Events / Darrell Williams / 01 September 2009 / Leave a comment

A greyhound great takes his final bow tonight. Darrell Williams previews the best of the action from Romford tonight.

"Go Big Hitter's record of three winners from seven over the 575m trip has all been achieved since June, and while his trap one stats are moderate he showed he can handle the red last week. In a competitive race, I make him the most likely winner."

Romford's highlight of the season, the Champion Stakes final, headlines Sky Sport's eight race extravaganza this evening, but will be played without the participation of defending champion Lenson Joker who was surprise elimination in the semi-final. Len Ponder and co's Greyhound of the Year, will instead sign off his career in one of the supporting opens - but more on that later.

The final itself (9.45) has an open look to it, with in form Cranham Star arguably representing the best 'value' in the race. Patsy Cusack's charge who had the honour of beating Derby winner Kinda Ready at 33/1 at Wimbledon in the spring, has hit form with a vengeance winning four of his last five outings, but will need to avoid wide moving Kinda Easy in the early stages.

Westmead Tina has her draw in six, and supporters of Nick Savva's bitch will again be looking for her off the pace finish to again prove effective, but I'm sweet on Go Big Hitter, who was relentless from the front in the semi-finals and will again look to control the inside. That too has its potential hazards with Bubbly Rambo in trap two looking for the inside, but Dean Childs' runner is in excellent form having missed the first two only once in his last ten outings. Go Big Hitter's record of three winners from seven over the 575m trip has all been achieved since June, and while his trap one stats are moderate he showed he can handle the red last week. In a competitive race, I make him the most likely winner.

Punters will be clambering to get on Lenson Joker (8.0) for his farewell performance tonight and despite his semi-final exit from the Champion, where he could never get anywhere near the front, he had dished out an excellent victory in the first round. His odds tonight however are likely to be prohibitive and at a bigger price I'd suggest a little bit on Droopys Carvalho, whose Romford record is equally strong. Bomber Blue, who has failed to win since last autumn (12 races) and is 0-5 over the CD looks one for the layers.

Maiden Open competitions can often prove hazardous for punters, but Ballymac Roger clocked the fastest time in qualifying, and that despite taking a knock at the third bend. Pat Rosney's charge had earlier run well to reach the Gold Collar semi-finals at Belle Vue and may just hold a class edge in the final (9.10)

Ardbeg Kate has done nothing wrong in making it 5/5, and was mightily impressive at Wimbledon the other week. She really should go in again (7.40), having had a look round here last week, but at the prices I'm taking a chance with Fire For Effect who runs the track particularly well and looks well drawn outside inside moving Lethal Spurs.

Tinker could hardly have won any easier in the Marathon heats and can continue his excellent run in the final (8.50), although he will need to clear Capel Yankee early.

Guinness Time should have few problems in landing the odds in the Puppy final at 8.35. Seamus Cahill's showed plenty of trackcraft from off the speed in the heats, but is likely to hold a more prominent position this time and can collect for odds on players.

Tags: Ballymac Roger, Bubbly Rambo, Champion Stakes, Droopys Carvalho, Fire For Effect, Go Big Hitter, Guinness Time, Lenson Joker, Tinker