Tonight sees the quarter final stage of this year’s William Hill Greyhound Derby take place at Wimbledon. It’s been a superb competition thus far and there are some cracking contests in store this evening, particularly the the race at 8:49pm where Ballymac Vic looks to maintain his unbeaten record against two very tough opponents in Droopys Jet and Screen Critic. All the action can be seen live on Sky Sports 3 from 7:30pm.
8:34pm Wimbledon
The first quarter final looks a very wide open contest on paper, with the bookies seemingly unable to split the Shaneboy Spencer, Farloe Warhawk and Tyrur Sugar Ray. Farloe Warhawk doesn’t have the best of the draw in trap four, especially with Shaneboy Spencer on his inside, and Liz McNair’s greyhound would be my selection here. The three dog has been foot perfect throughout the competition and there was certainly no disgrace in his defeat at the hands of Screen Critic in the second round. Take the best price of 3/1 on offer with William Hill.
Back Trap 3 Shaneboy Spencer @ 3/1 with William Hill
8:49pm Wimbledon
Definitely the race of the evening here and a difficult one in which to call the winner. Ballymac Vic is just about edging favouritism and deservedly so as far as I’m concerned. The outright favourite for 2013 Greyhound Derby glory has an excellent draw in trap three while Droopys Jet arguably doesn’t returning to trap one. Screen Critic deserves plenty of respect from six and should push Ballymac all the way. I hope this race produces the spectacle it has the potential to. Bet Victor go 5/4 about Liam Dowling’s runner.
Back Trap 3 Ballymac Vic @ 5/4 with Bet Victor
9:04pm Wimbledon
Ballymac Eske‘s connections will have been delighted with the way the quarter final draw worked out as they avoided their chief rivals and Barrie Draper’s runner looks to have a fairly straightforward task if he can reproduce either of his last two runs. Holdem Spy looks likely to be the main danger to the selection but to be honest, I can’t really see a danger in this line up. Generally, I wouldn’t want to be backing greyhounds at odds on but I expected the bookies to have put Eske in at around 1/2. The fact that you can get on at 4/5 with Ladbrokes makes it a decent bet for me tonight.
Back Trap 2 Ballymac Eske @ 4/5 with Ladbrokes
9:19 Wimbledon
Arguably the most open race of the four quarters here tonight and a real opportunity for some of the lesser lights to make it through to the semi finals. I’m quite surprised to see the David Mullins trained Bonamassa Rocks available at as big as 3/1. This greyhound really impressed me on Saturday night, winning my four and a half lengths and a repeat of that performance would see the blue jacket successful. He should have no problems from the slow starting Farloe Tango on his inside and Bonamassa looks a cracking bet.
Back Trap 2 Bonamassa Rocks @ 3/1 with Betfred