Three through to Laurels semi finals

The big horse race of the day is the World renowned Arc de Triomphe and had an ante post bet a few weeks ago at just over 14/1 on last year's second Youmzain, at least he has shown he is suited by the hurly burly of the race itself and acts on the track (was second last year) though his draw towards the outside could have been much better.
That said he usually does come with a late run so might not be the inconvenience it would be to a more prominent runner, will be hoping for a bit of pace to the race to bring the finishers into play as theres always the chance of it being a fairly slowly run event in France due to the way races pan out over there traditionally.
Almost went in on the favourite Zarkava when she was trading around 7/2 but she sneaked another run without me noticing and was soon 7/4 so had to leave that one out of the equation, she is up against the colts here too so however impressive she has been this will almost certainly be a tougher test than previously.
The Youmzain bet was one of my last ones on Betfair so if it did come in think I'd draw it out in £10 stages just so it costs them a bit more in administration costs, its the least I could do lol. Also topped up with an each way bet with the traditional bookmakers too.
Theres some good stuff about the Premium Charge on the forums today, keep up the fight lads, but no sign of any kind of u-turn as yet which means that you still have no real idea of the actual odds you are taking if you are caught in the net any time, its hard enough sussing out what is value and what isnt without some incomprehensible formula kicking in a few days down the line and knocking a good slice of whatever odds you did take. While ever this process is in effect, I simply will not bet there and urge you to do the same if at all possible, it flies against the whole ethos of successful betting strategy.
The Irish Greyhound Laurels quarter finals were held last night and I managed to get three out of my four remaining contenders through into next Saturdays semis.
The one to miss out was Good Boy Errol who I added as an each way outsider last week but he missed the kick and could only stay on into fourth place in his heat.
Its the top three that qualify and my other selections managed to do the business, Cabra Cool was an impressive winner in heat two as he flashed out of the traps and led throughout. Chicken Supper was hampered by the winner at the start and was perhaps a bit lucky to sneak into third place on this occasion when two dogs were involved in scrimmaging at the first bend and both ended on the deck.
Meanwhile in the big clash of the night in heat four, the top three in the ante post market went head to head and despite a bit of a tardy start, my pick Slip The Lark showed fine pace to lead around the first bend before eventually tiring on the testing surface due to heavy rain during the evening and being edged out by Side Bet on the run in.
That was good enough anyhow and hopefully he will get more favourable conditions in the remaining races to come.
He seems to have a much more favourable draw in the semi final, though with one of my other bets Chicken Supper immediately on his inside, just hope they can both get the run of the race.
In the other semi next week, Cabra Cool has drawn the inside pitch and will need to get one of his usual flying starts with another early paced dog Solinus in the number two box.
On to the snooker its currently 5-5 between Walden and O Sullivan so still have some hope for my outright bet; the bet I had at big odds for the first frame for Ricky didnt materialise though as he never managed a point, converesly he went on to win the next three frames, typical!!
Might just go up to the snooker club tonight for a couple of frames to top up the practice for the first match of the season tomorrow which is a local derby against the team that beat us 3-1 in the friendly last week, cant see anything but a similar result this time around though unfortunately!!
All the best for now
Rick