Bookmakers prefer Artisan for Gymcrack
BLUE ARTISAN is generally favourite for the Newton Abbot Racecourse Gymcrack after bookmakers went up on the prestigious puppy competition which starts with six heats over 480m at Hall Green’s Bags fixture on Wednesday.
Trained by Harry Williams, the July 2008 whelp has a tough draw on paper in the opening round as the railer goes from trap five in heat two, but he showed his well-being last week when clocking a very smart 28.55sec (+10) in a 480m trial at Newcastle.
His main challengers in the outright market are Droopys Bradley, a first round williamhill.com Derby elimination who subsequently posted a stunning 28.19sec (-10) trial over this course and distance, and Little Sensation, beaten favourite in the bettor.com Peterborough Puppy Derby final behind Total Reality but still quoted less than half the price of that rival for this event.
*The first three in each heat qualify for the semis seven days later from which the first two progress to the live-on-Sky Sports £6,000 final on Tuesday, June 8.
