2023 Greyhound Derby final betting: Swords Rex red-hot favourite
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We’re taking a look at the 2023 Greyhound Derby final betting as we assess the six contenders gunning for Towcester glory.
These are the remaining dogs aiming to join legends like Mick The Miller, Patricias Hope, Rapid Ranger and Westmead Hawk on the Greyhound Derby winners list.
Trap 1: Cochise @ 33/1
Boasts a Category One triumph on his extensive CV, but that was in the Cesarewitch over 708 metres at Central Park and just getting this far over four bends has been an incredible achievement. Opened up the competition with a couple of nice victories but has been third in each of the past three rounds as the pace hots up and needs lots of luck in running to trouble the market leaders in the Greyhound Derby final betting.
Trap 2: Gaytime Nemo @ 8/1
Wasn’t one of Graham Holland’s leading fancies heading into this competition, boasting just four wins from 11 outings in Ireland, but has really enjoyed his time at Towcester. Was a first-round scorer in 28.95 and took advantage of trouble in behind to claim a wide-margin quarter-final victory in 28.94. Was no match for Clona Duke last weekend but a swift start and bunching further across to his right could see him enter calculations at generous odds.
Trap 3: Romeo Command @ 4/1
Belgian-born handler Patrick Janssens trains at Towcester and knows what it takes to land the sport’s blue riband event, having struck with Thorn Falcon two years ago. Romeo Command rattled off eight straight wins before being upset in a trial stake here but bounced back by coming out on top in four consecutive rounds. Couldn’t get near Swords Rex last Saturday following a tardy start but has a 28.75 success to his credit and this strong-running dog will hope to get inside the favourite at the first bend.
𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀/𝗧𝗥𝗖 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝘆𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗲𝗿𝗯𝘆
Semi-Final 2🥇 T5 Swords Rex
🥈 T4 Romeo Command
🥉 T6 Ninja Kerry⏱ 28.76
𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗥𝗣𝗚𝗧𝗩 ➡️ https://t.co/Gv627HZycN
🔞 18+ | https://t.co/Wxnsr1iM1A pic.twitter.com/oicOUlRP5W
— @RPGreyhounds (@RPGreyhounds) June 24, 2023
Trap 4: Swords Rex @ 4/6
Holland took the trophy back to Ireland 12 months ago and is strongly fancied to repeat the trick. Swords Rex began the competition as 10/1 favourite after setting a then Towcester track record of 28.76 in a trial stakes and has only enhanced his reputation with five smooth successes in the competition proper. He quickly took control of proceedings to score in 28.93 three times and 28.95 before blasting out and blazing a trail in the second semi-final, scorching around in 28.76 again. Has already won two big finals on the Emerald Isle and will be hard to beat if breaking as well as usual in the decider.
Trap 5: Clona Duke @ 3/1
Set Towcester alight when scorching to a 28.73 triumph in the first round but was then merely workmanlike, rather than spectacular, in his next three races. However, Holland’s proven performer recaptured his sparkle in the opening semi by romping home nearly five lengths clear in a sensational 28.69. The sectional times suggest he will struggle to clear kennel mate Swords Rex on the run to the turn, but Clona Duke sprang a 20/1 surprise when successful in last October’s Juvenile Derby Final at Shelbourne Park, so write him off at your peril here.
𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀/𝗧𝗥𝗖 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝘆𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗲𝗿𝗯𝘆
Semi-Final 1🥇 T2 Clona Duke
🥈 T1 Gaytime Nemo
🥉 T4 Cochise⏱ 28.69 (Track Record)
𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗥𝗣𝗚𝗧𝗩 ➡️ https://t.co/Gv627HZycN
🔞 18+ | https://t.co/Wxnsr1iM1A pic.twitter.com/GCU8Vbi2rX
— @RPGreyhounds (@RPGreyhounds) June 24, 2023
Trap 6: Ninja Kerry @ 33/1
Went round second behind Swords Rex in the semis but had his limitations exposed and was eventually beaten by five and a half lengths in third. A nice turn of early pace has helped him to belie some big prices by continually qualifying in place positions and connections will be more than happy with getting the striped jacket, but surely this is a bridge too far.
All odds correct at time of publication
