Westmead Osprey, Jimmy Lollie and Taylors Riviera headline star-studded card
Victor Chandler are hoping to get Westmead Osprey beat in tonight's Primus Telecom Henlow Derby Final after laying the 6/5 favourite at much bigger odds in their ante-post book.
"We laid this one at 10/1 at the the start of the competition and the dog loves this venue, performing well in the qualifying rounds and breaking the track record twice, so his credentials are rock solid," said trader Steve Lewis.
"That said, he's been drawn in five for the final and if he's to give himself the best chance to get around the first turn unscathed he will have to look very lively at the traps as the dogs inside him are loaded with early pace.
"Trap one Zupjack (8/1) looks the most likely leader given he's turned in front in the last two rounds and any trouble in behind would make him difficult to reel in.
"All in all, it looks a race where a case could be made for all six runners, even the outsider of the sextet Destroy The Camp (10/1) can be given a shout on the draw, being the only wide runner in the field and likely to benefit if the others come together around the opening turns."
Westmead Maldini is already being touted as a Derby contender for next year and will be looking to advertise his claims for that event in the 7.40 and is currently a 4/6 chance with VC to oblige over the standard 460 metres.
The 8.35 features prolific winner and contender for greyhound of the year Jimmy Lollie and this one will go off at short odds to confirm his position as the country's leading sprinter.
However, it's to be noted that last time around this venue he was turned over at short odds by one of tonight's rivals in the shape of Mark Wallis-trained trap three runner Risky Wand, so he's sure to give the favourite something to think about.
The 870 metres marathon at 9.25 features another TV favourite in Taylors Riviera, who will be at skinny odds to claim success in this event. Trainer Ted Soppitt has taken the trouble to give his marathon star a trial around this tricky circuit and the bitch flew round over four bends in a very quick 27.69.
The best backed dog on the card with VC is trap one Jolly Poacher in the 8.50 and Lewis added: "This one looks well boxed for a clear run to the bend and has won his last two open races around Oxford when leading trap to line both times.
"He previously performed well in front of Sky cameras when narrowly beaten at Belle Vue by one of tonight's opponents in trap 6 Peggys Way, but the punters think he will have his revenge!"
