Blue Square Arc Final Betting: A strong field lines up against Shaneboy Luke so is it time to take the favourite on?

Sky Previews / Darrell Williams / 19 February 2009 / Leave a Comment

Greyhound journalist and broadcaster Darrell Williams previews tonight's Sky-televised eight-card Arc night at Swindon.

The first Arc final to be staged outside of Walthamstow takes places in front of Sky Sports cameras at Swindon on Thursday evening, with the verdict perhaps more open than the betting suggests.

Having nailed our colours to favourite Shaneboy Luke at the outset, naturally a win for the Liz and Rab McNair inmate would be hugely welcome, but I'm still waiting for the big run, such as the one he showed in a pre-event trial stakes, to come. The fact he is in trap one, and so inside Lenson Express, who continually made his task difficult in the semi-final, could just be the springboard for a huge display. He'll need to trap reasonably well to avoid Corrig Vieri, likely to be coming at him as soon as the traps open.

Lenson Express himself, arguably the most consistent of any of the finalists in qualifying rounds that have been mightily difficult to assess, given a track that has had to cope with first snow and then heavy rain, will also be looking to cut in from trap three.

While I'm not suggesting deserting Shaneboy Luke, I'd rather have another string to my bow as well, and so I suggest a small play on Mistley Colonel. A semi-final winner, he improved markedly when dominating the ante-post favourite in that race. If he traps as he did last week, he should avoid the attentions of Driving Up Pal, who as suggested in my semi-final preview, ran a stormer himself to win his own race, and further emphasise just how open the final really is.

We were probably spoilt by such a high-class supporting card for the Springbok at Wimbledon last week, but to be honest I'm a little disappointed by the rest of the programme.

Eye Onthe Brave, however, should put us amongst the winners in the opener (7.40). Mark Wallis' runner had won well in the first round of the Arc, but an unusually slow break cost him dearly in the next round. A finalist in the Gymcrack, Puppy Derby and All England Cup last year outlines his credentials, and while a lead early on would be a bonus, I expect him to outstay his rivals. My only reason for not going in stronger is the presence of early paced railer Brickfield Class on his immediate outside, who might even be worth saving on.

Killacolla Fox, a semi-finalist in the Arc, can gain some compensation in the 8.50, which again does not look the strongest four bend race for a Sky Sports card, and his consistency should reap rewards.

Goldcrest King will naturally be popular in the 9.25, and while the Birmingham Cup runner-up took an early bath in the Arc, he had posted a fast trial beforehand. I certainly respect his chances, but I just fancy local runner Anzio, who seems to save his best for the 509m trip.

Flying Winner, a money buying machine for those who don't mind what the price is, chases win number nine on the spin in the 9.10, but it's not a marathon this time, rather a six bend race over 737m. She did win over a similar trip at Sheffield following her early exit in the Leger, and will probably win again, but if the price is inviting enough I'd be tempted to try and take her on with Wise Maldini. The current track record holder has a local six bend record, over both trips, that is second to none, and the step back up from four bends is bound to suit.