Rab McNair’s assessment of the 2022 Essex Vase betting market is at some odds with the layers who see the kennel’s Warzone Tom as anything between a 7-2 (Bresbet) and 9-2 (Coral) ante post favourite.
He said: “They could be right. If I was a bookie I would probably go skint, but I just don’t see the competition as they do. There are a lot of the dogs at the top of the market, including Tom and Angela’s two (Coolavannys Bani & Aunty) who are way too short. In my view it is at least 8-1 the field.”
Given the essence of betting is based on opinions, that would surely mean that there is better value among the bigger priced dogs.
Rab says: “I have no doubt. Take John’s dog (Gymstar Elusive) who gave Tom a running lesson for 500 metres in the Gold Collar Final. If Tom doesn’t get a clear run at the first bend, he never catches him. So how is John’s dog a 28-1 chance? Romford is a front runners’ track too.
“What about Dan Brabon’s bitch Ragtime Storm? I’ve watched her a lot and she is very decent but she is 28-1. She is way better than that in my view. Sparta Master has been a great dog, but is heading to his fifth birthday and should be much bigger.
“If I had to pick one more who I think is way overpriced it would probably be Freeky Pumbaa (33-1). I don’t know how well he will run Romford, but I’ve watched him at Hove and he is a fast greyhound. If Friday night’s heat was over 500m at Hove he would probably be joint favourite”
Bresbet’s Carl Perry said: “The thought with the traders is that Warzone Tom is very much the ones to beat. His course form is excellent and if coming away like he can, he is so hard to beat over this distance.
“You always respect any time that Angela makes the trip from Newcastle and she has two big chance in there with her ‘Coolavanny’ pair Aunty and Bani. The one that’s probably a lot shorter than some might expect is recent maiden winner Dapper Rodney. We was very impressed with the style off that win and if repeating that run, he puts himself in the mix.”
Bresbet ante post prices
