Joe's Star Sports/TRC English Greyhound Derby semi-final tips

Semi-Final One

So many ifs and buts around this semi-final with dogs drawn badly, especially the three railers Sole Mio, De Lahdedah and Droopys Bookem. Slick Sentinel looks fairly well-housed in four as do Bombay Pat in five and Churchfield Syd in six. 

This race entirely depends on what happens to the first bend with reigning champion De Lahdedah having to avoid Sole Mio on his inside who looks certain to move off from one and the early pace he carries could see De Lahdedah in trouble. 

Droopys Bookem needs to miss the break and tuck inside before rattling home to give himself a chance of qualifying. Slick Sentinel needs to repeat what he has been doing out the traps and the same goes for Churchfield Syd. I am going to take a chance on Bombay Pat in trap five who has missed the break on his last two starts but it only takes once for this dog to trap to make the 5/1 available look silly. 

He is as talented as they come so a good break from him can see him go onto win this with Sole Mio following him home and Churchfield Syd clinging on for that vital third spot.

1st Bombay Pat
2nd Sole Mio
3rd Churchfield Syd

Semi-Final Two

Another semi-final of ifs and buts but this time it all depends on if Bockos Diamond comes away. His Derby campaign has been dependant on his breaking as he is not trapping like we know he can but showing all the speed in the world to continue getting through in victory and defeat. 

He needs to avoid Cheap Sandwiches but that might not be easy with 'Sambo' now drawn on his inside and a much more consistent breaker than his kennel mate. Dynamic Force is running to the top of his game and is capable of a ping break that could see the two Graham Holland runners in a sport of bother. The railers No Better Feelin, Prince Naseem and Droopys Plunge have all got solid chances of making the final three. 

I am with Cheap Sandwiches to get the better of Bockos Diamond and Droopys Plunge. The consistency of Cheap Sandwiches breaking and his runs has me leaning his way in an other enthralling contest.

1st Cheap Sandwiches
2nd Bockos Diamond
3rd Droopys Plunge

Whatever happens we have two sensational semi-finals to look forward to and the very best of luck to all 12 sets of connections!