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Oaks Betting: Savva on course for legendary double

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Darrell Williams runs through the contenders for Tuesday night's Sky-televised action...

Tuesday's Oaks final at Wimbledon, which forms the feature of an eight race live card on Sky Sports, has all the ingredients of a stunning end of season finale for TV viewers.

The presence of defending champion Dilemmas Flight sets up the possibility of a back-to-back Derby/Oaks double for trainer Nick Savva, but with last season's third Jazz Hurricane, unbeaten Broadway Sizzler and this column's long range pick Blonde Jeannie all in the line-up, this promises to be quite some race for the honour of being crowned ladies champion.

Broadway Sizzler has amazed me so far - I honestly thought she'd be found out in a four round competition - but Sean White's bitch has not seen another greyhound in making all in her three runs to date, and looks likely to be the one they'll have to catch again. She's certainly quick enough to win the race, and took advantage of Jazz Hurricane missing her start in the semis, but Derek Knight's bitch must not be under-estimated given her comfortable beating of Dilemmas Flight in the previous round.

I've been harking on about Blonde Jeannie since late October, and given her status as the only railer she's once again secured the trap one box. She only just scraped through in the first round, but has run well enough in the two rounds since, and not surprisingly found Dilemmas Flight beyond recall after suffering early crowding last time. While 'Jeannie' remains very much a player, I will be laying off a fair chunk of my bet given the ultra competitive nature of the final.

All of which leaves Dilemmas Flight, and surely where the value lies. The 2006 champion was, of course, also fourth in the Derby and looks to have been brought to her peak perfectly by the master Nick Savva. Having secured the draw connections wanted, she looks too big in the betting, especially given that she didn't race from August until November. Having improved through each round so far, she could just be ready to produce another piece of Savva magic and become the first dual winner of the race since the sixties.

Wimbledon can also be proud of Tuesday's supporting card which includes one or two greyhounds that could soon become household names. And none more so than Ballymac Under who looks set for a huge 2008.

I was at the track to see him comfortably beat highly-touted Rio Quando a week or so back and immediately added him to my ante-post portfolio for the Derby; Matthew Dartnall's charge clocked a rapid 27.46, an incredible time on winter going to maintain his unbeaten record which currently stands at four races.

While the opposition in his puppy race (20:35) includes Puppy Cup winner Westmead Keawn and fellow finalists Secretariat and Mustang Garcia, I fully expect Ballymac Under's record to remain unblemished.

Noirs Ted
and Pea Ball can fight out the 21:25 race, with the former, my pick of the night, taken to confirm Leger night form with his old rival. Seamus Cahill's runner scored comfortably enough that night and should uphold the form especially given he's been rewarded with the trap six draw, while Puppy Derby runner-up Pea Ball, a middle seed, has a far from ideal red jacket slot.. I also fancy Walthamstow trainer Cahill to be on the mark with Milldean Buster (8.15). Another winner on Leger final night, he was also only just denied on his only other start here back in the summer, and can utilise his excellent early pace to gain a solid early pitch.. The hurdles race (8.50) looks decent, but Kildare Lark, the Racing Post Festival champion, has been in riveting form recently and should secure first run given his inside draw. He holds a superior head to head record against all his rivals (except trap six, who he has never met) and is taken to come out on top.

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