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WESTMEAD OSPREY IMPOSSIBLE TO OPPOSE

ABOVE: Westmead Osprey (9.45) is impossible to oppose

2nd February 2010

By Jim Austin

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WESTMEAD Osprey (9.45), boasting an incredible eight from eight record at the galloping track including last year’s Produce Stakes, is impossible to oppose in tonight’s £8,000 Betfair Arc final over 480m at Swindon.

Nick Savva’s dog missed the second half of last year through injury sustained during the opening round of the Sussex Cup at Hove in mid-July, but has made a full recovery and is arguably in the form of his life.

It has been demolition-act after demolition-act from Westmead Osprey throughout the preliminaries, winning the three stages en route to tonight’s decider each by the best-part of six lengths.

Admittedly, trap one would have afforded him more of a cushion of comfort as he is not renowned as a lid pinger, but there’s been nothing wrong with his trapping since his return to the track and, despite being into his fourth year, if Savva can keep him sound and in the kind of form he is currently in, he could be contesting many more majors this season.

Betting (Betfair): 8-13 Westmead Osprey, 5 Gilbeyhall Jake, 11-2 Farloe Titan, 13-2 Klockwork Kyla, 20 Grillagh Guru, 33 Lifes Burble. Hill Tipoki’s (9.25) Arc challenge was aborted in the second round but he has since paid a visit to Sittingbourne’s winner’s enclosure and could be best placed to take a competitive 509m contest.

The entire field are all decent in their own right and much could come down to how the race pans out, with John Mullins’ all-rounder fancied to sidestep any scrimmaging that looks a distinct possibility midfield by keeping himself deep on the track. Raving Black (9.10), three times a winner from trap four, can improve that tally.

He may not be as cosily drawn as when landing a few hefty bets at Hall Green on Prestige final night last week, but Seamus Cahill’s dog is arguably in the form of his life and should soon be racing close to the pace from where he can bring his mid-race kick into play.

The late Stuart Locke Hart was honoured at the industry awards night on Sunday for his life-long services to the sport, and his Freedom Emma (8.50) would be a fitting winner. Jimmy Lollie’s (8.35) achievements of the past 12 months were also acknowledged as he picked up the Sprinter of the Year gong and he can record his second win of this campaign.