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Regency Betting: An ante-post punting portfolio for the latest big competition

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Darrell Williams previews the action from Hove

Two weeks to the Derby, and on top of the Blue Riband (final - live on Sky next Tuesday) and the Golden Sprint, Open race fans are treated to the heats of the Regency at Hove tonight.

Won last year by Spiridon Louis, sadly currently out of action, the six bend event always features a hotbed of classy stayers, and while this year's race doesn't include any stand out performers there's quality a long way down. Droopys Riquelme, for example, might not be in the form that saw him finish third last year, but he's no [70.0] chance, judged on a couple of decent efforts here last autumn. The draw has thrown up one very hot heat, another nearly as tough, and two which should ensure the class dogs emerge unscathed.

Undoubtedly heat 4 (9.07) is the highlight of the round with four or perhaps five dogs seriously vying for the three qualifying slots. Flying Winner, ante-post favourite, heads the charge here, and will no doubt prove popular with plenty of punters, given her run of four wins from four British races in March. That sequence however came to an end at Shawfield on Saturday, and while the wide open spaces of Hove will suit her, and she could easily look a big price come finals night, she does tend to find the trouble spots and I'd rather take her on. Certainly in a heat like this anyway which also includes useful competition dog Glittering Aries (third in the Prestige), useful local Baby Marge and in form Rough Quest, even though all three were behind Flying Winner over CD last month. Of the trio, Glittering Aries is the one I like most, purely because of his ability to keep producing the goods - a recent Monmore competition win adding further evidence, and I'm including him in my portfolio, while Baby Marge is capable of fast times when she gets a run, but has to overcome a difficult draw here.

The other warm heat is heat 2 (8.34) which includes the aforementioned Droopys Riquelme (worth a small tickle), but it's Aero Blackjack that's the one to play outright for me. While the lack of a local outing is a worry for the Stewards Cup winner, he still looks too big in the market given his progressive profile. Rough Rose, Golden Jacket runner-up, cannot be under-estimated, but is priced accordingly, while Shelbourne Rich, although out of form, did trial well the other day.

My main ante-post bet however is in heat 3 (8.51) where Swift Ninja can continue his red-hot patch for Michael Harris. The winner of 13 of his last 19 outings, he beat Spiridon Louis here on Good Friday over 740m, and has been gifted an easy heat from which he can qualify in style. Likewise, Ballymac Weeshie, should comfortably land the first heat (8.18), but while I respect his outright claims, the price again does little to make me want to back him.

So to summarise, it's Swift Ninja as the main pick, with Glittering Aries and Aero Blackjack as cover, and a small back to lay on Droopys Riquelme. Good luck!