Its time for the big one, the Greyhound Derby reaches its conclusion at Wimbledon on Saturday. The final plus an excellent supporting card including the likes of Spiridon Louis and Barnfield On Air is live on Sky Sports 2. If you're sampling the action for real I'll see you there.

Speed Figs

T5 Tyrur Laurel 100
T1 Kryptonite 92
T2 Lenson Express 91
T4 Loyal Honcho 90
T3 Tyrur Kieran 74+
T6 Blonde Dino 68

Tyrur Laurel (rec. at 25/1 ante-post) has really come into form in the last couple of rounds and heads the figures. My main concern for him would be having Loyal Honcho on his inside as both dogs could well head into the first bend side by side. Kryptonite is next best and he has the trap 1 Derby bogey to overcome. He could well lead this field though and if he does he may well become the first red jacketed winner since the race moved to Wimbledon.

Skydogs Tissue

Using the speed figures plus a little tinkering for the draw I've come up with these prices for the race -

5/2 Tyrur Laurel, 7/2 Kryptonite, 4/1 Loyal Honcho, Lenson Express, 14/1 Tyrur Kieran, 18/1 Blonde Dino

Tyrur Laurel and Kryptonite can be backed with the bookies at 3/1 and 4/1 respectively and I couldn't put anyone off at those odds. Lenson Express is the dog with the biggest difference in prices with 33/1 available with the layers. He hasn't got his nose in front in the competition yet but neither had Westmead Lord at this stage last year and he went on to win when it mattered. Long time ante-post favourite Tyrur Kieran has looked vunerable in the last couple of rounds and although he may improve for a weeks rest he certainly need to and I couldn't be on him at 3/1.

Its a cracking final and one of the most wide open for years. We're already on Tyrur Laurel at 25/1 each way so there's a payout coming for a place at least. Charlie Lister's Kryptonite is worth a saver at 4/1 with Skybet while Lenson Express has to be worth a small punt at a silly price or probably even better value will be a cheap buy on the spreads.

Finally, good luck to all the connections and lets hope all the dogs come home safe and sound.

The 75th renewal of the Cesarewitch starts on Thursday evening and while this years event looks a little short on quality there is still some value to be had.

David Pruhs' Primitive Way heads the market and he should go well. This good looking son on True Honcho holds the track record over this trip at the Sandy Lane circuit but anyone who saw his last run at Peterborough, where he seemed to let Genesis Alix past him, will think twice before lumping on at a best price of 3/1.

Tony Collet looks to have a strong hand with Lenson Joker, Sherries Boy and Black On Air. Lenson Joker was just caught by Greyhound of the Year, Spiridon Louis, in the St Leger and this slightly shorter trip is in his favour. If his Derby exertions haven't taken too much out of him he's a real contender stepped back up to six bends.

At a bigger price though I fancy Sherries Boy to go well. Sherries Boy recently finished fourth in the Coral Regency behind the exciting Flying Winner and also ran well behind classy Aero Blackjack at Walthamstow last time out. He's not got a great draw in trap four in the third heat but it looks a relatively weak affair and I still fancy him to progress. The 14/1 about his chances put up by Corals looks too big to me and is worth taking each way.

Bet - 6 points each way Sherries Boy at 14/1 with Corals

The Cesarewitch, a six bend event run at Oxford gets underway on Thursday, track record holder Primitive Way is the current favourite. I'll post a preview shortly but in the meantime here's the first round draw -

THURSDAY MAY 29
OXFORD

20.20 645M THE 75TH WILLIAM HILL CESAREWITCH HEAT 1

1 SWIFT MODEL (M W JEANS, READG)
2 COOLANGA FLYER (M A WALLIS, WSTOW)
3 SWIFT DOUGAL (P R FOSTER, SWNDN)
4 SUPERHODS JACK (K G HARDIMAN, READG)
5 LENSON JOKER (M) (A M P COLLETT, STGBRN)
6 DROOPYS RIQUELME (W) (B A CLEMENSON, HOVE)

20.50 645M THE 75TH WILLIAM HILL CESAREWITCH HEAT 2

1 GRAYFOX CHIP (N COLTON, READG)
2 CLOVER CAPTAIN (N COLTON, READG)
3 SHELBOURNE RICH (B A CLEMENSON, HOVE)
4 FERRYFORTH BEST (R P HANNAN, OXFRD)
5 MANNERS SLANEY (W) (P F WOODHOUSE, POOLE)
6 SWIFT STIRLING (W) (L L G MAGNASCO, OXFRD)

21.20 645M THE 75TH WILLIAM HILL CESAREWITCH HEAT 3

1 MINTED EURO (N COLTON, READG)
2 EYE ONTHE POWER (M A WALLIS, WSTOW)
3 JO SHUFFLE (R P REES, WDON)
4 SHERRIES BOY (A M P COLLETT, STGBRN)
5 BLACK ON AIR (M) (A M P COLLETT, STGBRN)
6 VATICAN FYNE (M) (P J ROSNEY, NOTTS)

21.50 645M THE 75TH WILLIAM HILL CESAREWITCH HEAT 4

1 SWIFT MAYBOLE (J G MULLINS, YRMTH)
2 PRIMITIVE WAY (D R PRUHS, PBRGH)
3 DIRECTORS CHAIR (M A WALLIS, WSTOW)
4 DEVIOUS LAD (G E HEPDEN, OXFRD)
5 LYREEN CHERRY (J CAMPBELL, PORTS)
6 BELINDAS FLOSS (W) (R JURY, READG)

The latest betting is available here.

Well, we're finally there. After some tremendous racing six dogs have battled their way through five rounds of the Blue Square Greyhound Derby to reach the final which takes place next Saturday.

It should be a cracking nights racing and I'll be cheering on ante-post selection Tyrur Laurel (rec. 25/1) who has made it through to the decider.

2008 BLUE SQUARE DERBY FINAL

1 KRYPTONITE
2 LENSON EXPRESS
3 TYRUR KIERAN
4 LOYAL HONCHO (M)
5 TYRUR LAUREL (M)
6 BLONDE DINO (M)

The latest betting is available here.

The Greyhound Derby reaches the semi-final stage on Saturday night. All the action from Wimbledon will be on Sky Sports News. As this channel is on Freeview its an excellent chance to see some top class greyhound racing.

One of the ante-post selections, Rio Quando, bit the dust after missing the break in the quarter finals but Tyrur Laurel is still going strong and goes in the first qualifier. Full draw as below -

1ST SEMI

1 DROOPYS OBAFEMI
2 LENSON EXPRESS
3 EXPRESSEGO
4 KRYPTONITE
5 TYRUR LAUREL (M)
6 TOOSEY BLUE (W)

2ND SEMI

1 TYRUR KIERAN
2 BARNFIELD ON AIR
3 COMMANDER CHIEF
4 SEANIS LAD
5 LOYAL HONCHO (M)
6 BLONDE DINO (M)

The latest betting is available here.

The Greyhound Derby continues on Tuesday with the quarter finals. All the action is live on Sky Sports 3.

Scottish Derby winner Tyrur Kieran is now as short as 7/4 to land the classic. He's well drawn in the red jacket for the third quarter but the likes of Bubbly Totti, Kilkenny Lonjack and Toosey Blue will give him a proper test.

Both ante-post selections are through to the quarters and I think both are capable of progressing. Tyrur Laurel goes in the first quarter while Rio Quando goes in the last.

Another dog I also fancy to go through at a big price is Tony Collet's Lenson Joker. He's generally a 50/1 shot for outright honours and might be worth a small each way bet at those sort of odds.

TUESDAY'S BLUE SQUARE DERBY QUARTER-FINALS -

8.45PM 480M 1ST QUARTER

1 BARNFIELD ON AIR
2 BOHERNA ON AIR
3 TYRUR LAUREL (M)
4 SPLANC (M)
5 CATS WHISKERS (M)
6 BLONDE DINO (M)

9.05 2ND QUARTER

1 DROOPYS OBAFEMI
2 LENSON EXPRESS
3 BARNFIELD WOODY
4 LENSON JOKER (M)
5 LOYAL HONCHO (M)
6 MELODYS PAT (M)

9.20 3RD QUARTER

1 TYRUR KIERAN
2 COMMANDER CHIEF
3 BUBBLYTOTTI (W)
4 BARNFIELD SLIPPY (W)
5 KILKENNY LONJACK (W)
6 TOOSEY BLUE (W)

9.40 4TH QUARTER

1 EXPRESS EGO
2 KRYPTONITE
3 SEANIS LAD
4 LOVE MAC
5 RIO QUANDO (M)
6 DILEMMAS FLIGHT (W)

The latest betting is available here.

A real blow to the industry was announced yesterday with the sale of Walthamstow Stadium to developers. My feelings go out to all those whose employment relies on the track and I hope they all find alternatives for themselves and the dogs that race there.

Official Walthamstow statement -

Agreed Sale of Company's Land 16 May 2008

The directors of Walthamstow Stadium Limited have agreed to the sale of the Company's freehold property at Walthamstow Stadium to a development consortium led by Yoo Capital, London, and Quadrant Housing Association and K W Linfoot plc. Formal contracts have been exchanged and completion is expected on or before 1st September 2008. Racing will continue until the middle of August 2008.

Since the abolition of General Betting Duty in 2001, with the consequent loss of theunique advantage of tax-free betting only on-course, greyhound punters have been able to bet tax-free off-course, and with betting offices and exchanges open throughout the evening to accommodate them, attendances and betting turnover on-course have declined dramatically. Walthamstow's totalisator turnover alone has fallen by some 35 per cent during the period.

With all of the principle income streams in sharp decline, and general running costs rising relentlessly, the company's operations have becomeunsustainable.

Staff and trainers have been notified and now enter a consultation period. It is hoped that all will find alternative positions after operations cease. From an animal welfare point of view, it is anticipated that most of the greyhoundscurrently racing at the Stadium will be accommodated at other racecourses. If, however, certain owners choose to retire their greyhounds, every effort will be made to support them in finding suitable homes.

The Peterborough Puppy Derby final is the highlight of Sky's coverage this evening. All the action is on Sky Sports 2 from 7:30p.m. with the big race due off at 9:45p.m.

Speed Figs

T6 - Droopys Marcus 100
T5 - Glenroe Ginger 82
T2 - He's A Mystery 79+
T3 - Me Buddy 66+
T1 - Conna Rodger 59
T4 - Drive On Captain 43+

Well drawn Droopys Marcus tops the figures after an impressive semi final run. Glenroe Ginger is next best while favourite Me Buddy is capable of better but will certainly need to improve on the numbers he's recorded so far.

Skydogs Tissue

Converting the speed figs to odds with an adjustment for the draw results in the tissue below -

Evs Droopys Marcus, 4/1 Glenroe Ginger, 7/1 He's A Mystery, 12/1 Me Buddy, 16/1 Conna Rodger, 28/1 Drive On Captain

Top rated Droopys Marcus is available at 5/2 and from the stripes he looks a good value bet. Glenroe Ginger has been steadily supported this week but can still be backed at 8/1 with Hills and Totesport and he'd be worth a saver. Me Buddy looks a lay, he's as short as 7/4 with ladbrokes and would be one to take on at that sort of price. A couple of interesting match bets have also been put up by the bookies. Droopys Marcus looks value at 11/8 to beat Me Buddy with Ladbrokes while Corals offer of even money for Glenroe Ginger to finish ahead of Conna Rodger also appeals.

The draw has been made for the third round of the Greyhound Derby and its thrown up some fascinating heats. First up Scottish Derby winner Tyrur Kieran takes on one of our ante-post selections Rio Quando. Heat five looks a belter while the closing contest which includes the sponsors current favourite Barnfield On Air against the likes of Kryptonite and Ullid Conor is also one to savour.

Our other ante-post recommendation, Tyrur Laurel goes in heat three and it will be a good test with Toosey Blue the likely jolly and the strong running Commander Chief also dangerous.

DERBY THIRD ROUND

8.15 HEAT 1

1 TYRUR KIERAN
2 CYCLERS LARK (M)
3 RIO QUANDO (M)
4 CATS WHISKERS (M)
5 A MILLION MAID (W)
6 DROOPYS TOBEY (W)

8.30 HEAT 2:

1 SEANIS LAD
2 RONNIES HUSTLE
3 LOYAL HONCHO (M)
4 MONIS PET (W)
5 KILKENNY LONJACK (W)
6 ROMEO TURBO (W)

8.45 HEAT 3:

1 COMMANDER CHIEF
2 FARLOE BATMAN (M)
3 TYRUR LAUREL (M)
4 BARNFIELD LEO (W)
5 TOOSEY BLUE (W)
6 ANNUAL SCHOLES (W)

9.00 HEAT 4:

1 CAPTAIN SOLO
2 LOVE TIGER
3 DROOPYS OBAFEMI
4 FARLEY LEGEND (M)
5 LENSON JOKER (M)
6 SPLANC (M)

9.15 HEAT 5:

1 EXPRESS EGO
2 BLUE JOCKEY
3 FARLOE REASON (M)
4 CATUNDA HARRY (M)
5 MELODYS PAT (M)
6 BARNFIELD SLIPPY (W)

9.30 HEAT 6:

1 BOHERNA ON AIR
2 YOULLHAVETOGO
3 MUSTANG GARCIA
4 VACANT
5 LENSON EXPRESS
6 BUBBLY TOTTI (W)

9.45 HEAT 7:

1 LOVE MAC
2 SEANIS STRIKE
3 BARNFIELD WOODY
4 FABULOUS AZURE
5 MACHU PICCHU (M)
6 DILEMMAS FLIGHT (W)

10.00 HEAT 8:

1 BARNFIELD ON AIR
2 ULLID CONOR
3 KRYPTONITE
4 BLONDE DINO (M)
5 SIDE LEG (W)
6 DROOPYS MAESTRO (W)

The latest betting is available here.

The Peterborough Puppy Derby is the centrepiece of Sky's live coverage this week. The trap draw is as below -

21.45 420M THE STANJAMESUK.COM PETERBOROUGH PUPPY DERBY FINAL

1 CONNA RODGER
2 HES A MYSTERY
3 ME BUDDY
4 DRIVE ON CAPTAIN
5 GLENROE GINGER (M)
6 DROOPYS MARCUS (W)

For the latest betting click here.

The Greyhound Derby continues with the second round at Wimbledon on Friday and Saturday. Both ante-post selections, Rio Quando and Tyrur Laurel, are safely through. Tyrur Laurel goes in the last heat on Friday and Rio Quando the last heat on Saturday. If you have a Blue Square account all the action can be seen on their website.

Second Round Draw -

FRIDAY MAY 9 WIMBLEDON

20.15 480M BLUE SQUARE GREYHOUND DERBY 2ND RND HEAT 1

1 BARNFIELD ON AIR (M)
2 FARLOE REASON (M)
3 ROMEO MALDINI (W)
4 SIDE LEG (W)
5 HULK HOGAN (W)
6 SHANACASHEL LAD (W)

20.30 480M BLUE SQUARE GREYHOUND DERBY 2ND RND HEAT 2

1 EXPRESS EGO
2 BLONDE DINO (M)
3 CARLSBERG FLASH (M)
4 EYE ONTHE VETO (W)
5 WESTMEAD LORD (W)
6 MONIS PET (W)

20.45 480M BLUE SQUARE GREYHOUND DERBY 2ND RND HEAT 3

1 TYRUR KIERAN
2 LENSON EXPRESS
3 ROCKY ROCKET (M)
4 ADVANTAGE JOHNNY (W)
5 TOOSEY BLUE (W)
6 SCINTILLAS RUBY (W)

21.00 480M BLUE SQUARE GREYHOUND DERBY 2ND RND HEAT 4

1 LOVE MAC
2 CAPTAIN SOLO
3 PIGALLE LADY
4 DROOPYS KIOWA (W)
5 A MILLION MAID (W)
6 DROOPYS WELLS (W)

21.15 480M BLUE SQUARE GREYHOUND DERBY 2ND RND HEAT 5

1 YOULLHAVETOGO
2 SEANIS STRIKE
3 BARNFIELD MIKE
4 CATUNDA HARRY (M)
5 MARSHMAN (M)
6 NINJA JAMIE(M)

21.30 480M BLUE SQUARE GREYHOUND DERBY 2ND RND HEAT 6

1 FARLEY LEGEND
2 DROOPYS OBAFEMI
3 LOCKDALE DIAMOND
4 FARLOE NIALL (M)
5 LETHAL FRANKIE (W)
6 DROOPYS TOBEY (W)

21.45 480M BLUE SQUARE GREYHOUND DERBY 2ND RND HEAT 7

1 BARAN PEDRO
2 LOVE TIGER
3 MELODYS PAT (M)
4 PLOUGH LANE (M)
5 BARNFIELD LEO (W)
6 MOVE ON KEWELL (W)

22.00 480M BLUE SQUARE GREYHOUND DERBY 2ND RND HEAT 8

1 TOOSEY TOPS
2 MUSICAL JACK
3 COMMANDER CHIEF
4 TYRUR LAUREL (M)
5 DROOPYS CURBS (M) (Non-Runner, trap now vacant)
6 ANNUAL SCHOLES (W)

SATURDAY MAY 10
WIMBLEDON

20.15 480M BLUE SQUARE GREYHOUND DERBY 2ND RND HEAT 9

1 CALZAGHE TED
2 BLUE JOCKEY
3 FARLOE BATMAN (M)
4 CYCLERS LARK (M)
5 TYRUR RHINO (W)
6 PENNYS FLEETFOOT (W)

20.30 480M BLUE SQUARE GREYHOUND DERBY 2ND RND HEAT 10

1 BLACK ICE BOSS
2 KRYPTONITE
3 LENSON JOKER (M)
4 FABULOUS AZURE (M)
5 NOIRS WILD (M)
6 WESTMEAD KEAWN (W)

20.45 480M BLUE SQUARE GREYHOUND DERBY 2ND RND HEAT 11

1 TYRUR ROCKY
2 RONNIES HUSTLE
3 BROADWAY SPARK
4 LOYAL HONCHO (M)
5 DROOPYS NORMAN (W)
6 BARNFIELD SLIPPY (W)

21.00 480M BLUE SQUARE GREYHOUND DERBY 2ND RND HEAT 12

1 ROCKBURST MASON
2 ULLID CONOR
3 BOHERNA ON AIR
4 UNIQUE OPTION (M)
5 MUSTANG GARCIA (M)
6TALKING MAN (W)

21.15 480M BLUE SQUARE GREYHOUND DERBY 2ND RND HEAT 13

1 TYRUR JAY
2 HACKNEY CARRIAGE
3 KILKENNY LONJACK (M)
4 MACHU PICCHU (M)
5 DILEMMAS FLIGHT (W)
6 MADGES MILLIONS (W)

21.30 480M BLUE SQUARE GREYHOUND DERBY 2ND RND HEAT 14

1 GETMEADOCTOR
2 RONALDOS MERIT
3 DROOPYS MAESTRO (M)
4 SWIFT N SMART (W)
5 ROMEO TURBO (W)
6 BABY BLAZE (W)

21.45 480M BLUE SQUARE GREYHOUND DERBY 2ND RND HEAT 15

1 BLONDE JEANNIE
2 SEANIS LAD
3 TEMPLELAD
4 SPLANC (M)
5 BLITZ (W)
6 BUBBLY TOTTI (W)

22.00 480M BLUE SQUARE GREYHOUND DERBY 2ND RND HEAT 16

1 BARNFIELD WOODY
2 BLACKSTONE CHAMP
3 CATS WHISKERS (M)
4 RIO QUANDO (M)
5 LOWGATE THEO (W)
6 CASINO VALENTINE (W)

The latest betting is available here.

The Peterborough Puppy Derby continues on Wednesday with three semi finals. Ante-post selection Droopys Alonso won his heat and goes in the second semi.

Trap draw as below -

WEDNESDAY MAY 7 - PETERBOROUGH

21.15 420M STANJAMESUK.COM PETERBOROUGH PUPPY DERBY SEMI-FINAL 1

1 SPECIAL LIBERTY
2 CHEERFUL STORY
3 ELUSIVE TUESDAY
4 CONNA RODGER
5 JONOS PATIENCE
6 ME BUDDY

21.30 420M STANJAMESUK.COM PETERBOROUGH PUPPY DERBY SEMI-FINAL 2

1 DRIVE ON CAPTAIN
2 DROOPYS ALONSO
3 HES A MYSTERY
4 PLATINUM FORMALY
5 ZODIAC RAVEN (M)
6 STARDOME STORM (W)

21.45 420M STANJAMESUK.COM PETERBOROUGH PUPPY DERBY SEMI-FINAL 3

1 BIGWOOD ROCKET
2 GLENROE GINGER (M)
3 TURAR ABIT (M)
4 KILLACOLLA FOX (W)
5 PUCKAUN RICARDO (W)
6 DROOPYS MARCUS (W)

The latest betting is available here.

Really pushed for time tonight so just a quick post ahead of the Greyhound Derby.

Its a real tough competition and I'm taking two dogs against the field. Both Rio Quando and Tyrur Laurel are available at 25/1 and I'll have 3 points each way on them both. If you're playing make sure you take advantage of those bookies who each way terms cover the first six.

The Peterborough Puppy Derby also kicks off tonight and I've had another 3 points each way on Droopys Alsono who is a 20/1 shot with Corals.

Good luck to all the connections in the big one.

Cheers

As well as the big one, the Blue Square Greyhound Derby that is, the Peterborough Puppy Derby starts tomorrow evening. The final will be live on Sky Sports 2 on the 13th of May.

First round draw -

FRIDAY MAY 2
PETERBOROUGH

20.00 420M THE STANJAMESUK.COM PETERBOROUGH PUPPY DERBY

1 ICEMAN ARTHA (L BURFORD, COVEN)
2 PLATINUM FORMALY (G L DAVIDSON, CRYFD)
3 ZODIAC RAVEN (M) (N MCELLISTRIM, WDON)
4 DROOPYS DIVINE (W) (S A CAHILL, WSTOW)
5 DROOPYS OI OI (W) (S A CAHILL, WSTOW)
6 KILLACOLLA FOX (W) (N D JONES, READG)

20.15 420M THE STANJAMESUK.COM PETERBOROUGH PUPPY DERBY

1 CLASSY DEPOSIT (J W REYNOLDS, ROMFD)
2 CONNA RODGER (R SENIOR, PBRGH)
3 RAHYVIRA HOLIDAY (M) (S A WALSH, HARLOW)
4 GLENROE GINGER (M) (B DRAPER, UNATT)
5 DROOPYS GIAMATTI (W) (P J RICH, WSTOW)
6 DROOPYS MARCUS (W) (S A CAHILL, WSTOW)

20.45 420M THE STANJAMESUK.COM PETERBOROUGH PUPPY DERBY

1 JONOS PATIENCE (M A WALLIS, WSTOW)
2 MATCH (K MULLINS, WSTOW)
3 CHEERFUL STORY (N MCELLISTRIM, WDON)
4 ELUSIVE TUESDAY (M A WALLIS, WSTOW)
5 MOTHBALL (L BURFORD, COVEN)
6 MISTLEY COLONEL (W) (K MULLINS, WSTOW)

21.00 420M THE STANJAMESUK.COM PETERBOROUGH PUPPY DERBY

1 ME BUDDY (M J DARTNALL, READG)
2 PINEWOOD EVO (M A WALLIS, WSTOW)
3 PHARAOH DIVER (J W REYNOLDS, ROMFD)
4 TURAR ABIT (M) (S A CAHILL, WSTOW)
5 GIFTED JACK (M) (S BAGGS, WSTOW)
6 PUCKAUN RICARDO (W) (S MAVRIAS, STGBRN)

21.30 420M THE STANJAMESUK.COM PETERBOROUGH PUPPY DERBY

1 HES A MYSTERY (J BATESON, UNATT)
2 ICEMAID LILLEY (L BURFORD, COVEN)
3 BIGWOOD ROCKET (M L LOCKE, ROMFD)
4 DIRECTORS JET (S A CAHILL, WSTOW)
5 DRIVE ON CAPTAIN (J BATESON, UNATT)
6 UNIQUE DOUBLE (M F ALDEN, PBRGH)

21.45 420M THE STANJAMESUK.COM PETERBOROUGH PUPPY DERBY

1 DROOPYS ALONSO (D CHILDS, UNATT)
2 ICEMAN ALF (L BURFORD, COVEN)
3 BLUE TEDDY (H P J KEMP, PBRGH)
4 SPECIAL LIBERTY (J J COLEMAN, WSTOW)
5 MAGNA DAVE (B DRAPER, UNATT)
6 STARDOME STORM (W) (J T FOSTER, WDON)

The latest betting is available here.