Sky Dogs: Arc can be right up Shaneboy's Alley

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"Shaneboy Alley, with useful Irish form in the book, has taken to this track well and is likely to take all the beating if trapping as he did in the semi-finals and is also open to further improvement having raced only twice since a four month break"

Shaneboy Alley who took an immediate shine to Swindon can make his record as the only unbeaten finalist pay dividends in the Arc final - live on Sky Sports  - on Wednesday evening says Darrell Williams, who also offers his thoughts on all six finalists and the supporting card.

T1 Longwood Warrior
Possibly lucky not to have had his card marked in both preliminary rounds, but will hopefully prove less interested in his rivals under lights. Switch to trap one interesting (two from two and best two runs from red). Not been trapping but kennelmate will ensure he has ample racing room and more to come judged on last year's form. Worth at least a saver.

T2 Longwood Bound
Big run in the semi-final but needs to trap again in similar style to repeat it, although fast enough if he does. Can be effective from this pitch but more middle draw appears preferable. 

T3 Jolly Bullseye
In red hot form and just denied a five-timer in the semi-finals. Hard to play down his chances, although a switch of boxes with trap two might have helped both. Excellent pace up but will need to watch his step to clear his inside neighbour.

T4 Droopys Reason
Might not be too badly drawn and arguably traps better from a middle pitch anyway. Without a win in seven, but doesn't deserve to be such a huge price.

T5 Screen Critic
Trap draw has done him few favours as appears ideally suited to trap six given his wide favouring tendencies and probably needs to out-trap his wider neighbour to figure.

T6 Shaneboy Alley
Has taken well to this circuit and showed excellent speed from the boxes in the semi-final. Tends to stay wide until the bend, so biggest concern is clearing trap five on the run-up, but likely to take the beating if he does. Useful Irish form (Won Kingdom Derby at Tralee) and has won four of his last five starts. 

Verdict
Shaneboy Alley, with useful Irish form in the book, has taken to this track well and is likely to take all the beating if trapping as he did in the semi-finals and is also open to further improvement having raced only twice since a four month break. He will need to be wary of wide-moving Screen Critic, but is unlikely to attempt to cut in himself until nearing the first bend. Longwood Warrior has been the subject of much debate after taking too much interest in the opposition in both rounds, but the switch to racing under lights could help, while his best form last year, which he hasn't yet reproduced, came from trap one and he is worth saving on. 

19:34 Bitches
Sharies Miller easily accounted for Forest Mollie over the CD three weeks ago and can prove strong enough to confirm the form, despite a reversal of draws. Special Release faces a tough test from such an unfamiliar wide slot.

19:49 Sprint
Guinness Sky has been running well at Hove and can prove good enough despite a previous look round. Chester Lad should benefit from his local trial, while local runner Forest Bracken has chances back in trap one.

20:04 509m
Veteran Crusty Crab has had little racing of late but the track-record holder is given a confident vote after a spate of good trials. Ardkill Star ran well here from trap one recently and would be a big threat on his best form.

20:19 Stayers
Another all-railers contest and far from easy to assess, but despite a less than favourable draw Ding Hero's combination of excellent local four bend form and class could make him the one to beat. 

20:34 Standard
While a trap six slot would have been a bonus, exceptionally fast Tyrur Willyjoe has the pace to get clear and gets a confident vote. Taranis Rex has an excellent record here and would be an obvious threat if he could clear Farloe Iceman

20:49 Super Stayers
Little local form to go on but Aero Rebel is taken to confirm recent running with in-form marathon charge Ballymac Swift, who may find this trip on the sharp side.

21:04 509m
An intriguing contest but a tricky call between former Arc winner Ballymac Cryan whose preference to Eclipse winner Sawpit Sensation can only be a marginal one.

Recommended Bets
Crusty Crab 20:04
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Shaneboy Alley 21:19