Get It Ready!

Byline: Richard Birch

Frisby can make a per fect summer even better

THE Greyhound Derby. A week of top-class racing from York. Real English strawberries - so much nicer than those artificial-tasting ones from Clog-land. Warm sunshine. Cherie Blair attracting adverse publicity on a daily basis. Sarah Greene back on TV. Surely life can't get any better than this?

Oh yes it can - at around 8.05pm tonight when Siesta Frisby runs rings round his William Hill Derby secondround opponents.

I've never been afraid to `go over a cliff' monetarywise with a horse or greyhound I fancy for the `crown jewels', and Siesta Frisby falls firmly into that category.

If this dog's 28.68sec trial stakes victory over course and distance on May 20 wasn't the most impressive performance on Wimbledon dirt this year, prior to Ballymac Pires's awesome effort last week, I'm going to commence legal action against Spec Savers for messing up my lenses!

The previous month Siesta Frisby had posted 28.48sec over Walthamstow's 475 metres. Of course, I know the circuit has been slightly modified this year, but even long-time track record-holder, the brilliant Westmead Chick, couldn't match that clocking which surely puts the dog's run into some perspective.

Siesta Frisby faces some seriously talented greyhounds tonight in Kent Derby winner Manera Spark, Scottish Derby finalist Bell Devotion, Irish ace Student P ass, and Racing Post Juvenile winner Toms View.

The last-named was particularly impressive in his first-round heat, but, drawn in the `coffin' box outside fast-up pair Student Pass and Bell Devotion, there is even less margin for error than parking a new car in the streets surrounding Villa P ark!

On the otherhand, Siesta Frisby possesses a trap-six draw that can only be described as `perfect' - just like the ride which `hoi hoi' Tony McCoy gave Whispering Secret at Huntingdon on Tuesday.

If he traps properly, the `Frisby' will lead and win; if he breaks half-decent, he'll still win. In both instances the bookies do their dough - this summer is getting even better! Blonde Boss - stop thinking about Sarah Greene, Birchy! - got my heart racing with a tenlength trial win late lastmonth, and improved further on that performance to impressively land his qualifier in 28.81sec.

Second-guessing which of Charlie Lister's powerful squad rates the great man's number one is proving more difficult than Ashley `tapped-up' Cole's position at Arsenal - what price he joins Real Madrid later this summer? - but it would certainly be no surprise if this improving railer made the final.

With big rival Mineola Farloe having suffered a setback last weekend - five stitches inserted in various cuts - confidence is sky-high in camp Birchy that Blonde Boss can make all the running in the 8.20pm. Richard Hannon reckons late-maturing Turnstile is an Ebor horse, and this fouryear-old owned by the Queen, can prove the point by running out an appropriate winner just days before the Royal meeting in Sandown's CBFM Handicap (4.50).

Expect Richard Hughes to adopt `waiting in front' tactics on Turnstile - the only other member of the 11strong field who likes to lie handy is fully-exposed Linens Flame - and kick clear straightening for home. This track lends itself perfectly to the successful execution of such manoeuvres.

Cape St Vincent showed a terrific turn of foot on firm ground to win a sprint handicap at Bath last month, and makes plenty of appeal, off just a 5lb higher mark, when he returns to the irrigation-less track for today's 32Redpoker.com Handicap (4.55).

Ryan Moore does the steering on a five-year-old who should have too much pace for Catch The Wind, a desperately unlucky loser at Sandown last time. Get in there!

n KERRIN MCEVOY has several great chances for Godolphin next week, and 11-4 with Ladbrokes for top jockey honours is attractive.

Birchy's bets

Today Siesta Frisby (9-4 with Ladbrokes and Bet365) (8.05 Wimbledon) HHHH Blonde Boss (2-1 with Ladbrokes) (8.20 Wimbledon)

HHH 

Turnstile (4.50 Sandown) HH Cape St Vincent (4.55 Bath) H

Birchy's bets are rated by strength, with four stars representing the strongest

Lay of the day Rakti (Queen Anne Stakes, Tuesday)

WHENEVER I back a horse under 6-4 I like to think it's bombproof - and that can never be the case with sometimes explosively brilliant, always quirky Rakti.

Just listen to what Michael Jarvis says about his stable star: ``He's a horse of moods, and gets wound-up like an elastic band.

``You know that he's going to snap so it's just a case of waiting and praying.'' 4-6 anyone? Rakti is also best fresh (that's why he was so impressive at Newbury), hates any ground without the word `firm' in it (York have often overwatered in the past, and showers are forecast), and usually gives trouble at the stalls.

You punt Rakti at 4-1. You lay him at 4-6.

Get it on early England (to win the World Cup)

NEWC ASTLE'S pathetic young `hoodies' may have treated former England boss Sir Bobby with total disrespect during the latter part of his managerial spell on Tyneside, but the overwhelming majority will always listen to a man of his knowledge and standing.

Take note, then, of what he said earlier this week: ``England will be hard to beat in the World Cup next year.''

My God! He's right! The Three Lions will always score goals via Rooney, Owen and Lampard. Neville, Terry, Cole and Ferdinand provide a rock-solid back four. No calamities occur with Robinson between the posts.

Sven's record in meaningful matches is excellent. There's no hot climate to worry about. Most firms are now around the 8-1 mark - so take it.

Making it pay

This week: Royal Ascot at York

DON'T make the potentially fatal mistake of believing it's Royal Ascot next week because it isn't - it's York. The track is left-handed rather than right-handed; the groundstaff are different; draw and pace biases are different; you'll hear sozzled Wakefield `eeoops' from females in the silver ring as opposed to Basildon `cor blimeys'.

The FA Cup and England internationals lost 75 per cent of their attraction when Wemberley remained out of commission, so let's hope rebuilding the Berkshire course is completed sooner rather than later.

Fortunately, a 5-1 winner at York pays exactly the same as a 5-1 winner at Royal Ascot as punters will find out after

The Tatling wins Tuesday's King's Stand Stakes for the second consecutive year.

Milton Bradley's sprinter has one victory and three seconds from

five runs on the Knavesmire to his credit, and blew up in his prep race at Sandown last time out.

Godolphin habitually target this meeting, and Shamardal looks to have everything in his favour in Tuesday's St James's P alace Stakes (he should replace stablemate Dubawi) while Blue

Spinnaker, already advised at 16-1 for the Royal Hunt Cup on Wednesday, remains an ultra-confident each-way selection.

The form book strongly points to Westerner's chance in Thursday's Gold Cup, while Swift Sailor, a typically progressive, tough-asteak Mark Johnston stayer, makes maximum punting appeal for Tuesday's Ascot Stakes. A little bird tells me he went to Musselburgh last time having missed two vital pieces of work.

CAPTION(S):

Turnstile can do his Ebor prospects plenty of good at Sandown this afternoon; Rakti: bombproof?