Sky Dogs

The 50,000 Euro Easter Cup reaches its conclusion at Dublin's Shelbourne Park tonight, it looks set to be a cracker.

Speed Figs

T4 - College Causeway 100
T5 - Caz Diamond 93
T6 - Advantage Johnny 76
T3 - Tyrur Kenny 68
T2 - Plough Lane 62
T1 - Vacant

College Causeway and Caz Diamond head the figures after coming home first and second in the quickest semi. Likely leader Advantage Johnny is next best and could make them all go from a good draw in the stripes.

Tyrur Kenny sprang a surprise when taking the Tote Gold Cup at odds of 25/1 and the figures would suggest it would be a similar upset if Paul Hennessy's hound were to do the double. The bookies disagree however going as short as 13/8 and I'd be prepared to take him on at those sorts of odds. As Betfair aren't running a market on this one a straightforward lay bet can't be made so instead I'm going to try a different tactic and dutch* the top two on the numbers.

Bet - 16 points to win College Causeway at 2/1 (Ladbrokes, VC Bet), 9 points to win Caz Diamond at 9/2 (Boylesports).

* A dutch bet is a bet on two or more selections where the stakes are varied to return the same profit if any selection wins. For an online calculator click here.

The Grand National final was a cracker with Hurdler of the Year Kildare Lark coming out on top in a race where only a couple of lengths covered the whole field at the finish.

Ante-post wise the event proved disappointing with the main selection Analyse going out in the semi-finals, he never really looked at home at the Plough Lane track.

Smooth Turbo made the final and I was feeling pretty good about the 50/1 voucher I had, especially as the dog was backed down to 9/4. Unfortunately he chose the decider to fluff his lines at the start and could never get back on terms coming home fifth.

To be in good postition like that and lose money is a bit of a sickener. I think I need to look at my records to see if laying off on Betfair is a profitable proposition in scenarios like this.