The semi finals of the 2012 Ladbrokes Golden Jacket take place at Crayford this Saturday morning 11th February with three races before the final which is the following week, Saturday 18th February. With no live greyhound action on Sky this evening (tips will return for tomorrow’s action on Racing Post Greyhound TV) I thought it was a good opportunity to have a look at the semis and try to find some possible value even though I think the two dogs at the head of the outright market, Express Trend and Farley Zach, are going to be very hard to beat in their respective races.
The first semi final is scheduled for 11.07 and is probably the most open of the three races. Likely favourite for this race will be the five dog Wise Signal. This greyhound is yet to be beaten on five visits to Crayford and seems to thrive at my local track. Although his previous three races over course and distance were better as far as the time was concerned, the performance Wise Signal put up in last week’s Golden Jacket heat was particularly impressive considering the amount of trouble in running he overcame. The thing I really like about this greyhound is his battling qualities and he’s been presented with a great opportunity of another victory considering the opposition in this race. U Make Me Smile coming out of trap one has plenty of experience over this course and distance but looks fully exposed now. The Mark Wallis trained Mountjoy Orion has quite a good record here having won two of her four visits to the track and may well be the one for forecast purposes.
Back: Trap 5 Wise Signal
Forecast: Trap 5 to bt Trap 2
Probably the most open of the three races on paper, the second semi at 11.51 sees Farley Zach reoppose the bitch he beat comfortable here last time, Bubbly Swallow. The two dog is very talented in her own right and still fairly unexposed especially over this trip. It wouldn’t be a massive surprise to see her finish closer to the likely favourite this time around and I’d be tempted to cover here with a reverse forecast. Lottes Girl put up an improved performance when wining Tuesday’s re-run heat but would need to improve again to trouble the principals.
Back: Trap 1 Farley Zach
Reverse Forecast: Traps 1 & 2
Finally, the last race on Crayford’s Saturday morning card is the 12.39 which features red hot favourite in the outright market Express Trend. As short as 11/8 now to win the whole competition, Elizabeth McNair’s bitch showed her class when beating Blackrose Monarch by three lengths in a time of 45.40s. The four dog Blackrose Monarch is again likely to prove the toughest opposition to the favourite although I could see Blue Bee coming out of trap six running a big race. She finished second here last time in only her second attempt over this course and distance when finding a lot of trouble in running and I’ll take her to qualify in second place.
Back: Trap 5 Express Trend
Forecast: Trap 5 to bt Trap 6
I’d imagine at least one if not two of my selections will be odds on come Saturday which wouldn’t really tempt me into a bet but this is the way I believe the races will pan out. Wise Signal could well be the value if available at a shade of odds against. Sorry there is nothing very original here but I can’t see any of the principals not managing to qualify for next week’s Golden Jacket final.
Ladbrokes Golden Jacket Semi Final Draw
First Semi Final
Trap 1 U Make Me Smile
Trap 2 Mountjoy Orion
Trap 3 Pennys Option
Trap 4 Perfect Gold
Trap 5 Wise Signal
Trap 6 Springwood Bob
Second Semi Final
Trap 1 Farley Zach
Trap 2 Bubbly Swallow
Trap 3 Buglys Billie
Trap 4 Lottes Girl
Trap 5 Razldazl Monroe (w)
Trap 6 Crossfield Luca (w)
Third Semi Final
Trap 1 Tommys Inluck
Trap 2 Coolavanny Fairy
Trap 3 Bubblys Blues
Trap 4 Blackrose Monarch
Trap 5 Express Trend
Trap 6 Blue Bee
2012 Ladbrokes Golden Jacket Betting
(Prices from William Hill)
Express Trend 11/8
Farley Zach 7/2
Wise Signal 8/1
Bubbly Swallow 12/1
Blue Bee 14/1
Lottes Girl 14/1
Blackrose Monarch 20/1
Razldazl Monroe 20/1
U Make Me Smile 20/1
Mountjoy Orion 25/1
Tommys InLuck 25/1
Springwood Bob 33/1
Buglys Billie 33/1
Bubbly Blues 40/1
Coolavanny Fairy 50/1
Pennys Option 50/1
Crossfield Luca 50/1
Perfect Gold 50/1
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