33-1 Buddy set to prove a friend to Romford punters.

Byline: Jonathan Kay

LENSON JOKER should continue on his path to a successful title defence by making light work of the opposition in the opening semi-final of the Coral Champion Stakes over 575m at Romford tonight (8.53, live in Coral betting shops).

Tony Collett's charge is rated an 8-15 charge by Coral to follow up Friday's impressive heat victory, which itself came on the back of a fine win here in a minor buildup competition, and it is not hard to see why.

He is running nearly as well now as when at the peak of his powers 12 months ago en route to overall Greyhound of the Year glory, and should be on the premises from the off before pulling clear early on the final circuit.

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Westmead Tina was no match for Lenson Joker in the heats, but Nick Savva's bitch faces far less exalted opposition in the second semi at 9.09 and can continue her fine rehabilitation since having her card marked at Sunderland a couple of months ago.

However, kennelmate Westmead Ace may find the John Mullinstrained Droopys Carvalho a bit speedy early in the third at 9.25, where Bubbly Totti also has to enter the equation.

Sponsors Coral have also priced up the supporting Champions Night Standard over 400m - heat prices will be available today - and there was something of a doubletake when Me Buddy appeared in the list as one of the three rank outsiders at 33-1. It is fair to say Matt Dartnall's charge has been well below his 2008 form in a light campaign this time around, but he did open his account for the year with a shorthead course and distance victory on Friday when slow underfoot conditions would not have played to his speedy strengths.

He goes in a competitive opening heat at 8.03, but definitely has scope for considerable improvement with that confidence-boosting success under his belt, so a speculative wager at the doublecarpet on offer outright surely has to be the order of the day.

Glengar Clover is two from three when drawn on the fence at Romford and Chris Duggan's charge can further enhance that record by taking heat two at 8.19, while Bubbly Bullet will hopefully be none the worse for Friday's tumble here and gets the vote in the third at 8.35.

Elsewhere, the other racing of particular note is at Yarmouth's evening Bags card, where the first two trial stakes for next month's Betfair East Anglian Derby are being staged over the 462m course.

Recommendation Me Buddy 1pt 33-1 Coral Romford Champions Night Standard Coral: 5 Kinda Handy, Lethal Spurs, 6 Glengar Clover, 8 Bonville Stan, Bubbly Bullet, 10 Risky Invader, 14 Barnfield Chubby, Classy Deposit, Courtenay Ranger, Futuristic Geeza, 16 Shrewd Diamond, 20 Directors Call, 25 Black Ice Boss, Droopys Alvaro, Mays Rocknroller, 33 Kingsmill Beau, Liscahane Billy, Me Buddy.

Champion Stakes Semis Coral - 8.53: 8-15 Lenson Joker, 7-2 Corrig Count, 8 Raithby Syrah, 10 Bubbly Rambo, Jaytee Holly, 25 Cranham Star.

9.09: 7-4 Westmead Tina, 7-2 Kinda Easy, 4 Glenard Sunrise, 5 Black On Air, 6 Bumble Lee, 8 Mountjoy Opal. 9.25: 2 Bubbly Totti, Droopys Carvalho, 3 Westmead Ace, 9-2 Go Big Hitter, 10 White Blaze.

Champion Stakes form and latest betting, page 78

CAPTION(S):

Me Buddy looks the value call at Romford