Sky Dogs Betting Preview: Jake and Kyla offer Betfair Arc value

Sky Previews / Darrell Williams / 01 February 2010 / Leave a Comment

"If there is to be an upset, it’s most likely to come from either Gilbeyhall Jake, who won 3/6 when drawn in trap one in Ireland, and in theory has only a couple of lengths to find with the favourite on first round form, or perhaps the well drawn Klockwork Kyla, who is more than capable of a flyer as she showed in the first two rounds"

Swindon provides the venue for Sky Sports live coverage of the Betfair Arc final on Tuesday evening, with many believing favourite Westmead Osprey is as good as home and hosed - but with a tricky draw, there might be value elsewhere.

Westmead Osprey, Nick Savva's 2008 Swindon Produce winner, has had relatively little racing in the past eighteen months, enduring two lengthy absences from the track, but with a record of seven wins from seven starts, Swindon undoubtedly brings out the best in him.

Had he been drawn in trap one it's hard to imagine how short his price might have been, but while he should still break sharply from trap two, he faces the prospect of having to clear both Gilbeyhall Jake, who seems to trap quicker when closer to the inside, and hold off Farloe Titan, who will be making an immediate bee line for the fence.

While I have my doubts as to whether Farloe Titan will be so effective from trap three - like Westmead Osprey he has had trap one in the three previous rounds - Paul Sallis' runner remains open to further improvement as this competition saw his first competitive action since October.

If there is to be an upset, it's most likely to come from either Gilbeyhall Jake, who won 3/6 when drawn in trap one in Ireland, and in theory has only a couple of lengths to find with the favourite on first round form, or perhaps the well drawn Klockwork Kyla, who is more than capable of a flyer as she showed in the first two rounds. Those who followed my advice to back her before the semi-finals should at least be a point or two ahead of the game.

Personally though, I feel there are better bets to be had in the supporting races.

Jimmy Lollie, fresh from his Sprinter of the Year crown, pays just a second visit to Swindon, having broken the 285m track record on his previous look. Seamus Cahill's prolific winner is worth staying with in the 2035, where he holds rival King Lee on National Sprint final form.

Birchfield Hero makes appeal at potentially decent odds in the 480m contest at 2015. One of three Arc semi-finalists in the line up, Paul Sallis' runner has had only three runs back following a recent absence, but must hold every chance of grabbing an early lead, particularly with middle seed Anzio drawn in trap two. Magna Flintoff trialled well the other day, but has beaten only one dog in his last five competitive starts and can be opposed.

Wise Maldini has won three of his four previous races over the 737m trip and it's hard not to see him go in again in the 2000, although oddly enough it's his draw in trap one that worries me most as he has lost his last nine races when clad in red. Those looking for an alternative are directed to Heres Shannon, the recent Boxing Day Marathon runner-up.

Burwood Freddie could be under-estimated in the 2050 as he hails from a relatively unknown yard, but he's posted a brace of recent 2870 runs for the 480m trip, where his overall record reads 5 wins from 8 starts.

Selections:
Birchfield Hero 1 pt win @ [6.0] 2015
Jimmy Lollie 1 pt win @ [2.5] 2035
Burwood Freddie 1 pt win @ [5.0] 2050