Greyhound racing betting: Tuesday's evening card from Manchester

Sky Previews / Darrell Williams / 30 June 2008 / Leave a Comment

Belle Vue in Manchester is the venue for Sky Sports live coverage on Tuesday evening, which features the final of the Cock O'The North over 670m.

Ballymac Weeshie looked a potential good thing after trouncing his rivals in his first round heat, but was brought back down to earth when Vatican Fyne took full advantage of first bend trouble for the favourite in last weeks semi-finals. All of which means Sam Poots' runner will go to the traps a far more backable price than if he had won that race. With a slow starter on his inside in the shape of Westmead Frisky, it's likely that 'Weeshie' will be able to utilise his early pace to get first run, which would make him a warm order to capture the prize, which I ultimately expect him to do. Pat Rosney, trainer of Vatican Fyne, has qualified three, with Westmead Frisky and the dog that beat him in the semis Vatican Crieff giving him a strong hand.

It's 'Crieff' who interests me most; the only unbeaten finalist, he has only just arrived from Ireland, and having run second in a 750 yard at Cork in May has no stamina doubts. He's certainly one to back in markets without the favourite, or indeed for the forecast, and for those looking for a spot of value, it's not impossible he'll give the jolly a run for his money.

The supporting card looks good, with Barnfield on Air, unraced since disappointing on Derby final night, making his reappearance in the feature four bend race at [9.25]. Holder of the track record, when scorching home in 2720 in the Laurels semi-finals last autumn - he was eventually beaten from a bad draw in the final - he's sure to prove popular. However, this might be the time to take him on, and in Slick Swainy we have a rival that's at the top of his game. A dual winner here, both in decent times, of his only two races since leaving Ireland - he had run second in a Shelbourne final last September - but had been off since February and can improve again.

Baliff Brian, better known as Westmead Kewell, can capture the [9.10] over 590m for Ian Aylward. Although drawn wide than ideal in trap four, he ran well to land a race over CD in early May, and while Barnfield Loretto should be suited to the extra 50m after a runaway win at Crayford, the selection has the local form in the book.

Cortsway Giants, unlucky not to land us a nice tip at Doncaster last week, can gain his revenge on Sibsey Showtime for Ron Nelson in the [8.0] at a track where he has won his last three races over the 470m trip. Earlier, Killough Belles, arguably the bitch of the moment, can make up for her defeat in the Northern Oaks final here last month, by completing a Sky hat-trick, after wins at Perry Barr and Doncaster, in the 7.40.

The hurdles race at 8.15 looks wide open and I rather lay Nevada Blue than try to predict the winner. Despite running second in the Champion Hurdle, the local hope hasn't won in 13 starts and looks one to take on again.