Betfair Official Blog

Springbok Aftermath: A Hotdog and a Ninja are among the ones to follow

Click here to view market

Jonathan Hobbs goes over Wednesday night's Wimbledon action

You couldn't help but be impressed by Hotdog Jack's Springbok success, the way he pulled clear of Quivers Punch and Beardys Harry put him in the top bracket of timber-toppers.
It thus promises to be great Grand National with the likes of Seamus Cahill's star - and no doubt his team - and, likewise, Jason Foster's army of hurdlers.

Hurdler of the Year Kildare Lark will spearhead his team, but he also has the Irish Grand National, Comans Joe, in his kennel and that dog has been winning H1s for fun recently.
Also winning for fun currently, certainly for his growing legion of backers for the Derby, is Ninja Jamie who made it three wins from three starts with a runaway victory. He looks the real deal and, while one or two observers have pointed to a lack of early fireworks, I disagree.

Ninja Blue has huge early speed and flew from the winning line to the bend. His trapping needs improving but that will surely come with experience. How many dogs can have ranked so highly in the Derby market after just three races? I doubt many. He is the real deal.

The same cannot be said, on this occasion at least, about Farloe Reason who fluffed his lines much to the cost of favourite backers, especially on the multiples. He is a better dog than that, for sure, but in terms of his Derby chances, you have to wonder. His brother Ninja Jamie holds bragging rights currently!

In terms of the future, Ted Soppitt's dog Droopys Totti was the eyecatcher of the night. His 28.78sec run for the 480m followed a real bump from Ronaldos Merit and he powered past Pea Ball up the run-in.

Soppitt has always believed his dog could be a Derby type, even while he was winning the Puppy Stayers at Walthamstow. He looks right.

But also keep an eye out on Droopys Obefemi. He went to the bend with Farloe Reason in their race and, if anything, was a cause of the favourite's demise. He took a whack at the turn and lost all chance but still retains ability.

Genesis Dream did everything right in the bitches race and, in wonderful hindsight, her 6-1 SP was awesome, her Coronation Cup form at Romford showed that.

Broadway Sizzler ran poorly by her high standards but better days will return for sure.
It was great to see Spridion Louis waltzing home in the 872m and he looked very strong. No one can expect the sort of year he had in 2007, but there was a lot to like about his performance, admittedly against a weakish field.

Follow Swift Messenger in all she does, and likewise keep an eye on Shelbourne Rich. The pair did each other no favours in the 688m race won by Pigalle Lady, but the former especially made up a huge amount of ground and a forthcoming 630m Monmore competition could be suitable.

Shelbourne Rich was somewhat ragged, again. He has great ability, good pace, but trackcraft-wise is a frustrating dog to follow.

Sky's next stop is the final of the Arc at Walthamstow and with the possibility of the likes of Kildare Lark, Hotdog Jack, Spiridon Louis, not to mention the chance of an appearance by Barnfield On Air, it promisesplenty to look forward to.