Betfair East Anglian Derby: Cobra aims to sting shoo-in Ninja

Sky Previews / Darrell Williams / 18 September 2008 / Leave a Comment

Ninja Jamie is favourite to win the Betfair East Anglian derby but his littermate's elimination is a warning against complacency, says Darrell Williams.

By about ten past ten tonight we'll know the six finalists ready to do battle in next Tuesday's £20K Betfair East Anglian Derby final at Yarmouth, which will be broadcast live from the seaside venue on Sky Sports.

After last weekend's second round, Ninja Jamie should be a shoo-in for tonight's first semi-final (at 9.52) as he bids to edge trainer Charlie Lister closer to an incredible ninth win in the event. Given the repeat of the trap one draw he used so effectively when scoring by five lengths in a time only 14 spots outside the track record the other night, it's hard to envisage defeat for the still lightly raced Select Stakes runner-up.

Mind you, many would have said the same about littermate Farloe Reason, who having set new figures for the 462m trip in a devastating first round performance, found himself squeezed out of contention and ultimately the competition the same night.

Ninja Jamie's trapping has been far from perfect, but granted his draw he could probably even afford a slight blip at the start again and still win. Given the possibility of that scenario however his odds offer little to entice most punters, and those seeking an alternative might consider veteran Cobra Striking, who took advantage of a trouble strewn race between the pair to score in the first round. Ernie Gaskin's runner is in good form himself with five wins in nine, and given his consistency at the boxes he offers a not unrealistic chance of again upsetting the jolly.

Droopys Carvalho left it extremely late before nailing Movealong Blue in their second round clash last Saturday, but the Sussex Cup winner may find things pan out even more favourably in the rematch in the second semi-final at [10.08].

Movealong Blue, put up ante post before the first round has enjoyed a lucrative summer, narrowly failing to win the East Yorkshire Derby at Hull before claiming the East Anglian Challenge over this trip last month, but faces a tough task to 'get free' from trap two tonight with stacks of early pace amongst the four inside runners.

All of which should suit John Mullins' charge in trap five, who has no stamina issues after winning over 575m at Romford recently, and for whom the race should set up perfectly.
Two supporting finals are also up for decision on the supporting card with Butterbridge Ali expected to claim the Derby Purse at [10.24]. After remarkably setting new figures for Walthamstow's 640m trip at the East London stadium's final night, the three year old comfortably clocked the fastest time in the Purse heats to make it four wins in his last five outings. The presence of early paced railer Blackrose Billy in trap five is an added bonus and I expect the selection to dominate from trap to line.

Perrys Tango is not surprisingly favourite for the Sprint final at [9.04] after breaking the clock in last week's heats and Lorraine Sams prolific winner will be fancied by many to make it nine wins in his last eleven races. They may well be right, but the presence of Blonde Buster in trap one is too hard to resist. The former Peterborough Derby winner, and beaten favourite in last season's East Anglian Derby final, was returning to the track for the first time since May when winning his heat, and while he has about three lengths to find on the clock with the favourite that is more than fairly reflected in the price differential between the pair.