Tonight’s Arsenal v Man U match looks too tight to call, with the draw being backed into 23/10. Manchester are 2/7 to qualify for the final, but the value must lie with Arsenal at 3/1 in a tie that could go either way.

Tonight’s card at Peterborough is live on Sky Sports 2, with the feature race off at 9:45pm.

3/1 Barnfield Rocky

Should be sent off the favourite and can be forgiven his third to Freedom Obama in Heat 6. At the odds I prefer Droopys Alvaro, but he can at least withstand the charge of Westmead Grant at 4/6 with Sky Bet.

5/1 Westmead Carl

Couldn’t land a blow in the semi-final, despite being drawn in Trap 1.

10/3 Droopys Alvaro

Bet365 have recently cut their 7/2 about Droopys Alvaro, but Skybet are taking him on at 10/3. The local runner will probably be sent off at shorter odds, so get your money on now. The draw isn’t a concern but he’ll need to break quickly.

Sharon Sabreton will have him primed for a big run and you shouldn’t read into the face that Mountjoy Jasper’s semi final win came in a marginally quicker time.

5/1 Mountjoy Jasper

Beat Freedom Obama by eight lengths on his semi-final, but surely he won’t be able to make all of the running from Trap 4. Passed over, but could run into second place.

16/1 Freedom Obama

No form to suggest that he even has an each-way chance. Rank outsider.

7/2 Westmead Grant

Beat Droopys Alvaro by a head in Heat 3, but will find it difficult breaking from Trap 6. Barnfield Rocky should confirm the semi-final form, when the two dogs broke from the same traps as tonight.

Well bred, out of Mega Delight.

Recommendation:

2pts win @ 3/1 Droopys Alvaro (Stan James, Victor Chandler, Bet365)

bookies.com also compares antepost greyhound racing odds:

• 2009 Greyhound Derby Betting
• Skybet Peterborough Puppy Derby Final Betting
• 5 May Peterborough Card

Bookies Blog Easter Cup tip, 14/1 Advantage Johnny, is now your 5/2 co-favourite for this Saturday’s big race!

Johnny won his semi-final on Saturday night by 2 lengths, returning at a juicy 5/1 SP.

Oran Classic finished 3rd at 9/4, and is now an 11/4 shot in the Easter Cup betting.

We won’t be seeing Dog of the Year Shelbourne Aston on Saturday, after he was eliminated.

The 2/1 favourite finished 4th in the other semi, meaning that the rank outsider Tip And Tin (16/1) has a place in the final.

bookies.com compares antepost greyhound racing odds:

• Easter Cup Betting
• Scottish Derby Betting
• 2009 Greyhound Derby Betting

Dog racing fans have the BCR Print Management Easter Cup to look forward to on 18 April at Shelbourne Park, as well as the Scottish Derby which is just around the corner.

The €120,000 Easter Cup is already underway – the Round 2 heats were contested on Grand National Day.

Antepost betting is offered from Corals, Victor Chandler, Boyles and Paddy Power. 

Shelbourne Aston is the 9/2 favourite – unsurprising given that he’s Dog of the Year. He has won both the Irish Derby and the Champion Stakes.

He swept late to beat Advantage Johnny (14/1) late in his first heat in 29.89, but Johnny reversed that form on Saturday.

Shelbourne Aston was sent off at odds of 9/4, but could only manage 3rd behind Advantage Johnny and Fatboyz Nodrog, who won in 29.96.

Fatboyz Nodrog is 7/1 with Paddy Power, but Shelbourne Aston tends to improve as the competitions progress.

That said ADVANTAGE JOHNNY is the tip, having finished 2nd in both of his heats from wide draws. He should make the final cut.

Faypoint Man is also fancied at 5/1, but he could only manage 2nd in his weak first round heat. Trainer Owen McKenna also has 16/1 Blackstone Gene and Side Bet left in the Easter Cup.

Oran Classic is 6/1 and has won both of his heats from Trap 3 so far. 

Victor Chandler are taking on Ballymac Under at 14/1, who is as low as 8/1 with Boyles.

The semi-finals are at 9.40 and 9.55 this Saturday: 25/1 Tip And Tin, 14/1 Side Bet and 14/1 Mid West Blue are all drawn wide. 

Recommendation:

2pts win @ 14/1 Advantage Johnny (Corals)

bookies.com compares antepost greyhound racing odds:

• Easter Cup Betting
• Scottish Derby Betting
• 2009 Greyhound Derby Betting

Sky Sports 3 – 9.45pm – CORAL ESSEX VASE – Romford

1. 12/1 BOMBER BLUE

Triumphant in the Produce Stakes at Hall Green, but needs to improve if he wants to get in the money. Probably should be a shorter price because of his draw, but the betting hinges on whether he can lead in the first turn.

2. 7/1 SHERRIES BOY

Come back well from a lay-off and is difficult to rule this one out after the year that Tony Collett has had. Ran well last time out to beat Bubbly Rambo by 5 lengths and warrants respect now that he finally has a better draw. Sherries Boy is 3/1 to win the race without the favourite.

3. Vacant

4. 10/1 BRICKFIELD DREAM

Should make the running and could well spring a surprise. Only lost to Bubbly Totti by half a length, and is more than capable of turning the tables on the favourite. At a tight track like Romford, I reckon this dog should be more like a 5/1 chance. I say that because he has the vacant trap 3 on his inside which he can work to his advantage and then take an early lead. If there is carnage in running behind him, he could make all for Ernie Gaskin.

5. 5/2 DROOPYS CARVALHO

Comes from off the pace and won the Sussex Cup in July. Classy round 4 bends, his odds reflect his great semi-final performance. He is the even money favourite to win without Bubbly Totti, currently available at Ladbrokes.

6. 6/5 BUBBLY TOTTI

SkyBet are the only firm to go odds-against Totti this morning, with others making him an even money chance. Bubbly Totti is 7/2 to be Greyhound of the Year, and trainer Ted Soppitt has previously stated that he is the best dog he’s ever had. He proved by winning the St Leger at Wimbledon that he is classy, and the betting suggests that he will be too good for the other contenders. The reason why he isn’t odds-on is the track itself, which is unforgiving. Totti likes to come from off the pace, so may not be entirely suited by the stiff track. If he finds himself last at turn one, he may just find another dog too good for him on the night.

If you fancy this one to win, why not head over to Coral to bet on his winning distance instead. Under 1 3/4 lengths is 7/2, although there are other distances available in the betting.

Recommendation:

1pt each way 10/1 Brickfield Dream

bookies.com compares odds for all greyhounds racing in the UK, including tonight’s televised action at Romford:

7.40 Betting

8.00 Betting

8.15 Betting

8.35 Betting

8.50 Betting

9.10 Betting

9.25 Betting

9.45 Coral Essex Vase Betting

Antepost Greyhounds:

Comerford Cakes National Puppy Betting

William Hill Oaks Betting

2009 Greyhound Derby Betting

Arsenal dazzled Wigan 3-0 last night, but Manchester United needed a Carlos Tevez penalty to beat QPR. Tonight’s feature match is Tottenham v Liverpool, where punters are ploughing money into Harry Redknapp’s side. Spurs were 2/1 yesterday, but are 13/8 at the moment. To give you an idea about the betting mood, Blue Square have a special makret for ‘When will Tottenham lose their first match under Harry Redknapp?’

Our attention turns towards the dogs tonight, the William Hill All England Cup Final in particular. The race is 1 of 8 to be televised on Sky Sports 3 tonight. bookies.com are giving you a trap by trap guide to the feature race at 9.45pm.

Sky Sports 3 – 9.45pm – WILLIAM HILL ALL ENGLAND CUP FINAL

1. 8/1 Eye Onthe Brave

Trap 1 has had a 40% strike rate in the big race, so you wouldn’t bet against Eye Onthe Brave. He was impressive when he got the better of Affleck Elite and has posted some nippy times. At 8/1, he could be the one to trouble the favourite.

2. 11/10 Boherna Best 

Favourites have won 50% of the runnings and Bonhera Best is certainly a worthy one. He has not stopped improving and see the trip out well. He has the early pace and should lead off the first bend. On course punters will be hoping that he can add another piece of silverware to his bulging cabinet.

3. 25/1 Coolavanny Smoke

Only 2 of the last 10 winners returned odds bigger than 5/2 and it is easy to discount this long shot.

4. 7/4 Dotland Hit Man

He did well in the semis to beat Trap 1, but I’d rather take the latter in a match bet. Dotland Hit Man has been inconsistent and will find it difficult to find a good position into the first bend. A definite threat to the favourite if everything falls into place, but I won’t be taking any 7/4.

5. 12/1 Eye Onthe Pulse

Mark Wallis prefers the chances of Eye Onthe Brave, so a win would come as a great surprise.Traps 3 and 5 haven’t produced a winner in over 10 years.

6.10/1 Droopys Carvalho

Won the Sussex Cup in July and even reached the Yarmouth Derby decider. Still, he was beaten by comprehensively by the favourite last time out, so you wouldn’t back this one in a match bet.The trainer is hopeful for a big run, coming from off the pace.

Recommendation:

1pt ew 8/1 Eye Onthe Brave

bookies.com compares odds on greyhound racing every day. There are some cracking supporting races at Newcastle this evening, meaning that the bookies are offering terrific betting margins as good as 101%.

Carling Cup Winner Betting

Tottenham v Liverpool Match Betting

William Hill All England Cup Final Betting

Newcastle Evening Bags Betting