Events / Darrell Williams / 09 September 2009 / Leave a comment

The 63rd Betfair East Anglian Derby swings into action at Yarmouth on Wednesday evening - the first round is live in the betting shops - and while Charlie Lister hasn't quite won every renewal, his record of nine victories is nevertheless one to be proud of, writes Darrell Williams.

"Farloe Reason looks to hold an excellent chance, and for me rates the most likely winner at around [5.0]."

Charlie Lister makes no secret of his admiration for this competition - won last year in track-record breaking fashion by his own Ninja Jamie - and he has lined up his big guns for an assault on win number 10. Layers, of course, will want to take no chances with his runners, with his main battalion of Farloe Reason, Fear Zafonic and Jordansoilutions all in the top five in the betting.

Twelve months ago Farloe Reason looked the dog who might claim the outright prize when beating the then track-record in the first round, only to take a tumble and an exit from the competition in the very next round. I personally imagine nothing would give Lister greater pleasure than to see Farloe Reason, a littermate, of course, of last year's winner Ninja Jamie, to gain deserved compensation. And from the very fast trial he posted last week, having run an excellent second in the Select Stakes at Nottingham in his previous start, he looks to hold an excellent chance, and for me rates the most likely winner at around [5.0].

Derby runner-up Fear Zafonic must be respected, and recorded a more than satisfactory trial over the 462m the other day, but at similar outright odds he makes less appeal after a troublesome run in the Select, although I admit I'd be far from surprised if he bounced back to his best in this event. Puppy Classic third Jordansoilutions naturally remains open to plenty of further improvement, and while he probably needs to step up on his form, current quotes are not unreasonable.

Away from the Lister camp I think the market has got it just about right with Glenroe Ginger and Droopys Bogart, who clash in the first round, both holding realistic chances.

Gymcrack winner Droopys Bogart has not been seen since getting no sort of run when favourite in the Classic final at Sunderland in mid July, but is regarded as potentially the best dog he's ever handled by Rab McNair, and looks as though he's been trained with this event in mind. Of the pair, given his improving profile I just prefer him to Glenroe Ginger, although Barrie Draper's Peterborough Derby runner-up should not be under-estimated. Both have recorded pleasing pre-competition trials.

Of the longer priced runners I'm also interested in Chicago Prince, trained by the very shrewd David Pruhs, who has already shown plenty of promise at Yarmouth, both when behind Eye On the Flash in July and also in two recent trials. My interest was further heightened when learning of early support for him in the ante post market.

Tags: Charlie Lister, Darrell Williams, Farloe Reason, Greyhound Racing, Greyhounds Betting, The Betfair East Anglian Derby