Sky Previews / Darrell Williams / 22 September 2009 / Leave a comment

Darrell Williams talks us through the runners and the betting in the Sky-televised action at Yarmouth and the "under-the-radar" racing at Sheffield, both taking place this evening.

"Remarkably, the top six ante post have all made it to the final, which hopefully means plenty of ‘green books’ for backers, but I find it hard to look beyond Lister’s top pair, with Jordansoilutions, given his likely improvement, the preferred selection for those getting involved at this stage."

Yarmouth

There can be few races more dominated by one trainer than Charlie Lister in the Betfair East Anglian Derby as he fields no fewer than three finalists in an attempt to win the race for an incredible tenth time at Yarmouth this evening.

The action is captured live on Sky Sports, and while it was Lister's Farloe Reason that was originally put up by this column at the start of the event, it has been his latest sensation Jordansoilutions that has particularly caught the eye during the qualifying rounds. Lister, of course, also has the matter of a third runner in Derby second Fear Zafonic, although he has had to play second fiddle to Jordansoilutions in the previous two rounds and looks poorly drawn in trap three.

Remarkably, the top six ante post have all made it to the final, which hopefully means plenty of 'green books' for backers, but I find it hard to look beyond Lister's top pair, with Jordansoilutions, given his likely improvement, the preferred selection for those getting involved at this stage. While he 'missed the up' from trap one in the first round, that is easily forgivable as it was his first attempt over the trip, and his subsequent defeats of Fear Zafonic courtesy of some nippy trapping can give him the
all important early advantage.

Arguably Droopys Bogart, by virtue of his draw outside Glenroe Ginger, has the best make up, but his wide tendencies have cost him dearly in the event to date, while I actually think 'Ginger' will trap quicker from the outside, which might not do either any favours. For those looking for the big upset Eye Eye Pickle, hailing from the Mark Wallis camp, is probably over-priced given the trainer's phenomenal record in Category One finals this year. While he has plenty to find on the book, he is certainly no [42.0] shot.

The supporting card features plenty of short-priced favourites, but it's Me Buddy (8.0) that looks the best of them. Matt Dartnall's charge looked like he might go to the very top last year after major wins at Peterborough (twice) and Crayford, but problems have restricted his campaign this year. However he looks to be making up for lost time, finishing a close fourth to Jimmy Lollie in last week's sprint final over this 277m trip, having beaten the same rival in the heats, and yet he somehow finds himself in division two of the sprint tonight. Don't miss this one.

It will be a huge shock if Seamus Cahill doesn't walk off with something tonight as he has major chances with the aforementioned Jimmy Lollie (9.10) and even more so Raving Black (8.35), but it's kennelmate Carden Bert (9.25) that I particularly fancy. The recent Kent Derby runner-up was desperately unlucky not to qualify for the East Anglian Derby final itself, but can gain compensation in the Invitation race where he looks perfectly drawn as the lone wide seed. The absence of Classic winner Jogadusc Ace is an added bonus.

Sheffield

While the Sky cameras concentrate on Yarmouth, punters should not forget there's also an excellent card at Sheffield, featuring the heats of the Ebor (720m) plus the semi-finals of the Puppy Silver Collar - with all the action in your local betting office.

The first heat of the Ebor (7.27) sees the welcome return of Michael Harris' Swift Ninja, who has been off the track since April, but if his recent trials around Monmore are anything to go by, he looks ready to bounce back first time with a victory. While in-form rival Run Of The Hawk will understandably have his supporters, Swift Ninja has yet to taste defeat in four previous attempts over this specialist trip and if you can secure [2.2] or bigger it's definitely worth taking.

Droopys Joaquin could have done with a draw slightly closer to the fence in his Puppy Collar semi-final (8.31), but with a trio of off the pace sorts on his inside, Michael Walsh's youngster might not be badly treated. Fourth in the Puppy Classic final at Nottingham, he certainly has the class, as he proved when running away with his heat last week. I'm on the hunt for [2.8] or better.

The other semi-final (8.14) looks far more competitive, and it's easy to make cases for both Eye Onthe Flash and Loyal Rebel, but this might be the last chance to get a decent price about Slick Robert, who could hardly have made a bigger impact on his British debut in last week's heats when clocking the fastest time of the round. If you can hunt down anything around [3.5] or bigger, take it!

Tags: Charlie Lister, dog racing, greyhound betting, greyhound trainers