Greyhounds Betting: Gymcrack Final Preview

Sky Previews / Darrell Williams / 14 July 2008 / Leave a Comment

Darrell Williams believes the best may still be yet to come from Boherna Best but could Blonde Fern crash the Gymcrack party?

The puppies hold pride of place at Hall Green on Sky Sports on Tuesday evening with the Gymcrack final the feature of an eight race televised programme.

Before the semi-final, I firmly nailed my colours in support of Boherna Best, and after clocking the fastest time in that round, as he did in the heats, I see no reason to change my mind. Barrie Draper, who won this race with Farloe Hurricane last year, again has a decent sort on his hands, and given that he was unraced after finishing up in Ireland in May until this competition, we've probably yet to see the best of him. The biggest danger, as the betting suggests, must be Blonde Fern, a bitch who has already gained plenty of experience, finishing runner-up in Sheffield's Silver Collar, before competing admirably to beat her elders in the Yorkshire Oaks, albeit against only fairer sex rivals. Her draw outside the selection does concern me, and while the odds of John Mullins' bitch aren't great, I certainly wouldn't put you off a saver if you backed Boherna Best before the previous round.

Charlie Lister's Mottos Star warrants respect - when do Lister finalists not (!) - especially if he traps to the best of his ability, and remember he beat 'Fern' in the first round.
My pick of the supporting card is Directors Chair in the Stayers race (9.10). Mark Wallis' dog has won six of his last ten outings, but it's his Hall Green 645 m form that marks him down as the banker. Beaten in only one of those six CD starts, his haul includes the Midland Leger last December, and his two best performances have come when wearing the red jacket, as he does again here.

Iceman Brutus, an excellent competition dog, did nothing wrong when winning on his first race since reaching the Leger final last autumn, but given a far from perfect draw in the orange, can safely be taken on.

I also fancy Fear Haribo to continue his own comeback with another win in the 7.40. The former Scottish Derby winner has a great record at Hall Green having won the Gymcrack here in 2006, and maintains an unbeaten tally at the track after five starts. He looks on an upward curve after scoring at Belle Vue last week.

Elsewhere, I'm hoping Bubbly Kate can continue her own resurgence in the marathon (9.25). The former high class eight bend star, ran well in defeat at Sunderland, having reached the TV Trophy final, and looks good enough to register her first win since her return In the Super Stayers (8.35), I take Head Iton Paddy, another who ran well to finish second at the Northern Festival last week, and runner-up in the Queen Mother Cup to strike for Steve Race, while ever consistent Kildare Lark can make it three from three at Hall Green in the hurdles open (8.50), having beaten all of his rivals in recent starts.