The night of the year and our latest punters challenge. There has been a terrific response to the Challenge and we are trying to keep as get as many punters involved as possible. Just one of the reasons for some more team changes.
Having let their team down, their profession down and not least of all, themselves down, Sam and Martin have passed the buck to yet another member of the Star Sports team, Glenn Day.
There is a switch on the owner’s bench too with Mike Rowe, who has a string of hounds in training in Britain and Ireland coming in as a replacement for Kevin Peresi.
Journalist and broadcaster Julie Collier made a magnificent debut on behalf of the under performing media team with three winning tips. Tonight she attempts to play up her win.
Last but not least, we decided to give Seamus Cahill a night off – apparently he has a lot on his mind today! So we have a first appearance from the champion trainer Mark Wallis whose reputation as a judge is on part with his training feats.
The rules remain unchanged – the placing of a fictional £100 on the SKY card, singles or multiples.
Full form is below tips
SAM & MARTIN (Star Sports – bookmakers)
7:16 – Ballymac Manix: After last week’s semi-finals the betting would suggest the Champion Hurdle is a match. I am nailing my colours firmly to the Ballymac Manix mast after last week’s track-record breaking run. A similarly fast start should again be enough to take care of Razldazl Raidio who has looked a shadow of his former self in recent outings.
7:31 Bubbly Bluebird: Assuming ‘Bluebird’ displays his normal electric burst from the boxes this contest could be all over at the first bend. My only slight reservation is Garryvoe Bobby hitting it and holding him up but I’m confident Bubbly Bluebird will do what he does best and maintain his relentless gallop to land the spoils.
8:04 Donation: A speculative selection for this youngsters race, I am siding with the only dog that did not contest the Derby itself. A dog of considerable promise, Donation’s trial over the 260m trip would have seen her a major player in the sprint earlier on the card. I’m taking her to clear Calico Ranger early and maintain her recent progress to land a very nice prize en route to better things.
8:38 Slick Strauss: I could not leave out the Dorando Marathon, with the Towcester executive showing tremendous initiative in making it an eight dog affair. Indeed Lord Hesketh himself provides a runner in Ribble Atom. Although this looks an obviously tricky affair I am siding with Slick Strauss who should appreciate every yard of the gruelling 906m and outstay his rivals for a landmark victory.
PUNTING: £50 Double Ballymac Manix (11-8) & Bubbly Bluebird (betting 11-10) £25 win Donation, (betting 6-1) £25 win Slick Strauss (10-1)
MIKE ROWE (Owner)
I am not a big punter and I would always go for value, I don’t like betting short odds. I have also gone each way for Inch Forward in an eight-runner race,
7:31 – Bubbly Bluebird:
7:48 – Rubys Rascal:
8:04 – Donation:
8:21 – Forest Con:
8.56 – Tyrur Shay:
PUNTING: £10 win singles: Bubbly Bluebird (11-10) , Rubys Rascal (9-4), Donation (6-1), Forest Con (5-1), Tyrur Shay (betting 9-4), £10 each way Inch Forward (betting 12-1)
JULIE COLLIER (Media)
7:01 – Dorotas Wildcat: Just love this dog, even when he misses the break his early is phenomenal. I’ve spoken to Kevin who reports him to be in terrific form and I’ll be cheering him home all the way!
7:16 – Ballymac Manix: Is the star of hurdling at the moment. It’s been a slightly troublesome week for Raidio who I am unconvinced about over the Towcester hurdles whereas Manix seems to love them! The Cahill kennel is in form and he has to be a confident bet for me..
8:56 – Tyrur Shay: I can’t work out if this is a heart or head vet but I really have taken to this dog. I want one of his pups! Of course Clares Rocket could get help up on the inside and I also think Shay could come out better than he has in his last two races. He was bouncing come Monday and i fancy him to produce one of the most exciting Derby finals since westmead hawk. Watch out for Errol’s commentary!.
Unfortunately didn’t do the treble last week so playing with a bit more confidence this week!
MARK WALLIS (Trainer)
7:48 – Rubys Rascal: I think he is in the form of his life, something that also happened this time last year. He obviously has to clear the one, but he has the fastest qualifying time and I fancy him quite strongly.
We have eight runners tonight and of the others, I think Clondoty Alex would probably be my bet, though it is not on the televised card. I would love to win the consolation with Bruisers Bullet, and think he must have a decent chance. As for the Dorando, which I am delighted to see was well supported with 30 entries and is being staged for eight runners, I am not sure how it will go. We bought Aayamza Breeze and a marathon runner though we won’t know whether she will stay until after tonight. Ribble Atom does stay but she isn’t the best at coming through her field and there are several who I would expect to lead her.
As for the final, I think the draw has favoured Tyrur Shay. He and Clares Rocket look the best two in the race, Hiya Butt has a puncher’s chance but I suspect he will hold up Clares Rocket on the inside. If Tyrur Shay is within a couple of lengths of the leader at the third bend I expect the roof to come off the grandstand. But best of luck to all of them, I really mean that. We have been lucky enough to win two Derbys and I hope connections have a great night and all the runners come off safe and sound.
PUNTING: £100 win Rubys Rascal (betting 9-4)
