Greyhound Betting Preview: Betfair East Anglian Derby final

Sky Previews / Darrell Williams / 22 September 2008 / Leave a Comment

All eyes will be on Yarmouth on Tuesday evening for the Betfair East Anglian Derby final, where the not so small matter of £20,000 will be up for grabs in front of Sky Sports cameras, writes Darrell Williams.

Despite the exit of one of his big guns (Farloe Reason) in the second round, Charlie Lister nevertheless remains on target for an incredible ninth success in the Betfair East Anglian Derby final courtesy of Ninja Jamie, with the maestro's haul dating way back to Swift Band's win in 1981!

Winner of the Derby Plate and Summer Festival 480 in the space of less than a fortnight back in early summer, Ninja Jamie remains lightly raced with just sixteen races, which also includes a runners up spot in last month's Select Stakes.

His slow starts in the event have been well touted, although another sluggish exit in the semi-final was not enough to stop him romping to a six length victory, albeit Cobra Striking's middle moving antics at the first turn certainly helped his cause. Whether he will enjoy such good fortune in the final remains to be seen, and the presence of Movealong Blue on his immediate right could cause some early problems if Paul Philpott's East Anglian Challenge winner traps in his best style.

Realistically however if he gets clear Ninja Jamie should win, but for those playing the race as a one off main danger Droopys Carvalho hass more appeal at the current mark of [3.75]. John Mullins' runner will undoubtedly need some luck in running given his off the pace style, but there's every chance the race could be run to suit those tactics which served him successfully in both quarter and semi-final, and I anticipate a bold show from the Sussex Cup winner who has won seven of his last ten outings.

Whatever Mullins fate in the big race I expect him to be on the score sheet with Blonde Fern in the Puppy race at 8.15. Amazingly still not two until next month, she has already won the Puppy Collar and Yorkshire Oaks, both at Sheffield, and was fancied to go close in the Gymcrack final, where she was unfortunately knocked over early on. While disappointing in her first run back in an East Anglian Derby heat, she gave the hint she's back to her best with a devastating display over CD last Thursday, and can take full advantage of an excellent draw outside middle runner Freaky Cole, who was amongst her defeated rivals in that race.

I just fancy Lenson Express to get the better of Mottos Star in the Invitation at 8.50, with Tony Collett's Sunderland Classic winner sure to appreciate his near fence draw. The sharp railer did well to overcome a tough trap five slot in the first round of the East Anglian Derby, before being eliminated from the same box in the quarter-finals, and his all round pace can secure him the prize.

Mottos Star is an extremely classy sort on his day, but the Gymcrack winner ran poorly the other night and can be taken on, especially with Judicial Ace likely to be bearing down on him from traps rise.

Elsewhere for short odds players, Lenson Joker looks a 'gimme' for win eleven after dipping inside the 659m track record in last week's trial (9.10), while Bubbly Kate should have too much class in the marathon at 8.35. The sprint (8.0) however looks too tough with Cagey Jeff and Boherduff Monti extremely closely matched.