Greyhounds Betting: Hotdog Jack can cut Grand National mustard

Greyhounds News / Darrell Williams / 07 April 2009 / Leave a Comment

Darrell Williams rubs his hands at the prospect of two mouthwatering nights of televised greyhound racing.

Stay at home viewers are not only treated to two live Sky Sports programmes this week - tonight's Grand National show is followed by live coverage of the Scottish Derby final on Saturday - but this evening's broadcast also includes the Scottish Derby semi-finals as part of a ten race extravaganza.

Finding the winner of either event is not easy, with both competitions remaining wide open, but its Hotdog Jack that gets the vote in the National (9.45). Seamus Cahill's prolific winner first came to prominence when winning last year's Springbok, but an early exit in the 2008 National and last place when odds-on in the Champion Hurdle final means he's so far been unable to enjoy further big race success.

However, a resurgence of form ensures that Hotdog Jack lines up as one of two unbeaten finalists, alongside neighbour Platinumlancelot, who himself has shown the form he hinted at in the first round of this year's Springbok. Either would be a worthy winner, and with Platinumlancelot's kennelmate at Jason Foster's range The Other Outlaw also likely to be pressing for an early advantage, there is precious little room for error. But Hotdog Jack has bagged the all important trap one draw - he's unbeaten in fours starts in the red at Wimbledon- and that might just be enough to gift him first run, especially if he traps as smartly as he has done in the preliminary rounds.

Nebuchadenezzar, beaten favourite in the Springbok, and winner of a subsequent competition at Crayford, is not completely out of it, although he held every chance against the selection in Friday's semi-final, while Irish National winner Distant Legend has a bit to find.

The Scottish Derby remains anyone's race, and while Ireland must fancy its chances of adding to Tyrur Kieran's win from 12 months ago given the presence of six 'raiders' in the last 12, it's yet again Charlie Lister, bidding for a fifth win in seven years, who has the market leaders courtesy of Farloe Reason (4.5) and Ninja Jamie (4.8).

The pair meet in the first semi-final (8.25) after Farloe Reason, recommended here before the first round, had beaten his brother, who enjoyed anything but a clear run in the weekend's semi-finals. Both will be expected to qualify, but the former faces a potential hazard in the shape of fast-starting railer Must Be Keano on his outside - his draw in trap four is hardly ideal anyway - and on this occasion, Ninja Jamie is taken to exact his revenge.

Slip The Lark was denied victory in last year's Irish Derby by the minimum margin, and Pat Buckley's charge has proved time and time again that he is a top class competiton dog. His early speed could take him clear in the other semi-final (9.0), but I just fancy strong running Thurlesbeg Joker to pick him up. Barrie Draper's recent Sheffield track record breaker accounted for Slip The Lark's kennelmate Cabra Cool in the first round, and his big finish might just prove too much again.

In the supporting Wimbledon races, I make Bush Paddy, who runs in the puppy race (8.0), the bet of the night. Dean Childs' Monmore Puppy Derby finalist clocked a very fast trial for the 460m trip and followed up with a good Open win at Hove. Elsewhere, Capel Wilson, chasing a six-timer, may just get too far ahead of Golden Jacket winner Lorrys Options (9.10), who hasn't raced since that big race victory five weeks ago, but is himself looking for seven wins on the bounce.