Events / Darrell Williams / 30 September 2009 / Leave a comment

Darrell Williams looks ahead to Thursday night's Laurels semi-finals...

"Barbies Man is temptingly over-priced outright, and worth a play in the 9:10."

Target Brett, put up as the dog to beat in the Laurels via a 'daily dogs bet' column last week, remains ante post favourite ahead of Thursday's semi-finals at Belle Vue; the final is live next Tuesday on Sky Sports.

Having won the Manchester Puppy Cup a few weeks ago, Julie Bateson's runner remains unbeaten in four tries at the Gorton track, but faces a tricky draw outside Scurry Cup winner Centaur Allstar, who can also boast a 4/4 record at the host track, and is favourite to get first run in the opening semi-final at 8:55. While both should qualify, Target Brett started slowly last week, something he can ill afford to do again against such a speedy rival and while I still believe he can still ultimately win the Laurels, I won't be rushing in to back him again at this stage.

The other semi-finals make more appeal in terms of wagers with another of Bateson's team, Barbies Man, temptingly over-priced outright, and also worth a play in the 9:10. Winner of the Ladbrokes Gold Cup, where he had Bandicoot Tipoki back in third in August, he remains lightly raced since coming across from Ireland and can follow up his impressive first round win.

Bateson, also fields Target Classic, formerly known as Drumna Classic, third in the Scottish Derby final, in the other semi-final at 9:25, but I fancy Slick Ace to confirm the form of their meeting in the opening round. Keith Allsopp's runner, who also won at Coventry in August on his only other British start, showed terrific early pace last week and looks well drawn between a slow starter and a middle favouring rival. I'd also suggest adding him to the ante post portfolio.

Sunderland's Northern Puppy Derby begins on Saturday, but without the presence of either Ted Soppitt or Charlie Lister who have won the last four renewals between them.

Early indications suggest it's a wide open affair, but for those looking for an ante post interest I'll be splitting my stake between Ten Large Down and Killieford Fire. The former needs little introduction having won the Westmead Puppy Derby at Henlow, and confirmed his ability to act around the sometimes tricky Wearside circuit with a smooth trial stakes victory last Saturday.

He does however face a far from straight forward heat (9:08) with Manchester Puppy Cup third Little Gaffer as well as King Lee, withdrawn from the Romford Puppy Cup through sickness after clocking the fastest first round time, both in opposition. Little Gaffer ran the track particularly well in a trial last week and is another to consider for the ante post portfolio.

I was hoping for a fair price about Killieford Fire as he hails from the little known Neil Black camp. However, early indications suggest that is unlikely to happen, and in fairness his short-head second place to Target Brett in the aforementioned Manchester Puppy Cup final, has put his form very much in the public domain. Two solid trials over the 450m Sunderland trip suggest he can go a long way.

Tags: Barbies Man, Darrell Williams, Greyhounds Betting, Manchester Greyhounds Racing, Ted Soppitt, The Laurels