Greyhounds Betting: Lorrys Option remains on course for Golden Jacket

Events / Darrell Williams / 24 February 2009 / Leave a Comment

The shock elimination of Midway Skipper in the semi-finals has ensured Saturday's Golden Jacket final from Crayford (12.39) will be a far more open affair, writes Darrell Williams.

Prior to the first round, Lorrys Options was put forward as this column's main selection, and Dean Childs' runner is one of two unbeaten finalists.

Both his victories have been wide margin affairs, but the most important factor in any Crayford race is the ability to get a run, and I'll freely admit his trap four draw did initially worry me. However his trainer, speaking on the Betfair Greyhound Podcast was far less concerned, stressing his dog's clever tracking skills and his ability to challenge on either side, something he feels he has inherited from his sire, the great Westmead Hawk.

Harlow Lad, the other finalist yet to taste defeat, has relished the step up in trip for this competition and appears the biggest danger having won seven of his last eight outings, although his chance will rest on not getting hooked up in an early battle with neighbour Jaytee Holly. That has to be a possibility, and if an early tussle does ensue, it could just set it up for our ante-post selection.

It's good to see Brimardon Star in the final, especially given the doubts over his original participation, and Tony Collett's runner can improve again given his previous absence since December.

But it's Aero Blackjack that might be worth saving on. Mark Wallis is bidding for three major wins in three weeks after his Springbok and Arc successes, and the former Test and Stewards Cup winner appears over-priced at [11.0]. He was runner-up in a Dual Distance competition here last autumn, and while his recent strike rate is moderate (one win in the 14 starts), I wouldn't be surprised to see him backed during the week, making him a potential trading tool as well.

Special Liberty can capture the supporting Peter Bussey Trophy (12.08) for trainer Lorraine Sams. The Oaks semi-finalist and heat winner will need to avoid equally quick starting Saucy Jim at traps rise, but is in excellent heart after also accounting for three of her rivals in a pre-event Open.

Ballymac Sophie, who couldn't cope with an unsuitable trap one draw that night, was marginally quicker than the selection when winning her own heat and appears the biggest danger.

Course specialist Barnfield Slippy, has been beaten in only one of her eight starts at the Kent track, but despite winning her own heat, is not in the same form, following two lengthy lay-offs, as when winning the Crayford Vase and Spring Trophy at the track last year.

Springbok semi-finalist Rockburst Mason can upstage fellow novice Nebuchadnezzar in the Chief Ramsbottom Hurdle final (11.37). Mark Wallis' charge has plenty in hand judged on heat form, and while a draw nearer the fence would have been preferable, a lead is not a necessity. While it was pleasing to see Nebuchadnezzar, beaten favourite in the Springbok, bounce back, it's Lorraine Sams' other runner, the ex-Irish based Call Late that could be worth saving on. The Tote Gold Collar fourth, who contested the Irish National last autumn, was having his first look at a British circuit in the heats, and plenty of improvement is expected.