Greyhound Betting: An item of interest at a big price

Sky Previews / Darrell Williams / 03 November 2008 / Leave a Comment

Darrell Williams reckons a local grader might be worth a look at the right price in the Ladies Trophy final at Nottingham. Meanwhile, Mr Lister continues to build a strong team with this month's Eclipse in mind...

Nottingham provides some good fare this evening with trial stakes for the forthcoming Eclipse supporting the Ladies Trophy final - and for those near a betting shop most of the action is live on SIS.

The Ladies Trophy (9.22) looks decidedly tricky with cases to be argued for most of the runners. However local hope Torrent Item might just have been under-estimated despite clocking by far the quickest time in the heats last week. Lightly raced, she has only recently returned from a five month absence, and has only seen the track seven times in total this year. However it's hard to knock her latest performance and while it's never easy for a local grader taking on classy Open racers, she might just be worth an interest if the price is right. I'd be looking for [5.0] or bigger ideally.

Ballymac Rita, on the back of a three length beating by the selection last week, rates the biggest danger if she can get loose from a tricky trap five berth. It's worth remembering however that this is an all railers affair with trap six Hackney Carriage also looking for a move inside. Frisby Foxwatch again found this track difficult to run in the heats, going down to Westmead Zest - also badly drawn - and in a moderate time.

The Eclipse, which this year will feature on Sky Sports - the final is on Thursday 20th November - creeps closer via further trial stakes this evening. Charlie Lister looks to be building a strong team with local specialist Farloe Merlin sure to be a major candidate. The youngster - he only turned two last month - went unbeaten through the Puppy Classic over CD back in August and has won eight of his last nine over the 500m trip. While he had to work a bit harder for his latest win, it's hard to see him getting beaten even if Giddyup Boy, the obvious danger, runs up to his best. Barnfield Slippy should be a safe lay in the same race.

Lister's Select Stakes runner-up Ninja Jamie has been clocking some very fast sprint times at the track in recent weeks and the impressive East Anglian Derby winner should win the 8.36. However, I'd be far from willing to take too short a price given his less than ideal trap four draw, especially with the early pace of both Naughty Nod and Bawnfune Mal on his left, and would probably only play at [2.0] or bigger.

Blonde Dino has failed to recapture his Steel City Cup form since moving from John Mullins and is one to take on.

Scurry champion Boherbradda Mac has not been out of the first two in his last twenty one races, which includes an incredible 16 wins, and should have few problems in the sprint at 8.04. Harry Williams' runner has twice won over the CD in recent weeks and with main rival Farloe Ferdinand unraced since September, and without local experience, the selection looks extremely solid.