Wimbledon Racing / Darrell Williams / 28 September 2007 / Leave a comment

Darrell Williams looks ahead to the William Hill St Leger

The William Hill St Leger, the most important six bend competition of the year, starts at Wimbledon on Saturday 13th October, with the all important final scheduled for Tuesday 30th October live on Sky Sports. Last year's final was an absolute thriller with Ninja Blue denying Westmead Olivia by a short-head with Blissful Classic just a stone's throw away in third. While this column will follow the action throughout, I couldn't resist trying to eek out some early value. Foulden Special, who personally did me a big favour when winning the Grand Prix at Walthamstow in last gasp fashion, looks sure to figure again as a major player. It was his run over the slightly longer 688m trip back in the spring - the Leger is staged over the more conventional six bend trip of 668m - that first put him down as a dog for a big competition, and given his current winning sequence, he would have to be the most likely winner at this stage. Slightly further down the betting Cuil Magic, whom trainer David Pruhs has already confirmed as a definite runner, is another I'd be interested in at this stage. Pruhs, while something of an infrequent visitor to Wimbledon, sent out Cuil Magic to win on Derby final night over the Leger trip, recording 4102, the fastest time recorded this year. Given a sequence which has seen him win 13 of his last 18 outings, he is a must for any Leger portfolio. While the local runners do look up against it, you could do worse than have a small wager on Phil Rees' Gandisranger, definitely the best of the Wimbledon contingent, and capable of 4120 at his best. An early paced sort, he has dominated the local six bend scene since moving up in trip in July and at over 100/1 on Betfair looks an excellent candidate for back to lay players as he could easily make it through a couple of rounds.

Gandisranger's biggest rival to his local six bend crown is probably Did She, trained by Norah Mc Ellistrim, who returned to the extended trip with a win over Anarkee last Friday, and I'd be surprised if the form isn't upheld seven days in the feature S1 at 10.15. While the grader has not made it easy for our pick with two quick starters drawn on her inside, I'd still fancy her to sit handy from the start. Puppy Pigalle Lady, who looks a nice prospect after a first win over the trip last weekend, could prove the one for forecast players.

On Saturday, Coolagorna Furyk could be drawn to claim the weekend's other S1 race (10.15). John Simpon's runner should enjoy a clear run throughout, something that the more fancied Shes Got It probably won't, given that she faces a fierce battle for early supremacy down the inside. I was half tempted by Well Park Lady in trap one, but it's been a long time since she won a race and given her need to lead, she's easily resisted. Banter can capture a moderate A1 (10.0) after running well against better top grades dogs than she meets here. Capable of dipping under the 2800 mark, she looks well treated against mainly out of form rivals and can reward her supporters.

Tags: Darrell Williams, greyhound racing, wimbledon