DERBY FINAL CARD

All to play for coming to the Derby Final.

Okay, that’s definitely a lie.

The 11 also-rans will need Harry Potter and Nostradamus on side to turn over a tipping genius of the magnitude of Rob Crawford.

Others will settle for breaking even, though there are a humiliated and dispirited group at the bottom with individual debts that could set off another global recession.

Nathan Corden

Well with Rob so far in front we all have to go for broke this Saturday.
Tasty Treat (R2 T2) a little bet on this one based on Sods Law. I’ve come under some criticism for him being in the line up and with Julie Bateson winning a sprint on Derby final night last year … who knows! £10 win
I was originally going for a double including Antigua Bruiser but following his withdrawal, I am drafting in his kennelmate Avastorm (R6 T3) and Catunda Logan (R10 T4)
Logan has been consistent with his trapping so I can see him leading at the first bend and then it will be a case of him holding off the others where there will be some strong runners £90 double

Rob Crawford

Wow, well that was quick! (and that is not the first time that I have heard that), but it only seems like 5 minutes ago that I was cajoled into joining the Derby Tipster Challenge and now we are on the verge of the final. Will the spoils be traveling across the Irish Sea or going down to the south coast?

In years to come The 2020 Greyhound Derby will be remembered and in my opinion for the right reasons! It will be remembered for the Irish trainers who supported the event, it will be remembered for being run in October, but more importantly it will be remembered for the quality of the field! I was chatting to a friend earlier and we struggled to remember last years winner. He knew that it was in trap 3 and I knew it was trained by Paul Hennessy, even when he told me Priceless Blake had won I still struggled to remember, and we were there on the night! (I might have been queuing for a drink at the time!!)

I have studied the card and for me there are a number of standout runners, but 2 of them are also good bets and these will form my selections.

Firstly in the Derby Plate Pat Buckley’s Doolin Duke (R10 T5), he found all sorts of trouble in the second round of the Derby, but has steadily bounced back to form through The Plate, with a very impressive run in last weeks semi-final. Hopefully he can control the outside of the track and then dominate.

Secondly into the big one, The Derby itself, I think that the race is won by the dog that clears the first bend in front and through my deliberations I keep coming back to Richard Rees’s Southwood Jet (R11 T1), hasn’t put a paw wrong in all of the rounds of the Derby, I am hoping this will continue for another 29 or so seconds. This selection isn’t just a practical one, but there is a little bit of sentiment in there as well! To emulate your Father is no mean feat, but to also do what his Father did before him would be simply phenomenal. £100 double.

Paul Gebhard

Sparta Master (R8 T2) I’m taking a punt that he is in front at the sectional point, if he is in a clean contest it should be a very informative race for the upcoming St. Leger

Southwood Jet (R11 T1) as well as fast this dog appears to be strong and determined, if he leads then for me he definitely wins, but even if he breaks only level I can see him toughing it out and bullying his way through. £80 win £20 double

Peter Harnden

Tenpin (R1 T2) Swift Taxman (R2 T1) Riverside Honey (R12 T5) It’s quite a straight forward deal – I’ve suddenly realised we need to pick winners  £100 treble

Patrick Janssens

Bramble Reggie (R7 T3) I think they are both well drawn and both should lead and win

Knocknaboul Syd (R9 T2) hopefully conditions this week will suit him better £100 double

Rab McNair

I’m going to have two bets as usual looking at the Derby love to see Southwood Jet winning – I should have picked him last week – but going for the Wolfe (R11 T4) to get the run to the bend £40 win

King Drake (R2 T6) has got his box and ran the track well first look so £40 win and £20 double and that’s that for this year’s Derby

David Mitchell

Deerjet Sydney (R11 T2) I’ve deliberated over this all week and I’m sure like most you’ve ran this race through your mind at least a dozen times. I have a special place for Southwood Jet in one and my heart would point to that dog but I have to go with my head and say Deerjet Sydney. I’ve watched his race back from last week and I’ve still no idea how this dog managed to finish where he did. The draw this week is far better for him and with Valor in three holding straight to the turn that dog should keep Wolfe and Smurfs Machine out of this argument. The fly in the ointment is the one dog for me and it could turn into an all out battle for the bend but I just think Sydney will just have too much.

Aayamza Royale (R12 T3) Cesarewitch Winner takes on her old foe in Mick’s Little Gem and it looks a straight shootout between the pair again. I’m taking Royale for this one as I believe the Nottingham gallop will suit her strengths over this trip. All she needs to do is keep tabs on them and weave a passage through, its far easier here than a Crayford or Romford. If she can get a target on leaders back as they turn for home surely the writing will be on the wall. £100 double

Steve Nash

Coolavanny Bani (R4 T2) eliminated from the Derby at the second round stage behind Southwood Jet, returns here following a good trial at Perry Barr beating Levante Beach. Draw nearer the fence with trap 3 keeping middle should help her enjoy a clearer run this time.

Acomb Jenny (R5 T5) carried over her Newcastle form with a good win last week and may well improve on that first look. Kevin Ferguson was confident she’d go well despite the lack of trial and was proven correct. Litter brother Acomb Winston caught 5/1 tip Agincourt Xena close home in the heats and might even be considered to provide a family forecast. However given my form during this competition that would quite rightly be considered pushing it.

Southwood Jet (R11 T1) I’ve seen so many surprises in Derby finals I’d normally pass this over for strong betting purposes but given the name of this tipping challenge I’d be called a lightweight if I swerve it. It really is wide open in my opinion. I’d love the favourite to win – if he avoids the rails loving two dog early he’ll take some holding – but Richard Rees’ blue is pretty short, given the class of his rivals. Wolfe has been in superb form for a dog approaching his fourth birthday, and the ‘outsiders’ could all be called “value” alternatives. But he did me a much-needed favour last week so the call has to be Southwood Jet to remain unbeaten and add another family winner to the trophy after Mutts Silver (’76) and Pagan Swallow (’85). £25 Trixie

Mark Pierrepont

Pat Rosney

Roxholme Kristof (R8 T5) Unbelievable run last week with a vacant box inside him must be banker material

Southwood Jet (R11 T1) Been the most consistent performer in the Derby this year for me with one of his normal starts I think he’ll lead and once on the bunny will be very hard to beat
Good luck to all the finalists and enjoy the occasion as best you can under the circumstances

Knocknaboul Syd (R9 T2) A late replacement in the treble for the withdrawn Antigua Bruiser £100 treble

Mark Wallis

After a bright start it’s been a one way slide down hill on the tipping front though we did come close to landing a nice double last week, I’m going to try something similar again and as much as I would love to see either Southwood Jet or Smurfs Machine win the Derby for the UK my head is telling me that it’s an Irish winner this year and of the four I fancy Wolfe (R11 T4) who can lead by the third bend and score for Graham Holland

I have to find one of our runners to put in and we will be treated to a cracking Dorando to finish the extravaganza off and I’m more than hopeful Aayamza Royale (R12 T3) can follow up her Cesarewitch victory up with a win in what is likely to be a tough stamina test. £100 double

Jimmy Wright

Avastorm (R6 T3) Good start make corner and make all. £30 win
Riverside Honey (R12 T5) unlucky last year go one better this year after promising come back run.  £30 win £40 double