Perry Barr Betting: Plenty to get excited about on Birmingham Cup night

Sky Previews / Darrell Williams / 21 January 2009 / Leave a comment

Darrell Williams previews the Sky-televised action from Perry Barr, where Fear Zafonic heads the betting in the Birmingham Cup.

Take a bow Perry Barr as the Birmingham track stages one of the most exciting Sky Sports cards for sometime, with the clash of the Marathon giants, Flying Winner and Midway Skipper - both up for three honours at Sunday's GBGB Awards ceremony - the perfect aperitif to an enthralling Birmingham Cup final.

Fear Zafonic, confidently tipped up in this column before the first round, remains the dog to beat in the big one, although he faces a red hot field including kennelmate Affleck Elite, who nailed him on the line in the first round.

There's a fair argument for those who played ante-post to lay him off and take the profit. However, if he shows the pace up he did in the semi-final, I'd expect him to get to the bend in front, after which he'd take some stopping, although there's certainly little margin for error.

The red-jacketed Goldcrest King, one of three finalists for Champion trainer Mark Wallis, may be marginally slower to the turn but will battle to hold his position. Kennelmate Mountjoy Gold, also recommended ante-post, has enough initial speed to lead them both, although he's likely to keep a straight path from trap three, and may have to fend off another Wallis' runner Directors Ruler edging inwards early doors.

The strong running Shaneboy Luke, could be well drawn in six, although was no match for Zafonic in the semis. That leaves Lister's second string, Affleck Elite, who while not perhaps ideally drawn out in trap five, remains over-priced and is worthy of a small saver.

Greyhound of the Year candidate Flying Winner has her first start since winning the 'Ted Hegarty' by 17 lengths at Harold Cross a month ago in a high class marathon at 9.25, and for those often put off by her prohibitive odds, the presence of Crayford Boxing Day Marathon winner Midway Skipper will ensure a more competitive heat. The reasonably tight Perry Barr circuit should suit 'Skipper', but her best form is still over 700m, and I'd expect Chris Lund's bitch to pick her up.

For those who watched Sky's programme last week, it was hard not to be impressed by Mark Wallis' Kinda Ready, who ran a blinder to score in the opener, and can repeat the feat (7.40). After taking on his elders at Hall Green, he faces fellow puppies this time, and while useful Markland Marvel, who beat the selection at Coventry before Christmas, rates a threat, Kinda Ready looks a nice prospect and is one to follow.

The 'Super Stayers' at 8.15 is cracker, with fellow Hall Green winner Capel Wilson in great heart after four wins in his last six, and Prestige finalist Lorrys Options sure to appreciate the slight step up in trip. However, Swift Ninja is probably the best six-bend dog in training at present and despite the loss of trap six remains the one to beat. Chasing an eight timer, he is unbeaten in three tries over the CD, having set new figures this time last year.

The sprint (8.00) looks tough with National Sprint winner Horseshoe Ping, drawn inside Miss Lee, although I fancy David Pruhs' bitch might just beat him this time, while Killough Belles, a Birmingham Cup semi-finalist, gets the nod in a top class bitches race at 8.35. Her Perry Barr record reads well, and while it's not a race to have too strong a view in, she might just be able to run them down off the final bend.