So after an intriguing tournament, the Lolly Faithful are feeling pretty pleased with themselves having had two of their most beloved doggie treats on White Soks Roks at 8/1 antepost (now best-priced Evs). Before the masses of Followers get too excited, however, he hasn’t won it yet! Another performance like the two he has produced so far would surely seal it but I, as a greyhound, know that it is not that easy (even I lost, occassionally). So here are my thoughts on the final and how it could unfold:

Soks has his perfect draw in trap six in order to utilise his superb early-pace with his elegant, long stride leaving others in his wake. If he misses it, though, his litter-brother Paulines Pride is perfectly well-equipped to punish his brother in a typically ugly sibling rivalry for these youngsters. The problem for Pride is that he has yet to show the early of his nearest-and-dearest and so Soks would have to miss the break terribly for him to figure for me; as we know from my first dog blog, it is very hard to pass dogs on the bends at Crayford and one can’t envisage Pride beating Soks for pace on the straights.

So where is the challenge going to come from? Droopys Xavier is a likeable sort, especially on the bunny, and has a great draw to work from with two tardy trappers either side: he is a danger. His limitations may have been exposed in the Semi-Final though in that he lacks that extra yard of pace to make him a serious consideration in Category One tournaments and whilst he is valiant, for me there needs to be a huge rail bias or significant trouble behind him for him to pick up the Jacket tomorrow morning. He could have a significant role to play in dragging Eden Rumble or Pony Bride with him on the first circuit, where they can both use their finishing pace to take the Silver Jacket (which surely should be it’s title). Preference is for the former.

‘Gavin’, as he is affectionately known away from his workplace, is full of desire which has shown him run two valiant performances to get to a final that many did not expect him to achieve. Eden Rumble is too big at 12/1 considering that the (unfortunately) terribly drawn Crinkill Jewel is shorter than him. ‘Gavin’ simply does not know when he is beaten and if he can stay in contention on the first circuit, which should be achievable with Xavier’s early dragging him along, his finishing pace can gain the Silver Jacket for his growing following. Pony Bride is always to be feared as she runs forever and a day and then a morning after that, but she has shown elements of being a quirky bitch who should win more than she does over a longer trip so it is a better call to be with Rumble to chase the shadow of Soks.

Whatever the outcome, it should be a great race and let’s hope the track is fair for all of my colleagues as the track staff have had terrible trouble with going biases, both ways, over the past weeks. The recommendation is Eden Rumble (1/2 a Dog Bone e/w @ 12/1). May the best dog (or bitch) win!

Go get that bunny young Soks!

Enjoy the race,

Jimmy