The Laurels is the main event this week live on Sky Sports 2 this evening. As usual big race time is 9:45pm with coverage of the undercard starting at 7:30pm. I'll be there to see the action in the flesh so to speak and I'm hoping the usual Manchester weather holds off for a change!

Speed Figures

T2 - Prodigious 100
T4 - Boherna Best 99
T1 - Boherna On Air 97
T6 - Centaur Marine 82
T3 - Farley Magic 61
T5 - Cortsway Giants 61

Barry Draper holds a strong hand in the final with three dogs making the decider but its Elaine Parker's Prodigious who heads the figures courtesy of a good performance in the heats. Draper's Boherna Best and well drawn Boherna On Air are next in with this trio clear of the rest.

Skydogs Tissue

Using the speed figures as a basis and adding in the likely pace and draw scenario's I've come up with the 'tissue' below -

5/2 Prodigious, 3/1 Boherna On Air, Boherna Best, 15/2 Centaur Marine, 14/1 Farley Magic, 28/1 Cortsway Giants

Prodigious, a son of the remarkable Top Honcho, looks seriously overpriced at the 6/1 generally available. He's capable of leading this field on the inside with the other likely pace setter, Centaur Marine, out wide, if he does get out he will be difficult to catch. Boherna On Air is the jolly at 11/10 which seems very short on what he's done in this competition. He is however well drawn in the red jacket and if trapping he has the early toe to go with the best of them, its for those reason's I'm not going to be hitting the lay button on Betfair. Boherna Best has to be considered but 3/1 is the top price on offer and that's about his price, he's also going to need some luck in running as I can't see him grabbing the lead in this field. Of the remainder Centaur Marine is quick away and well drawn but 6/1 with the layers is on the tight side. Farley Magic, the third Draper hope, is a dog I couldn't have on my mind at the 8/1 available and Cortsway Giants, a great big son of Fire Height Dan will be out the back early and will probably stay there.

Overall I think Prodigious is the value, I was a little disappointed with the quote of 11-14 on the 50-25-10 market with Bet HiLo but it’s probably there where my cash will go. There are also a couple of interesting match bets available. Corals have Prodigious priced at 5/6 to finish in front of Centaur Marine which is excellent value though I am a little concerned that the six dog may get his nose in front at the first so although its very tempting I'm going to pass on that. I will however support Centaur Marine with Blue Square who have him at 4/5 to finish in front of Farley Magic, something which I make nearer an 8/13 chance.

Good luck to all the connections and to you if you have a bet.