Greyhound Derby betting tips: Preview of Tuesday's quarter-finals

The Prime Minister may have spoken recently about the idea of "just about managing" and the concept is perhaps all too familiar to ante-post backers in the Star Sports Greyhound Derby.

Priceless Brandy was the highest-profile elimination from the third round, but the Irish appear to have a strong grip on the prize with my 33/1 ante-post selection Tyrur Shay heading the market at a general 7/2. 

With another slow track and messy racing throughout, the clock became almost an irrelevance on Saturday evening. Nevertheless, good draws win races and there were a number of object lessons. 

Tuesday sees the remaining 24 runners across four quarter-finals, and the first three in each race will qualify for the semi-finals.  

Sky Sports 2 viewers will see all the races and the opening heats of a supporting Derby Plate on the undercard. 

Locally-trained Dorota’s Wildcat has the chance to put a few wrongs right in that competition. He looked as if he’d go a long way in the Derby when blasting around the track during the first round, and he’ll set a very stiff standard in this competition.

Let’s take a look at the Derby quarter-finals...

Quarter-final 1 (2021 BST)

1 Clares Rocket

Top-class in Ireland and unbeaten in this year’s Derby. Showed plenty of resolve to overcome bunching in third round and seems to be getting the hang of the track. 

2 Astute Missile

Stays further and delivered a gutsy effort to overcome trouble in running on Saturday. Hopes rely on clearing the red.   

3 Bruisers Bullet

Proven around Towcester and the last remaining Mark Wallis runner. Defeated Clares Rocket in a trial stakes from this trap and ran out a ready winner on Saturday despite being led up early.

4 Ballinakil Clare

Last bitch standing in the Derby. Likely to struggle with pace on either flank though she’s a clever tracker and may prosper if the pacier sorts flounder.

5 Shaneboy Freddie

Semi-finalist last year and still very capable despite his age. Fast from the boxes but tired rapidly behind Bruisers Bullet on Saturday and hard to see a reverse. 

6 Fweshfromthesesh (w)

A credit to his fledgling handler and still young enough to improve. Potentially unexposed and has claims if reproducing his first round effort.  

VERDICT: 3-1-6

A race hinging on whether Clares Rocket can get around the first bend without too much interference from the other railers. BRUISERS BULLET did the best time of the night on Saturday and he can make his experience around Towcester count. Fweshfromthesesh is still learning and can bag the final slot.

Quarter-Final 2 (2038 BST)

1 Droopys Buick

Proven competition performer who has extricated himself from peril on a couple of occasions thus far – latterly when missing the break. Ideally drawn on this occasion and a major player if turning handy.  

2 Crossfield Hugo

Flew out of the traps to progress into this round. Likeable but has plenty to find on the clock. 

3 Carn Brae

Looked a potential player during an emphatic victory in the second round.  Disappointing on Saturday (had lost almost 1kg between races) and loss of red jacket a worry.   

4 Newinn Blitz

Useful pup last year and ultra-consistent on his sectionals. Capable of nicking a race with his early pace and middle draw shouldn’t inconvenience. 

5 Swithins Brae

Took advantage of a dream run to lower colours of Jaytee Jet in the previous round.  Cannot rely on similar luck from this box though trainer has a fantastic record with his Derby runners. 

6 Forest Con (w)

Comfortably saw off his opposition in his first two rounds and was far from disgraced behind Tyrur Shay on Saturday. Taken well to Towcester and an obvious player if track runs fair. 

VERDICT: 1-6-4

It's hard to find a more popular dog in Britain than DROOPYS BUICK and having had various excuses during the competition, this is an obvious chance for him to finally put down a marker. Forest Con is progressing well and has done little wrong. Newinn Blitz could set it up for the pair. 

Quarter-Final 3  (2056 BST)

1 Danzey Exception

Unbeaten in the Derby and an amazing story for Hall Green’s Gary Hodson. No fluke about his victory in the third round and the combination of a swift exit and an inside draw should see him through.

2 Cable Bay

Veteran backrunner who will be attempting to reverse form with the two unbeaten protagonists. Has done well to get to this stage but has more to do. 

3 Droopys Acrobat

Impressive in his first-round success though comfortably held behind Tyrur Shay on Saturday. Fancied to clear the blue to the first bend but will he outrun the red?

4 Pacey Bambi

Arrived under the radar and his early pace has been a major reason why he brings a flawless record into this round. An obvious formbook chance in the weakest of the quarter-finals.   

5 Sallows Ford (w)

Prolific winner in top grade around Monmore. Produced a heroic effort to qualify from an unpromising position last weekend and needs to build upon that to pass this test. 

6 Murrys Act (w)

Finalist in the Coronation Cup at Romford over six bends. Ran better than his finishing position suggests on Saturday and could yet surprise from off the pace.       

VERDICT: 4-1-6

Paul Young has a great record in unearthing Derby finalists and PACEY BAMBI is doing everything right at present. With Droopys Acrobat likely to head to the rails, he should get plenty of room to race. Danzey Exception will be no pushover and he can force the issue.  Murrys Act can plug on when the others have cried enough.

Quarter-Final 4 (2113 BST)

1 Hiya Butt

Yet to find any of the ping breaks that propelled him to last year’s final though has shown plenty of heart to progress. A risky betting medium, though a danger to all if rediscovering his trapping boots.    

2 Coolavanny Mason

Already a Classic finalist at Shawfield and very much ‘won ugly’ in the third round. Cannot afford to give away lengths here.   

3 Airport Jumbo

Kept the dream alive for connections despite being unfancied by the punters (SPs of 33/1, 14/1 and 33/1). Layers will be happy to accommodate again.  

4 Slaheny King

In fine form at Hove but handed tough assignments against Priceless Brandy and Droopys Buick in this competition. Has smart middle gears but hasn’t totally convinced in his finishes. 

5 Tyrur Shay (m)

Was always going to be a big ask to improve upon his track record run in the second round and his finishing secured victory on Saturday. Doesn’t need to lead in order to win this and has obvious targets to aim at.  

6 Jaytee Jet (w)

2016 Derby winner and no questions to answer about his ability to handle the quick turnaround.  Tardy trapping and wide tracking have been far from ideal for his prospects of a repeat and tonight looks an acid test.    

VERDICT: 5-1-6  (NAP) 

Brut early speed saw Hiya Butt reach last year’s final and if he can secure any sort of run on the bunny, he’ll be very difficult to peg back. There’s no better finisher in this competition than TYRUR SHAY and it will a disappointment if he cannot progress again tonight. Jaytee Jet has a few questions at the moment and his class should see him through.

The action will be shown live on Sky Sports 2 on Tuesday - click here to place your bets on the outright market with Sky Bet, still offering 1/4 odds 1-2-3-4

Posted at 1050 BST on 19/06/17.