Rubbing my hands in anticipation

While most peoples eyes will probably be on the Leger today, I'm gonna gloss over that one as until I've properly gotten up to date with the nags, not going to start analysing any of the individual races just yet, looks a bigger field than the norm this year but you would have thought the advantage would lie with one or two of the market leaders.
Wigan made it through to the next round of the Super League play offs last night but realistically I think the small outlay I had on them outright will be staying in the bookies satchels.
Traditionally, the Grand Final goes to one of the top two teams, a very big factor being that the lower down the league ladder you finish, the more games you play in a brutally physical sport so injuries tend to come into play for the lower placed teams which weakens them somewhat by the time they play the big boys waiting in the wings (Pat Richards stretchered off last night to confirm the point).
Highlight of the day for me is the Irish Greyhound Derby Final tonight at Shelbourne, televised live on Sky.
Only tend to play the big greyhound competitions myself in the main but this one has really captured my imagination.
Fair enough, perhaps the most charismatic of all the dogs, College Causeway, was unfortunately knocked out of contention in the semi finals but it transpires he has a shoulder injury (not sure if it was caused by that incident) so at least we have a six dog final which is preferable to an empty box.
I did have "College" as one of my ante post picks but have fared quite well nevertheless, the other flying finisher Shelbourne Aston is through for me at around 40/1 unfortunately backed on Betfair which would probably take me deep into premium charge waters (lol) so maybe I shouldnt be cheering too hard.
Also I have early paced Slip The Lark (33/1) backed after round one and have since added Headley Bridge (5/1) to win a small amount at the quarter final stage and finally English raider Ballymac Ruso (7/2) to break even as further insurance yesterday.
The other contenders are rank outsider Macchu Picchu and the other fast starter Advantage Johnny.
Johnny and Lark are the two flying early pace dogs in the race but equally neither get home well enough to come from behind, so their chances will be won and lost up to the first bend. Lark for me is the fastest if he hits the traps though sometimes he just loses a length out of the box which he cant afford to do here.
Johnny built up a massive lead in the semi last week yet only held on by a fast diminishing half length from Headleys Bridge and wouldnt be so sure he will get so far clear with fast dogs on his inside this time around.
Headleys Bridge has been one of the more impressive dogs of the event, he has a good mixture of pace and stamina and looks closely matched with Ballymac Ruso on previous runnings. Ruso has the advantage of being drawn inside the slow starting Shelbourne Aston so ought to go up well, alot depends if he can get out clear of the outside dogs who will be cutting across, if he does he will be in a good position.
Aston may not have much early and seems likely to be last up to halfway unless theres trouble in running but is an absolute powerhouse from thereon, finishing with rocket speed two to every one of the other dogs, so if he is anywhere near them on the final bend it should make the hairs of your neck stand on end.
Of all the semi final performances, his was probably the best, he was the dog that actually collided with Causeway, having been hampered by Headleys Bridge himself, but flew up the run in to be only a length behind the latter dog in a close third.
So in one of the most open races for years I'll be cheering a hefty win if either Lark or Aston lifts the prize, two more contrasting dogs you couldn't find but hopefully things will fall into place for one of them.
Heres hoping anyhow.
All the best, Rick