Laurels Night Preview: Draper's strength suggests it could be curtains for the opposition

Sky Previews / Darrell Williams / 07 October 2008 / 1 Comments

Darrell Williams on the odds for the top races ahead of tonight's Sky-televised greyhound action at Belle Vue.

Barry Draper might be playing down his chances in the Laurels final at Belle Vue - the feature of an eight race card live on Sky Sports on Tuesday evening - but in reality the South Yorkshire based handler has an excellent chance of capturing the prize.

For those who took this column's ante-post advice victory for Boherna Best, put forward as the main choice, would be very welcome, and while the betting suggests kennelmate Boherna On Air is a more likely winner I really don't believe there's much between them.

As the sole railer in the final 'BOA', who seems to excel in the red jacket anyway, is the clear betting choice, and with five wins in his last eight starts he's certainly in great shape. If he traps and makes full use of his inside draw he has a great chance, but Boherna Best and lightly-raced Prodigious are both capable of matching him at the break and it may be more competitive than the odds suggest.

From an ante-post viewpoint, I certainly wouldn't put you off trading out on Boherna Best, although I still firmly believe he's got every chance of pulling off the victory. A strike rate of ten wins from 14 outings is excellent, especially when you consider all his runs have been in competitions, including a victory in the Monmore Gold Cup, where Boherna On Air was amongst his victims. Given that he was off for a month between that competition and this one, Draper has done well to bring him back to the fore so quickly and if the betting is right, he's no bad second string to have on your side!

The rest of the card has an appealing look to it, with another Draper runner, Thai Girl, especially interesting as she steps back up to four bends in the 9.25. Unraced for three months until a recent sprint victory in Manchester, the selection's four bend record at the track is first class with four wins from six, and includes a brace of sub 28.00 times. A weekend win at Monmore suggests she should be spot on.

Jethart Jackie in the 8.15 is another that will have my cash after running well behind Farloe Reason in the first round of the Laurels. Although eventually well beaten, he showed plenty of early pace that night and I fancy him to get on the hare again here at a track where he runs especially well - as third place in the Northern Flat also verifies. If there is a worry it's a strike rate of just two wins from his last 21 starts. As for the dangers in the race I'm not convinced this is Perrys Corelone's best track, while Magna Dave is another who often finds trouble here.

I'm also with Mancini in the first Sky race at 7.40. While admittedly he's not back to his mid-summer form which included a couple of fast runs over this 470m trip, his early pace should nevertheless set things up for Ted Soppitt's charge.

Later, Mako Magic can also utilise his early dash to win a decent looking four-bend heat at 8.50. The course specialist will need to hold useful sprinter Tyrur Hestor early doors, but is quick enough to do so, while Yarmouth Derby runner-up Movealong Blue, no slouch either, is without a win in six starts.

The hurdles race (8.35) is up for grabs, but a run of 26 without a win makes Beardys Harry an ideal candidate to take on.

Comments (1)

1. Ken | 07 October 2008

   Good luck Darrell, Prodigious in the big one for me, 6/1 looks too big.

   Cheers