Fox Sports Surfacing Dorando Marathon- Preview

Fox Sports Surfacing Dorando Marathon- Preview

The last race on the 15-race card at Towcester on Saturday is the Fox Sports Surfacing Dorando Marathon to be run over the gruelling 942 metres at 9.55pm. We take a look at the five runners and the their best odds currently available

Lamorna Amaze- Best Price 10/1 William Hill & Unibet

Alistair Scott’s runner Lamorna Amaze often gives the impression that she needs even further then this 942m distance, as she showed on March 9 when coming from way off the pace to defeat Swift Delta by a length and three quarters, drawing clear in the later stages to score in 58.86. 

Odds of 10/1 would make her appealing as part of a forecast/tricast angle if at her best, but there is cause for concern with her recent form. She has been off since April and was beaten a distance in her two previous races, and recent trials over 712m at Towcester are certainly not inspiring so will need to improve a ton in order to feature at the finish here.

Ballymac Taylor- Best Price 1/2 Unibet

Over the past two years, Ballymac Taylor has been one of the leading lights over six and eight bends, reaching numerous finals and recording track records at Oxford and at Towcester. 

She has a fantastic record over this 942m distance, winning five of her six starts, including when taking this race last year, her only defeat occurring when finishing fourth behind Mongys Wild's track record breaking performance in the Time Greyhound Nutrition TV Trophy Final back in March.  With the withdrawal of Mongys Wild, she is now a short priced favourite and she is more than capable of winning here and with a clear passage in the early stages, she should be the one to beat, though will need to be at her best herself in order to do so.

Salacres Belleza- Best Price 25/1 William Hill

The biggest priced runner in this contest but is something of an unknown quantity over this distance. The distance could suit her, and being out of Salacres Pippy, she is certainly bred to stay but the class of the opposition will probably find her out. 

Salacres Belleza has won an open over the 712m distance in late March but has been well beaten by Mongys Wild since over the same distance. Hasn’t raced since May 22 but has trialled over the 712m distance last week and although this is a trip into the unknown distance wise, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see her improving for it. 25/1 is attractive enough for those who think that could be the case, but for betting purposes, she could be one to include in tricast bets

Tato Komodo- Best Price 16/1 Unibet 

Could prove to be an interesting runner for trainer Barrie Backhurst. Has won a couple of 847m contests at Oxford in impressive fashion in March when coming from off the pace to score on both occasions but having led over this 942m distance in the heats of the Time Greyhound Nutrition TV Trophy, he dropped back to last quite quickly but wasn’t beaten too far at the finish. 

Was beaten by Mongys Wild in a 712m contest last week when staying on at the finish so it could be possible that there may be more to come over this distance if you ignore his previous run over this trip and with odds at 16/1, he could get involved at the finish with some luck in running.

Alright Patricia- Best Price 5/2 William Hill

With odds of 10/1, David Lewis’s Alright Patricia is third in on the betting, and there will be those out there who may think that she could give Ballymac Taylor most to do and could prove to be the viable forecast link. Having been campaigned mostly over six bends this year, Alright Patricia has raced twice over this 942m distance, chasing home Mongys Wild in both heat and final of the Time Greyhound Nutrition TV Trophy in March.

Her performance in the final saw her leading in the early stages, and connections will be hoping that she can hit the front again here, and if that’s the case, then she could give Ballymac Taylor something to think about, though in likelihood, may have to settle for second again.

Verdict:

With the withdrawal of Mongys Wild on Friday Afternoon, this race has now has a completely different look about it and has become much more open as a result. Punters may want to side with Alright Patricia at 5/2,  who has finished runner up in both recent starts over this distance and if she is able to build up a decent looking again here, then she could take plenty of catching. 

However, now her kennelmate Mongys Wild has been withdrawn, this could be the opportunity for Ballymac Taylor to take advantage. She has won five of her previous six starts over this 942m distance, including in this race last year and if gaining any sort of clear passage in the early stages, then she could prove too strong in the later stages. 

The other three rivals are available at double digit odds and it wouldn't be a surprise to see any of them involved in the final outcome now, with Tato Komodo at 16/1 looking of interest for an each way/forecast selection