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Peterborough Greyhound Betting: Sky-televised Puppy Final preview

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Darrell WIlliams runs through the odds for Tuesday night's live Sky action

Sky Sports provides a small distraction from the Derby - which continues with the third round on Saturday - with eight live races from Peterborough this evening, the feature of which is the Peterborough Puppy Derby final.

With most of the field, as their status as puppies would suggest, lightly raced, there's always the possibility of a surprise. Equally, puppies can suddenly hit form with a vengeance, which is the angle I'm using in selecting Droopys Marcus.

While unconsidered for outright honours even before last week's semi-final, Seamus Cahill's youngster gave a big hint in that race that he had suddenly got the hang of what's required. He sauntered home in a time nearly eight lengths faster than in his heat the previous weekend and comfortably the quickest in the event so far. Admittedly he enjoyed a clear run in that race, but that was hardly surprising given a very fast 3.68 sectional, and if he can get even close to that start he will take the beating. His status as the sole wide seed, with neighbour Glenroe Ginger expected to cut in, can only be a help, and with just six runs under his belt the selection is certainly open to improvement.

Me Buddy, ante post favourite, has done nothing wrong with wins in both rounds, and did particularly well to overcome an unfavourable trap six berth last time. But with the equally unbeaten He's A Mystery, who is chasing a five timer, a potent early pace threat next door, Matt Dartnall's runner will need to be on his toes if he's to gain a clear passage early on.

All of which makes Droopys Marcus the most appealing choice.

On the supporting card, Kylegrove Top, a dual Scottish Derby finalist, makes most appeal with a step up to six bends in the novice stayers' race at 8.50. Although disappointing on his only previous venture over this kind of trip at Monmore last winter, it's long been thought that Julie Bateson's runner would benefit from the extra distance and he appears to have been found a relatively easy opportunity.

Genesis Dream has been in excellent form for some time now, winning nine of her last 11 outings, but might be worth taking on drawn out in trap four in the stayers' race at 9.10. Peterborough Cesarewitch winner Cuil Magic has only just returned to the card, which throws the vote the way of Ballymac Rita. Runner-up in last year's Puppy Classic, she clocked a fast time over CD last autumn, and has been running with distinction for some time now.

Noirs Ted can make up for a recent short odds failure by claiming the Seniors race (8.15). It's always worth paying close attention when useful Open racers reach four years of age and thus become eligible for these races, and Seamus Cahill's charge a May 2004 whelp looks a useful recruit and can prove too classy.

Cahill can initiate a good night by taking the bitches' race (7.40) with Droopys Oi Oi, an early elimination in the Puppy Derby, but whose chance is boosted by a win at home track Walthamstow last week. She should have too much ammunition early on for her rivals.