m a n a b o u t d o g b l o g

Coral Regency Final Card

After last night's card at Hove, here is the current SKY SPORTS TIPPING LEAGUE TABLE

1.    Peter Meldrum +€10.08; 15/45 (33.3%)
2.    Tony Bullen +€9.51; 17/38 (44.7%)
3.    manaboutdogblog +€1.16; 21/68 (30.9%)
4.    Gary Wiltshire +0.30 4/8 (50%)
5.    Phil Donaldson -€0.35 4/8 (50%)
6.    Patrick Kelly -€1.65; 3/8 (37.5%)
7.    Richard Birch -€7.15; 13/32 (40.6%)
8.    Jonathon Kay -€13.85; 28/79 (35.4%)
9.    Jonathon Hobbs -€14.82; 21/71 (29.58%)

I had a good night, tipping 3 out of 4 dogs plus Man United. Combined them in a Super Yankee too - very nice.

Manaboutdogblog +€4.75;  3/4
·       Ibetx Dot Com WON 3/1
·       Vatican Iona 6/4 Ladbrokes WON
·       Barnfield Loreto LOST
·       Barnfield Slippy WON 5/4

Jonathon Hobbs +4.10; 3/8
·       Townbrow Melody LOST
·       Baran Hawaii LOST
·       Be All WON 7/1
·       Slaneyside Demon NAP LOST
·       Barnfield Loreto LOST
·       Swift Ninja NB WON Evs
·       Directors Chair LOST
·       Flying Winner WON 11/10

Patrick Kelly -€1.65 3/8
·       Hope and Glory LOST
·       Swift Sapphire LOST
·       Hotdog Jack LOST
·       Slaneyside Demon LOST
·       Barnfield Loreto NB LOST
·       Swift Ninja WON Evs
·       Barnfield Slippy NAP WON 5/4
·       Flying Winner WON 11/10

Peter Meldrum -€1.50; 1/4
·       Millwards Summit 7/1 Hills LOST
·       Swift Sapphire 11/4 Coral LOST
·       Vatican Iona 6/4 Ladbrokes WON
·       Directors Chair 5/1 Blue Square LOST

Jonathon Kay +€3.10 ; 4/8
·       Noirs Heart LOST
·       Ibetx Dot Com WON 3/1
·       Hotdog Jack LOST
·       Slaneyside Demon LOST
·       Ard Up LOST
·       Swift Ninja 7/4 Hills WON
·       Barnfield Slippy WON 5/4
·       Flying Winner WON 11/10

LIVERPOOL

Liverpool haven't scored at Stamford Bridge in their last 8 visits.  That sequence will end tonight.

• Liverpool to win 2-0 (17/1 Powers)
• Gerrard to score first goal (10/1 Ladbrokes)

Harolds Cross Hunch

This is a hunch as opposed to a calculated tip, and will not be classed as a selection by me – especially as it will probably go off at a short price.

But a dog called Learner Lady goes in an N1/N2 at Harolds Cross tonight trained by Matt Travers. It only re-qualified a week ago so I wonder what is afoot. Will be interesting to see what happens in the market.

Man Utd

Man Utd have been flat for the last couple of weeks, but despite the universal thumbs down after last week’s scoreless draw at the Camp Nou, (Nou Camp?) Stadium with Barcelona, they still emerged from one of the cauldrons of world football all square.

Fergie will have his men fired up as they now face the possibility of a trophyless season as opposed to a fabulous double.

I fancy a United onslaught from the get go, and 2 or 3-0 to the Red Devils is not an impossible scenario. Barcelona will come to play tight, but United at Evens with Boylesports looks value to me.

Coral Regency Final at Hove

The Final of this competition is at Hove tonight, and I have a live selection in Vatican Fyne (aka Rough Rose) selected at 10s.

Here are my selections for tonight's Sky Tipping Competition, I will not be playing in a few of these trappy races.

• Ibetx Dot Com 3/1 Boyles
• Vatican Iona 6/4 Ladbrokes
• Barnfield Loreto
• Barnfield Slippy

Current SKY SPORTS TIPPING LEAGUE TABLE (after last week's Blue Riband night)

1. Peter Meldrum +€11.58; 14/41 (34.1%)
2. Tony Bullen +€9.51; 17/38 (44.7%)
3. Richard Birch -€7.15; 13/32 (40.6%)
4. Gary Wiltshire +0.30 4/8 (50%)
5. Phil Donaldson -€0.35 4/8 (50%)
6. manaboutdogblog -€3.59; 18/64 (28.1%)
7. Jonathon Kay -€16.95; 24/71 (33.8%)
8. Jonathon Hobbs -€18.92; 18/63 (28.6%)

Last week was very close between the Sky pundits and myself, winners were few and far between.  Some of the forumites on Greyhound Data had a go for themselves, here's how they did:

1. Paul Kennedy +6.75 3/8 (37.5%)
2. Meldrum +2.00 3/8 (37.5%)
3. Mathew Bourne +1.92 (4/8 (50%)
4. Kay +0.92 4/8 (50%)
5. Livi Noble +0.92 3/8 (37.5%)
6. ‘Wiltshires Winners’ +0.30 4/8 (50%)
7. Donaldson -0.35 4/8 (50%)
8. Hobbsys Choice -0.40 3/8 (37.5%)
9. manaboutdogblog -0.67 1/5 (20%)
10. Mark Calder -2.45 3/8 (37.5%)
11. Rob Morton -6.33 1/8 (12.5%)

manaboutdogblog reader 'catbiscuit' had a profitable night with 3 winners Genesis Dream(11/10) Vatican Iona(3/1) and A Million Miles(7/1) all winning giving 'catbiscuit' a terrific score of +€6.10; 3/8 (37.5%).

ENGLISH DERBY 2008 - €100 TIPPING COMPETITION

IN ASSOCIATION with BRUCE BETTING

This is the OFFICIAL section for all Greyhound Derby 2008 Tipping Competition entries, scores, leaderboards, rules, queries etc.  Simply click on the right handside where it says English Derby 2008.

RULES

Entrants must select one greyhound in each heat of this year's Derby.

If the selection wins 10pts are awarded.
If the selection is second 5pts are awarded.
If the selection wins at odds of greater than 3/1 a bonus of 5pts is applicable.

For each round the entrant may select a NAP, NB and BISMARK.

If the NAP wins 20pts are awarded.
If the NB wins 10pts are awarded.
If the BISMARK is beaten 20pts are awarded.
If the BISMARK is knocked out, 40pts are awarded.
NOTE: BISMARK points are ONLY awarded if greyhound SP is returned at odds-on.  All selections returned at Evens or bigger are disregarded.

Any NON RUNNERS are simply missed chances to score points - no refund of points etc.

The first two rounds will be split over two nights, therefore 2 NAPs, NBs and BISMARKs need to be selected - one for each night.

For verification purposes, all entries must be made by posting directly onto the MANABOUTDOG blog comments section.  No emails, forum posts or texts etc will constitute an entry. No excuses for late entries etc.  I have decided to use this method of entry to rule out people amending posts, saying they emailed entries or the dog ate it etc.

The blog will enable transparency of all entries.

ALL ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED UP TO 5 MINS BEFORE THE FIRST RACE OF EACH NIGHT. BUT IF YOU'RE LATE, YOU'RE LATE!

In the event of a tie on points at the end of the competition, the winner will be the entrant with the most successful naps, followed by NBs.  If still a tie the entrant with the most winners over 3/1 will be champion.  If still level, a tiebreaker will come into play.

WINNER WILL RECIEVE A FIRST PRIZE OF A €100 FREE BET WITH BRUCE BETTING

The judge's decision is final - that judge being me.

To leave an entry, simply post in the comments section below.

Good luck all.

Derby Draw

Tipping Competition starts this week - format and prizes to be announced soon

Blue Square Greyhound Derby, Round One

Two five runnerheats: heats 7 and 18
The first four qualify in each heat EXCEPT
there are FIVE qualifiers: heats 5, 14, 20 and 22

FRIDAY MAY 2
Heat 1
1 Ballygarron Hope
2 Farloe Reason (m)
3 Droopys Kiowa (w)
4 Eye Onthe Veto (w)
5 Advantage Johnny (w)
6 Granite Hill (w)

Heat 2
1 Machu Picchu (m)
2 Melodys Pet (m)
3 Podges Dilemma (m)
4 Westmead Lord (w)
5 Shanacashel Lad (w)
6 Unique Picture (w)

Heat 3
1 Baran Pedro
2 Lockdale Diamond
3 Captain Solo
4 Droopys Billy (m)
5 Toosey Blue (w)
6 Eye onthe Force (w)

Heat 4
1 Malbay Ronaldo
2 Blonde Jeannie
3 Forest Scholes
4 Ronaldos Merit
5 Loyal Honcho (w)
6 Baby Blaze (w)

Heat 5(FIVE qualify)
1 Blonde Buster
2 Seanis Strike
3 Tyrur Jay
4 Express Ego
5 Lowgate Theo (w)
6 Romeo Maldini (w)

Heat 6
1 Ullid Conor
2 Seanis Lad
3 Ninja Jamie (m)
4 Ballymac Ruso (m)
5 Attykit Admiral (m)
6 Barnfield Leo (w)

Heat 7
1 Pigalle Lady
2 Getmeadoctor
3 Temple Lad
4 vacant
5 Ballyamc Under (m)
6 Bubby Totti (w)

Heat 8
1 Blackstone Champ
2 Hackney Carriage
3 Noirs Wild (m)
4 Holyromanemperor (m)
5 Mystical Haka (m)
6 Madges Millions (w)

Heat 9
1 Droopys Obafemi
2 Clounts Felix
3 Lenson Joker (m)
4 Barnfield on Air (m)
5 Side Leg (w)
6 Bens Court (w)

Heat 10
1 Millions Girl
2 Catunda Harry (m)
3 Marshman (m)
4 Sheepwalk Bann (m)
5 Droppys Curbs (m)
6 Scintilla Ruby (w)

Heat 11
1 Commander Chief
2 Plough Lane (m)
3 Blue Schmu (w)
4 Romeo Turbo (w)
5 Pennys Fleetfoot (w)
6 Rossacredibikity (w)

SATURDAY MAY 3
(full comment and reaction in Monday's Racing Post)

Heat 12
1 Spears Tarquinn
2 Broadway Spark
3 Blazeaway Major (w)
4 Blitz (w)
5 A Million Maid (w)
6 Swift N Smart (w)

Heat 13
1 Farley Legend
2 Ronnies Hustle
3 Knockane Lark
4 Blonde Dino (m)
5 Westmead Keawn (w)
6 Edwards Solid (w)

Heat 14 (FIVE qualify)
1 Yahoo Commander
2 Musical Jack
3 Droopys Maestro (m)
4 Carlsberg Flash (m)
5 Talking Man (m)
6 Hulk Hogan (w)

Heat 15
1 Rockburst Mason
2 Love Tiger
3 Toosey Tops
4 Boherash Patriot (m)
5 Droopys Wells (w)
6 Romeo Primo (w)

Heat 16
1 Vangelis
2 Farloe Black
3 Boherna On Air
4 Fabulous Azure (m)
5 Unique Option (m)
6 Monis Pet (m)

Heat 17
1 Kryptonite
2 Calzaghe Ted
3 Love Mac
4 Hypatia Blue
5 Forest Gump
6 Tyrur Laurel (w)

Hea6 18
1 Tyrur Rocky
2 Black Ice Boss
3 vacant
4 Avon Scholes (m)
5 Farloe Niall (m)
6 Lethal Frankie (w)

Heat 19
1 Mustang Garcia (m)
2 Rocky Rocket (m)
3 Cyclers Lark (m)
4 Rio Quando (m)
5 Pea Ball (w)
6 Castlemary Podge (w)

Heat 20 (FIVE qualify)
1 Barnfield Mike
2 Barnfield Woody
3 Blue Jockey
4 Ballygarron Ash (w)
5 Droopys Toby (w)
6 Tyrur Rhino (w)

Heat 21
1 Brickfield Class
2 Lenson Express
3 Missed A Train (w)
4 Barnfield Slippy (w)
5 Casino Valentine (w)
6 Droopys Norman (w)

Heat 22 (FIVE qualify)
1 Youllhavetogo
2 Trained Assasin
3 Farloe Batman (m)
4 Kilkenny Lonjack (m)
5 Dilemmas Flight (w)
6 Annual Scholes (w)

Heat 23
1 Farloe Superman
2 Fine Moment
3 Tyrur Kieran
4 Cats Whiskers (m)
5 Splank (m)
6 Move On Kewell (w)

2008 English Derby Tipping Challenge

I will be hosting a tipping challenge in association with a sponsor and there will be a substantial prize for the winner.

WATCH THIS SPACE

SHELBOURNE MERC

Held my own, just about, on Tuesday night, with westmead Osprey winning at 6/4 at the Stow, and the superb Vatican Iona (which I flagged as a banker on the GData forum) winning at 3/1 (I got 100/30). Unfortunately Fabulous Azure was second at the Son, and the Liverpool v Chelsea match produced 2 goals instead of the 3+ that I predicted.

Tonight at Hove the semi finals of the Coral Regency are being staged, and in the first heat, traps 1 and 2 look well matched. But in the orange jacket is a certain Shelbourne Merc priced attractively at 11/2.  This classic winning bitch performed wonders to win her quarter final last week and her winning time could have been 50 spots quicker.  I am backing her big tonight, follow me in!

The second Semi makes little appeal with Flying Winner odds on and likely to oblige. Once again, the Shelbourne prefixed runner, Rich, who made all last week to get caught in the shadow of the stand, looks value, and at 25/1 with Coral, I am going to have a bet on him qualifying, hoping he will be in the first two.

• Shelbourne Merc (11/2) Coral
• Shelbourne Rich (25/1) Coral (place only 1/4 odds 1/2)

April stats: 60 selections: 12 winners: 10 pending: -€0.89 : 24% strikerate 

A feast of open racing tonight

Doncaster, Walthamstow, Wimbledon and Hall Green(live on Sky). Treeeeemendouuuus!

Walthamstow stages the semis of the Ocean Trailers Puppy Stake and I am going for Westmead Osprey in the 9.42. 

At Wimbledon there are 5 Blue Square Derby Trial Stakes and last week's heroes, the treble scoring littermates Fabulous Azure, Romeo Maldini and Romeo Turbo are on display again, as is the 2007 Blue Square Derby Winner Westmead Lord.  It's a tough card, but one standout bet for me is in the 8.45 race, Fabulous Azure, who demolished her opposition last week and the daughter of Droopys Maldini and Fast March can confirm that form with Dilemmas Flight again tonight.  Likely to go off around the 2/1 mark, like Westmead Osprey.

•   A good card again this week on Sky, as the final of the William Hill Blue Riband takes centre stage.  Farloe Reason will be very short, perhaps 2/5 at traprise, but justifiably so after nearly breaking the track record in his last two runs.  Nothing should trouble him tonight and barring a mishap at the start, he should win - I won't invest at those odds mind - who am I, Gary Newbon?

My selections for tonight are as follows:

• 7.40 Drink Up Zorro 11/4 Hills
• 8.00 IBetX Dot Com 11/4 Powers
• 8.15 No Selection
• 8.35 No Selection
• 8.50 Meenala Cruiser 2/1 Coral
• 9.10 Monsoon Jack
• 9.25 Vatican Iona 100/30 Ladbrokes
• 9.45 No Selection

Peter Meldrum's selections:

• 7.40 Westemad Serin 7/1 Coral
• 8.00 Oh His Nerves 9/2 Blue Square
• 8.15 No Selection
• 8.35 Vieris Surprise 5/4 Blue Square
• 8.50 Broadacres Rocco 2/1 VCBet
• 9.10 Kooga Kid 6/1 Boylesports
• 9.25 Ardagh Vibes EW 10/1 Coral
• 9.45 Farloe Reason 4/7 Blue Square

Phil Donaldson's selections:

• 7.40 Drive On Captain
• 8.00 IBetX Dot Com
• 8.15 Kildare Lark
• 8.35 Vieris Surprise
• 8.50 Broadacres Rocco
• 9.10 Two Nicks
• 9.25 Slaneyside Demon
• 9.45 Farloe Reason

Racing Post Editor Jonathon Kay's selections:

• 7.40 Drink Up Zorro 11/4 Hills
• 8.00 IBetX Dot Com
• 8.15 Broadacres Rocco 2/1 VCBet
• 8.35 Kildare Lark
• 8.50 Like Hot Cakes
• 9.10 Genesis Dream
• 9.25 Slaneyside Demon
• 9.45 Farloe Reason

Current SKY SPORTS TIPPING LEAGUE TABLE

1. Peter Meldrum +€9.58; 11/33 (33.3%)
2. Tony Bullen +€9.51; 17/38 (44.7%)
3. Richard Birch -€7.15; 13/32 (40.6%)
4. manaboutdogblog -€2.92; 17/59 (28.8%)
5. Jonathon Kay -€17.87; 20/63 (31.8%)
6. Jonathon Hobbs -€18.52; 15/55 (27.3%)
7. Phil Donaldson No Selections To Date