Greyhounds Betting: Key contenders for Betfair Trainers' Championship

Events / Editor / 16 March 2009 / Leave a Comment

As Betfair offers the two-legged heroes of British Greyhound Racing a shot at glory, Mark Sullivan profiles the contenders for the Trainer's Championship.

Seamus Cahill: The defending Trainers' Championship title-holder after securing the competition at Wimbledon last March after a tough struggle against Charlie Lister. The astute Irishman has assembled the best team at his disposal for this term's renewal and can be relied upon to put up a spirited battle to hold onto the pot, although it is fair to say his current crop appears to fall a little short of the class of 2008. Injury has ruled out his talented stayer Hawks Dilemma and that has left Cahill with few solid chances of taking maximum points in any of the legs.

Barrie Draper: One of the shrewdest trainers in the country who has some of the best performers on the open race circuit at his Rotherham kennels. In fact, it was Draper's preference for keeping only the best blue chip performers that inspired his decision to quit as a graded trainer at Sheffield last year. But his team appear regularly in opens at the Owlerton track and they know every nook and cranny of the place. Draper finished behind Seamus Cahill last year and he has since put together a top class team that includes Thurlesbeg Joker, the new 500 metres track record holder at Sheffield, and the brilliant Boherna Best.

Charlie Lister: Likely to start a red-hot favourite to land his fourth Trainers' Championship and it is little wonder when you consider the team he has put together. The late defection of Farloe Merlin is a slight setback but it is not insurmountable especially as talented newcomer Tyrur Kirk has been brought in. Lister leaves nothing to chance. His dedication and professionalism is evidenced by the team his team, which includes Fear Zafonic, Ninja Jamie and Farloe Reason. It is difficult imagine the Nottinghamshire trainer not playing a major part.

John Mullins: Taking part in his third successive Trainers' Championship and is sure to bring his squad to Sheffield in prime condition. The expanses of the Penistone Road venue proved a happy hunting ground for Mullins last year as he landed the Yorkshire Oaks and Steel City Cup there. First impressions suggest Mullins' hasn't got the strength in depth of past campaigns but the trainer himself, who is not given to bullish comments, has warned that he could have one or two dark horses to unleash on his rivals. Of his more established players Sussex Cup winners Droopys Carvalho could make an impact.

Pat Rosney: Making his debut in the Trainers' Championship and he probably wishes it was being staged somewhere other than Sheffield. Despite being a relatively local track for the Lancashire-based Rosney, the Yorkshire venue has proven a far from a lucky track. However, he comes into the event with a good team of dogs and a devoted bunch of owners keen for him to do well. Windy Millar, ultimately Wimbledon Derby-bound, is a dog Rosney thinks extremely highly of and he could secure vital points for his trainer as could the talented Shadayid, although both contest extremely hot races.

Mark Wallis: Winner of the Champion Trainer title in 2008 and also successful in the Trainers' Championship in 2006 - his first season as a fully-fledged trainer after taking over the licence from Linda Jones, his mother-in-law. Wallis has devoted the majority of his resources on open racing since the devastating closure of Walthamstow last year and it is already paying dividends with winners the length and breadth of the country almost every week. He has assembled a first class team of racers for this competition and in the tradition of his Imperial Kennels will put up a serious challenge for the title.