies Blueboy, another heat winner, has won three of his last five outings, and is given the vote in the 9.37 semi-final, where Ullid Amy could prove to be the biggest danger, and perhaps other qualifier. Having only her third start since her seasonal break, she was struck into early on in her heat, and looks open to plenty of improvement. I'd also add both of them to the outright portfolio. Kennelmate Gabba Gabba Hey, a beaten favourite in the Grand Prix at Nottingham in April, looks a solid choice in the first semi-final at 9.21.

Ante-post favourite Miss Lee had to give second best, albeit by a short-head behind Pennylane Flash in the Scurry heats, where the latter had to break the clock in order to secure victory. Unfortunately Pat Rosney's runner has been withdrawn through injury, but while prolific sprint winner Miss Lee has to remain a candidate for outright glory, her recent form has been well below her high standard, with defeats in her last five outings. The return to a trap six draw, from where she has gained her previous two Belle Vue wins could just see her back in the winner's enclosure, although for an outright wager I'd rather look elsewhere.

Chris Allsopp's Officer Donagh has been in scintillating form of late, with wins in seven of his last ten outings, which includes a defeat of Golden Sprint hero Glenroe Ginger in last week's heats and with only four rivals, and a vacant box outside, he is taken to win the 8.50 heat, and perhaps the event outright - take the [11.0].

Glenroe Ginger can return to winning ways in the other semi-final at 8.20, where improving Centaur Allstar, who won a heat of the Derby, can also provide Chris Allsopp with another qualifier.