Springbok Finals Night Betting: Bomber and the Lover are chief rivals to Nebuchadnezzar

Sky Previews / Darrell Williams / 10 February 2009 / 1 Comments

Darrell Williams looks at the top races on Sky's Springbok card at Wimbledon tonight.

Wimbledon's Sky Sports cards can always be relied on to be red hot affairs, and Tuesday's Springbok programme is certainly no exception, even if most of the races take competitive to a new level.

Even the feature race, which on paper looks at the paws of Nebuchadnezzar, could in theory turn out to be far more open than the betting suggests.

Lorraine Sams' runner has long been touted as a potential Springbok winner, and were it not for his fall in a trial stakes last month, he would probably have been shorter going into the first round. If he gets loose, we know he's capable of a huge performance as judged by his smart efforts in both heat and semi-final and he goes into the £5000 final defending the competition's only unbeaten record. A trap one draw should further enhance his chances, but he's certainly no shoo-in to be in front at the first bend.

Bomber Bailey, put forward here at big odds before the first round, trapped far better the other night and will certainly be looking to force the issue at traps rise.

Love Lynx, who confirmed his suitability to a middle draw in the semis, is certainly fast enough, while strong-running Rocky Rocket, who picked up Bomber Bailey on the line in the semi-final, could look massively over-priced if the inside runners bunch up.

I've omitted to include Kilgraney Agassi, also tipped up in my ante-post preview, as he's twice now been picked up on the run in, but if he were to get to a flyer, he's certainly not out of it. So who wins? Well, probably Nebuchadnezzar, and I'd be reluctant to lay too much at [1.9], but I'm still happy to be on Bomber Bailey, and at [7.2] I'm even tempted to have a bit on Love Lynx.

Most of the other races as touched upon earlier look ultra competitive, but I just fancy Bubbly Totti (8.50) can bounce back first time after a layoff. Remember, before his exploits in the Leger, Ted Soppitt's charge reached the Derby quarter-final, and if his trials are to be heeded, he looks ready to make a major impact on his first start since the Essex Vase final in December. If nothing else he looks well drawn in a race with four sharp railers.

I also like Prestige winner Hawks Dilemma (9.10), who chased home Romeo Maldini in an ultra classy six bend race here on Oaks final night. Seamus Cahill's dog surprised plenty when cracking out to make all at Hall Green, but has won twice more at Hove since. It's certainly no easy task however with Lorrys Options, fourth in the Prestige, in excellent form himself, although I believe he might just edge left a little and so allow the selection plenty of racing room.

Kinda Ready can further enhance his progressive profile by claiming the puppy heat (8.0), where the 480m should be to his liking. The presence of Oaks third Droopys Quinta should help to make the market, and she certainly rates a serious danger given her preferred middle draw.

The hurdles race (7.40) is arguably the most competitive of all, with Winkys Don, Eye Onthe Flame and Bubbly Magic very closely matched on recent meetings, but I just fancy Supreme Hurdle winner Winkys Don might come out on top. Beaten by Eye Onthe Flame at Romford the other night, the return to trap one could just make the difference.