The Golden Jacket is one of the elite staying races in the greyhound calendar.
Contested every February over 714m at Crayford in the east end of London, it is targeted by all of the elite greyhound trainers in the UK and has been won by some famous names down the years.
First run at Harringay in 1975 over 660m, the Golden Jacket has grown significantly in stature. It was moved to Hall Green and Monmore Green in the mid-1980s but found a permanent home at its current venue in 1987 and is probably now the most competitive eight-bend race in the UK greyhound calendar.
Greyhound Racing Betting at Unibet
Bobs Regan was one of the big-name winners during the 1990s as the son of the legendary Ballyregan Bob won in 1991 and again a year later.
Wexford Minx is another dual winner of the event having been successful in 1994 and 1995.
Patchys Kerry stormed to victory in 2016 in an almost-unprecendented sub-45 seconds and 18 greyhounds will be looking to emulate his feat in three semi-finals this weekend.
2020 Ladbrokes Golden Jacket Semi Final Draw
Saturday 15th February
Heat 1
- Sheldan
- Sizzling Diva
- Swift Tarquin
- Sparta Master (m)
- Bubbly Bonita (w)
- Antigua Fire (w)
Heat 2
- Aayamza Express
- Beechgrove Bell
- Skilful Sandie
- Droopys Tulip (m)
- Affleck Bolt (m)
- Headford Charm (w)
Heat 3
- Desperado Dan
- Avastorm
- Goldies Hotspur (m)
- Shotgun Bullet (m)
- Antigua Rum (w)
- Roxholme Poppy (w)
Best Current 2020 Golden Jacket Odds
| Antigua Fire | 7/2 | |
| Roxholme Poppy | 5/1 | |
| Antigua Rum | 6/1 | |
| Skilful Sandie | 6/1 | |
| Sheldan | 10/1 | |
| Sparta Master | 12/1 | |
| Avastorm | 14/1 | |
| Shotgun Bullet | 18/1 | |
| Aayamza Express | 16/1 | |
| Desperado Dan | 16/1 | |
| Beechgrove Bell | 20/1 | |
| Goldies Hotspur | 20/1 | |
| Affleck Bolt | 20/1 | |
| Headford Charm | 33/1 | |
| Sizzling Diva | 33/1 | |
| Bubbly Bonita | 33/1 | |
| Swift Tarquin | 50/1 | |
| Droopy’s Tulip | 50/1 |
(Odds correct at 10.00 February 14)
Recent Golden Jacket Winners
| Year | Winner | Trainer |
| 2019 | Stardom | H Dimmock |
| 2018 | Shotgun Bullet | D Knight |
| 2017 | Boylesports Star | D Ruth |
| 2016 | Patchys Kerry | M Wallis |
| 2015 | Wiki Waki Woo | A Kibble |
| 2014 | Hometown Honey | M Wallis |
| 2013 | White Soks Roks | D Riordan |
| 2012 | Blue Bee | M Dartnall |
| 2011 | Bush Paddy | K Findlay |
| 2010 | Group Skater | P Hennessey |
| 2009 | Lorrys Options | D Childs |
| 2008 | Shelbourne Merc | B Clemenson |
| 2007 | Walk The Line | P Cusack |
| 2006 | Greenacre Lin | B Clemenson |
| 2005 | Milldean Clarky | B O’Sullivan |
| 2004 | Midway Tomsscout | H Chalkley |
2020 Golden Jacket Predictions
Mark Wallis took the training honours in the heats at Crayford last Saturday with Imperial Kennels landing a treble in the heats of the Ladbrokes Golden Jacket.
The 11-time champion trainer won with the Coronation Cup winner Antigua Rum (a general 7/1), last year’s Golden Jacket runner-up Antigua Fire and St Leger finalist Avastorm (a best 16/1) to give himself a strong hand in the contest heading into the semi-finals this Saturday.
Antigua Rum recorded the fastest time in the heats against tough opposition so is the general 7/2 favourite but bookmakers may have underestimated the 2018 winner SHOTGUN BULLET.
Derek Knight’s dog will retire at the end of the current campaign but the Golden Jacket format clearly suits the four-year-old as he reached the final again last year only to get an unfavourable high trap draw.
He’s rarely under-performed at Crayford and also won a competitive heat so there has to be some value at the 18/1 with Unibet.
Roxholme Poppy has also been popular with punters since the conclusion of the heats and is now a best 6/1.
