This year’s Greyhound Derby kicks off on Friday 27th April with 132 dogs battling it out for the £125,000 first prize. Sponsor’s William Hill have now made the event the world’s richest greyhound competition and it really is a fantastic reward for the winning connections. The first round of the competition comprises 22 heats, 8 of them where the first 5 qualify and 14 heats where the first 4 greyhounds make it through to the second round. Heat 1-11 take place on Friday night with 12-22 being run on Saturday. The fact so few greyhounds are eliminated from the competition at the first round stage means it’s a nice introduction to the track for most of them and allows for some of the more fancied runners to experience a bit of trouble and still possibly make it through.
Winner of the 2011 Wimbledon Greyhound Derby Taylor’s Sky is favourite to make it back to back wins in the competition. William Hill make the Charlie Lister trained runner a 6/1 chance for the Wimbledon showpiece. He was so impressive in last year’s event and has looked as good as ever thus far this season winning a Derby trial here on the 7th April and there is no reason why last year’s champion can’t go close again. Razldazl Jayfkay is another leading contender for this year’s crown. Dolores Ruth’s runner has some very solid form at the Wimbledon track and I liked his performance when beating Shelbourne Geoff here at the end of March. While Taylor’s Sky would make more appeal to me at the respective prices, Razldazl maybe improve as the competition progresses and can’t be discounted.
Scottish Derby winner Barefoot Allstar is definitely value for the 2012 Wimbledon Greyhound Derby at a best price of 25/1 with Ladbrokes. Paul Hennessy’s greyhound was well backed in the final and looks open to plenty of improvement. He’d be my each way selection for Wimbledon glory.
Back Taylor’s Sky @ 6/1 with William Hill
Back Barefoot Allstar each way @ 25/1
2012 Wimbledon Greyhound Derby Specials from William Hill
Enhanced first-round treble – Taylors Sky, Razldazl Jayfkay and Eden Star all to win: 5-2
Taylors Sky to break track record: 5-2
Match Bet: 4-7 Taylors Sky vs Eden Star 5-4
Charlie Lister OBE to train the winner: 11-4
Seeding of the Derby Final winner (as per first round draw)
Rails 8-11; Middle 7-2;Wide 9-4
Track Record (28.17) to be broken in any heat: 2-1
Irish Trainer Winner (including NI): 9-4
British Trainer Winner: 1-3
MatchBet: 4-6 Jaytee Pedro vs Coolavanny Bert 11-10
Match Bet (which trainer will progress furthest):
6-4 D Ruth vs C Lister 1-2
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