“There are dogs in the final that can do the same times as him; possibly both of my other two included. But that trap draw makes 4-6 a realistic price.”
The Gold Collar can be seen at the centre of this trophy sponsored by bookmaker John Humphreys. pic Steve Nash
It is 8-1 bar two of the three Janssens runners with the kennel’s third string a 10-1 chance to land one of the most historic events in the racing calendar, the Ladbrokes Gold Collar.
Like the recent Cesarewitch which varied between being the toughest four bend event in the racing year to a full blown marathon, the Gold Collar has been staged over various distances but is perhaps most associated with the six bends at Catford (1963-2003).
In fact, if you were looking for the closest possible match for the event, you would struggle to better the Crayford 540m course.
The 4-6 chance fancied to win this year’s first prize is a dog contesting the 80th race of his career and seeking win 37 – Desperado Dan.
The interesting thing is, last autumn, Dan hit a dodgy patch winning just three of twelve opens and there were questions whether the 2019 Coronation Cup winner was a spent force. But his trainer never doubted him.
He said: “He just struggled a bit when Romford switched sides. He was so consistent from the old traps but kept missing his break from the opposite side. Overall, he has had a magnificent career.
“He isn’t a flash dog who does fantastic times but he has won between 480 and 630 metres at Crayford, Romford, Monmore, Hove, Central Park and even won a couple of the rounds of the Derby at Nottingham.
“He is running as well as ever at the moment and trapping better than ever, considering he will be four in January. I think the draw is made for him. Seaglass Smokey will definitely turn right at the traps and provided Dan isn’t left flat footed at the start, he should get a fantastic run on the rails.
“If he doesn’t get it right, Seaglass Smokey is well capable of producing a time, as is View King, who did 33.70 first look. And I’m not ruling out the others either. You know at Crayford, if you can slip the field, it is a very hard track for dogs to come from behind.”
Betting: 4-6 Desperado Dan, 5-1 Seaglass Smokey, 8-1 Druids So Bright, 10-1 View King, 16-1 Maysthistlecrack, 25-1 Ballynabee Jet
