Greyhound Betting: Scurry Gold Cup Preview

Sky Previews / Darrell Williams / 05 June 2008 / Leave a Comment

Darrell Williams gives his picks of tonight's heats

Things are looking good on the ante post market after Summer Stayers pick Pond Gallileo advanced his status as the one to beat ahead of Monday's semi-finals at Monmore, while Cesarewitch choice Lenson Joker is also the market pick for Tuesday's live Sky final after winning by far the toughest semi-final.

The non-stop Open race programme focuses on the sprinters tonight with the heats of the Scurry Gold Cup at Perry Barr, one of the best competitions in the two bend calendar.
Reigning champion Horseshoe Ping takes on 2007 runner-up Freight Train in undoubtedly the toughest of the six heats at [9.28], where useful Swift Sapphire awaits them. With three qualifiers they could, and should, all get through, but it's never normally that straight forward and of the trio I prefer Swift Sapphire - both tonight and outright - given his unenviable record this year. Pat Rosney's runner has already won 12 opens in 2008 and is on a run of four consecutive victories, which includes beating Freight Train at Nottingham recently. He's not been round Perry Barr so far, but I'm sure that's a deliberate ploy by Rosney and his draw in two inside four middle runners should offer few concerns. Freight Train won the sprint on Derby final night to confirm his own current status, and while Horseshoe Ping hasn't raced since contesting the Golden Sprint final in April; his trials suggest he is more than ready to do himself justice.

Given the ultra competitive nature of the above heat, and while I'm happy to include Swift Sapphire in my outright portfolio, I make Boherbradda Mac the number one choice ante post. Harry Williams' runner has had a memorable first half of the year with wins in eight of his ten races including setting new figures at Belle Vue. He has drawn a weak looking heat [8.38] and should have few problems on his first start since mid-April, especially given a fast trial at Newcastle last week when his calculated time was only just outside the track record. He rates a live player in what is obviously a competitive field.

For those who are looking for bigger prices I'd recommend a couple. It could be argued that Ready Star is something of a Romford specialist having won 5 of his 7 Open races this year at the Essex track, but given that it's Jim Reynolds home track he's had most of his racing there, and Horseshoe Ping's kennelmate, who's surely not just along for the ride, looks over-priced. Likewise Clydeview, runner-up to Westmead Lord in the recent Stud Book final at Monmore, is another back to lay proposition. Chris Allsopp's runner has a flashy sprint time at Monmore on his card and should safely negotiate his heat at [8.53] ahead of next week's semi-finals.