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It’s almost been Pat Buckley’s Derby so far but there’s still two rounds left to go until Saturday week’s English Derby final. Irish trainers go into the contests with eight of the 12 semi-finalists and I’m all over Pat Buckley’s pair to win their respective heats.
First Semi Final 21:09
Last year’s defending champion Deerjet Sydney races from Trap 1 and no dog has ever won two Derbys at two different tracks. He’s been expertly prepared by Buckley who seems to be bringing him along race-by-race and he ran a personal best in the quarter-finals.
He’s won seven of his last eight races and there’s no reason why he can’t continue in that vein of form. He’s the only unbeaten greyhound left in the competition.
He’ll be short odds but looks the most likely winner.
To add a bit of value we can look at the forecast or even get the first three home. Cold as Ice broke really well in last week’s quarter final and has a lot of early speed. He was making inroads against Deerjet Sydney last time on what was his best run at Towcester and he can chase the favourite home in second to complete the forecast.
Ballymac Fairone has a tricky draw in trap 4 to complete the tricast. I’d fancy him over Toolmaker Sydney – who is not breaking consistently enough – to advance to next weekend’s final.
Selection: 1. Deerjet Sydney
Forecast: 1. Deerjet Sydney; 5 Cold as Ice
Tricaast: 1. Deerjet Sydney; 5 Cold as Ice; 4 Ballymac Fairone
The latest Greyhound racing odds are on PaddyPower.com right nowSecond Semi Final 21:27
All eyes will be on Pat Buckley again with Knocknaboul Syd who is drawn in trap 4. It was a master-stoke by Buckley to get him the middle seed after round three, as he’s broken so much better in his two subsequent races.
It’s very hard not to see him dominating this second heat and he looks to be getting better as we go through the rounds, much like his kennel companion in the first leg.
I expect him to break out smartly and pretty much make all.
He looks one of the strongest bets on the card.
Graham Holland’s Gaytime Milo can complete the forecast as he looks to have come in a little under the radar. Bockos Belly is a very, very, strong greyhound and can complete the tricast.
Selection: 4. Knocknaboul Syd
Forecast: 4. Knocknaboul Syd 5 Gaytime Milo 2 Bockos Belly
Tricaast: 4. Knocknaboul Syd1. Deerjet Sydney; 5 Cold as Ice; 4 Ballymac Fairone
The undercard
Towcester 20:34
I’ve been a big fan of Glengar Bale and he could get loose on the front from Trap 5 and could shine. Angry Tornado did a 29.30 time but won’t find it as easy to replicate that from Trap 1 on Saturday night.
Towcester 20.51
Angry Dad has been a little unlucky and just needs to get the break right if he’s to win tonight. I’m hoping he can get out quickly this time, control the pace and deliver.
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