RPTV Tips: Derby heats: Airlie can make an early impact

How will Darrell's selection get on this evening?

The waiting is nearly over. The Greyhound Derby kicks off live on RPTV tonight with 13 first round heats at Wimbledon and Darrell Williams is ready with a stack of selections and thoughts for the opening night...

Start as you mean to go on is a great old saying and in Airlie Impact in the first heat (19:25) we have an over-priced dog that is just crying out to be backed. While Paul Young's charge would probably have preferred the Derby to be run at Hove, his potent combination of improving early speed coupled with his trademark stamina makes him a value bet to topple more expected rivals, especially after a more than decent trial over the Derby trip last week.

Knockglass Billy is a greyhound many expect to go a long way this year and with his coveted trap one berth (19:54) he will be a popular choice. However in what might turn out to be a more competitive heat than the odds suggest, compatriot Michael O'Donovan's Laughil George makes plenty of appeal against him. O'Donovan enjoyed the luxury of a finalist in Judicial Ruling last year, but before that his charge had won in both the first two rounds and his tactics to get a similar big run out of the selection could again yield dividends.

The fifth heat (20:26) looks a belter and while I could easily argue the case for Teejays Bluehawk's stamina coming good in a race of early-pace types, the value bet has to be local runner Zoos Caprice, whose recent form, and more importantly sole wide seed status, more than makes him a player against more recognised rivals.

Slick Santiago (20:58) could easily be another that has been prepared for a huge run in the first round for his astute handler Keith Allsop and at current odds he's not unfairly priced. However I'm happy to try my luck at twice the price with King Bradley - another early paced wide boy - who can further enhance his already excellent Wimbledon stats for the incomparable Rab (and Liz!) McNair.

Lemon Pluto, one of my ante-post picks, can get off to the best possible start and provide Charlie Lister with a first night winner by claiming the 22:18, where his draw outside railer Sigma Five should ensure him ample racing space. 

Shorter price punters have plenty to get stuck into, and with a far from straight-forward heat, there could be some tempting prices about Ballymac Eske (20:42) with rails seeking Garryglass Rodge one side and enigmatic Faroe Tango the other hardly set to make his life easy. Isabels Boy is interesting therefore at a price, but I still prefer Barrie Draper's charge to show his class, especially if the price is right! Kennelmate Eden Star (20:10) should have fewer problems in getting off to a winning start.

Screen Critic (19:39) looks a decent prospect for Kevin Hutton and earns a confident vote, but splitting Droopys Jet and Shaneboy Alley (21:15) is far from easy, with the Arc winner earning a very tentative call.

Farloe Chico looks too short (21:32) albeit in a poor heat and might be worth taking on with Blue Appeal, while although Ballymac Vic really should win the 21:48, his trap five draw tempers enthusiasm enough to take a chance with Tulligoline.

Bonamassa Rocks in the red coat, even with Golden Wonder lurking on his immediate right, is enough to make him the pick in the 22:03, although you can't argue with the fact that Jaytee Hellcat has the draw, while on what might be a good night for the McNair clan, King Nicky's early pace/wide draw combo can claim the last heat (22:35).

Recommended Bets

Airlie Impact 19:25
Laughil George 19:54
Zoos Caprice 20:26
King Bradley 20:58
Lemon Pluto 22:18