So here we are with 12 left in: one week from glory! My colleagues work for the third time this week and that could have a bearing on their fitness and so this is a night to watch and hope that the antepost selections go through as opposed to finding value. Team Lolly was sadly decimated in the Quarter Finals as we lost 3 of our quartet but our one remaining survivor, Holdem Spy, is running as well as he has done throughout his career and his reputation is growing race by race. He has drawn the harder of the Semi-Finals but the Lolly Faithful are sure to get a run out of him tonight and hopefully he can be in the draw for next Saturday’s final. Here are my thoughts on the two Semi-Finals this evening:

Semi Final 1 – 20:45

Whether rain falls or not, this will be a tough test for the wide-dogs as Droopys Jet and Ballymac Eske have been two of the stars of the tournament and look set to have a great battle. Considering that Jet has learned how to ping out of these English boxes he should lead Eske and the backers of the latter will be able to witness whether he is capable of picking up Jet or not: I believe he will not be able too in a clean run race. That clean run race is unlikely, however, with Jet and Eske looking to battle out front they could set the race up for a finisher and there were none faster home in the Quarter-Finals than Holdem Spy. He has his beloved trap 6 box to assert past Screen Critic (as he did earlier in the tournament) and the fact that Bittles Bar missed the break from 4 in the Third Round can only help Spy’s chances of a clear run. If he gets a run then he will give any dog a race. Hather George is to be more respected from a middle berth according to Charlie Lister but it is hard to see, however gallantly he tries, how he can get competitive here. A really tough race to call this.

Semi Final 2 – 21:05

Ballymac Vic’s customary poor performance in a big tournament has yet to present it’s ugly head and it might do so here. He seems a dog that needs to get on a roll and never really threatened to overhaul Droopys Jet in the Quarter Finals which could have dented his confidence. The presence of the rapidly improving Sidaz Jack on his immediate inside is a concern as well as Jack is going from strength to strength. The way he succumbed in the Third Round is a question mark over him and with a great draw it may pay to back Tyrur Sugar Ray to turn prominently enough to beat these. He won’t be doing it if Vic or Jack lead comfortably but it is hard to see either doing that and so Ray can assert from a good draw.

So there are my thoughts on the most tricky night in greyhound racing as the effect of the three quick runs is any dog or human’s guess! Please comment or tweet if you have any thoughts but it is a night for varying opinions, and that is what is great about our work! Let’s just hope that Spy qualifies for the greatest race of them all which will be enjoyed with plenty of doggie treats if he’s there!