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Preview of the Prestige Stakes

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All you need to know about the betting on the Prestige Stakes at Hall Green

Just days into the New Year and Hall Green's Prestige Stakes starts off 2008's competition rollercoaster. The six bend event for twenty four dogs at Hall Green is staged over three rounds, starting on Friday, with the final screened live on Sky Sports on Tuesday 15th January.

Two years ago, Nick Savva's Westmead Olivia beat kennel and littermate Westmead Aoifa in a terrific finish and half sister Westmead Tina, out of super bitch Mega Delight, is stepped up in trip in a bid to follow in the family footsteps. Well fancied for the Oaks, it was disappointing that 'Tina' failed to qualify from her semi-final, but she has already proved her liking for an extended trip by winning on her six bend debut at Henlow on Boxing Day. Given the progeny's general aptitude for a staying trip there's every chance that she can build on that performance and add to her Sussex Puppy Trophy win from early autumn. However, given her likely odds I'm more inclined to look elsewhere for an ante post wager or two.

Directors Chair who has already proved his liking for this circuit by running unbeaten through the Midland St Leger a month or so ago is my number one choice. The Mark Wallis charge was fourth in the St Leger and also runner-up in the Racing Post Stayers final at the Festival, all of which confirms his status as a proven competition dog. A current sequence of five wins in seven races also does little to harm his claims. While he has hardly been given a walkover in his heat with recent Monmore competition winner Monsoon Jack also in the line up, he should have little trouble in qualifiying, especially given an encouraging recent trial when beating kennelmate Eye On The Veto at Sheffield.

Local Knowledge, fourth behind Larkhill Bird - who unfortunately is currently sidelined - in this competition last year, is also worthy of inclusion in your ante post portfolio. Paul Young's bitch disapppinted me a bit when getting knocked out in the first round of last month's Oaks, but few can demonstrate better versatility in terms of trip, given her recent run in the Ted Hegarty Marathon at Harolds Cross, although her exit in the semi-final was again earlier than expected. Young has taken the trouble to give her a trial over CD, and Neil Ryan's Leger fifth, could be ready to return to her best form at a trip where she clocked the fastest recorded time last year.

At a bigger price, I also like Glittering Aries to reach the final. Bookmakers had him rivaling Directors Chair for favouritism in the Midland Leger after a rapid fire run in the heats of that competition, although he was clearly put in his place in the final. However, he again demonstrated his liking for a competition when beating Monsoon Jack in the heats of the Ladbroke Stayers just before Christmas, before enjoying no luck in running in the eventual final.