Greyhounds Betting: Best of amazing year yet to come

Sky Previews / Darrell Williams / 11 November 2008 / Leave a comment

Dotland Hit Man can mount a serious challenge to the Greyhound of the Year contender and Eye on the Brave has picked up the winning of habit of late. But for Darrell Williams it's Barry Williams' dog who remains the best bet for the All England Cup.

Boherna Best will fire himself into contention for the Greyhound of the Year title if he can win the All England Cup at Newcastle, the final of which headlines Sky Sport's live eight race card on Wednesday evening. Already the winner of the Monmore Gold Cup and Laurels, Barry Draper's runner has had an amazing year, winning ten of his thirteen races to date, with remarkably all of his starts having come in competitions.

Victory for the Rotherham based greyhound will also take this column's record of consecutive ante post winning selections to four after recommending the selection at odds of [6.0] before the first round. After victories in both heat and semi-final, Boherna Best is an easy trade out for those who played early on, and while I still believe he's the dog to beat, it might not be all plain sailing given the presence of Dotland Hit Man in the line up.

Andrew Bell's runner found all the trouble going yet was still only beaten a head in the heats, before showing what he is capable of with an impressive trap to line win in the semi-final. On the clock, the Scottish Derby semi-finalist has every chance of giving Boherna Best a run for his money, although a draw in four for the wide runner won't make things easy.

Eye Onthe Brave had to come through a run off to earn his place in the final, all of which gives this column a second finalist, and Mark Wallis' runner is no bad option to have on your side as the only railer. He's also learnt the art of winning races, with three wins in four starts - albeit the latest one came in a two dog race - after registering just one win in his first twenty outings! For those yet to play, I still believe Boherna Best will come out on top.

It's good to see TV Trophy winner Flying Winner back in the marathon (9.25), especially as it means we can hopefully get a fair price about rival Laverick Limmo. The subject of a gamble when winning in front of Sky cameras at Sunderland last month, the property of octogenarian Owner/Trainer Billy Fenwick senior remains unexposed - that was his first start over a marathon distance - and his six bend trial at Newcastle suggests he could give Chris Lund's bitch a run for her money.

I keep getting Carbarns Tom wrong; watching her scoot up at Wimbledon on Leger final night was painful, but I fancy her strongly for the 706m race on the card (8.35). With in-form Greedy Bridie also in the field, I'm hoping Charlie Lister's bitch - who reached the Leger semis - won't be too short, but with the benefit of a 'look round' the other day, I make her my bet of the night.

Centurion Rus ran well when eliminated in the All England Cup semi-final and will appreciate the return to puppy company (8.15) and the recent Hove and Romford (575m) winner might just have too much class for his rivals.

I also like Mountjoy Gold, winner of four of his last five starts, and whose inside draw might just prove decisive in an early paced battle for the 8.50, while the 9.10, as terrific a race as it is, just looks too difficult. I was tempted to side with Lochbo Meg, but Fear Haribo has been flying in vets races, while Pond Astronaut loves this track, and could be well placed to pick up the pacemakers.