Greyhound Betting: Will Barney be walking On Air on-sea?

Sky Previews / Darrell Williams / 17 July 2008 / Leave a Comment

Despite Derby failure, it would take a brave man to write off Barney for the Sussex Cup, says Darell Williams.

Hove must be delighted with the high quality turnout for the Sussex Cup, which begins at the seaside track this evening. Headed by defending champion and track record holder Barnfield On Air, the field also includes last winter's other ante post Derby betting rival Ballymac Under, plus recent Sunderland Classic winner Lenson Express, and that's to name just three!

While things didn't pan out as the talking might have suggested for Barnfield On Air

Ballymac Under doesn't quite have to prove himself again, but that sequence of nine successive wins does seem a long time ago now, and with three subsequent defeats, including a first round exit in the Derby - he hasn't raced since - means he needs to start producing the big performances again.

A first round draw against a class field including Iceman Vader, Full Bloom and Annual Scholes is enough for me to resist him ante post at rather prohibitive odds.

Lenson Express could hardly be in better form after his easy win in the Classic final at Sunderland, and his win at Hove over Easter is certainly enough to make him a candidate, but again the price is just short enough not to tempt me in.

Instead, I'll risk a little bit on Shaneboy Luke, who could hardly be running Hove any better after clocking the three best times this year, and all since the beginning of the month. Admittedly, none of them (quite) match even 'Barney's' fourth best performance of last season, but Liz Mc Nair's youngster is still open to improvement after only seven starts in this country. His draw against Barnfield On Air in the first round, and more so from an unfamiliar trap five slot is a concern, but his early pace should ensure he comfortably qualifies.

At a slightly bigger price, I'm also including Farloe Batman as my third pick. At first glance he looks drawn in the toughest heat, but both Spears Tarquynn, out of form recently, and Barnfield Leo, just one win in his last 18 starts, are easy to resist, while Ballymac Ruso, off since April, might just need this. The selection who reached the Derby third round is himself unraced since late May, but has posted a number of highly encouraging recent trials.