Saturday's card featured the Grand Prix final, where last years winner Romford
Car Two again qualified for the final.
There was
three challenging for the lead at the first bend in the Div 2
430m opener. Pennys
Valentino won that particular battle, but could not hold Pork
Pie, who took over at the 3rd bend and was joined on the line by
Tanner
Butler, who was particularly unlucky. Tanner
Butler got hammered at the second bend, but finished with a real
flourish.
Div 1 of the novice
stayers featured an impressive winner in the Seamus Cahill trained Go
Princess. I suggested this might be one to follow in an earlier
report, but somehow managed to let her go off un-backed. Go
Princess broke very smartly and beat Ingenious
just over six lengths.
Killer
Keane was another very impressive winner in the next open race.
A modest break was followed by a nice burst of early speed and the
others did not see which way he went.
The stewards
cup marathon saw a few different leaders. First up was Smooth
Darika who led the field until fading at the 7th, Astute
Star briefly hit the front at this point as the field all
bunched up. The favourite Westminster
Taj had looked a most unlikely winner early in the race, but as
they bunched up nearing the 7th bend, he got a pitch on the rails
and led on the run in.
Gottabe
Rooney made all to land the Div 1 430m open. Legal
Major challenged at the wrong point (3rd bend) and lost a little
ground. He was a little unlucky and lost out by a neck.
Toosey
Blue looked poised to spring a big surprise in the puppy
standard. He broke well and led until his steering went awry at the
final bend. This allowed Directors
Chair to seize the initiative on the run in. Those that had
taken the short odds must have aged a bit watching this race.
Charlie
Lister's Drimeen
Rumble was a very impressive winner of the Stewards cup stayers
race. He led at the first and drew clear of his field. He won by
eight lengths and stopped the clock in a fast 39.69.
The
Div 2 standard saw a surprising leader in Who
Needs Wings. Once he got in front the result was never in doubt
and he beat the checker Discreet
Cat comfortably. If they ever get Discreet
Cat sound, I believe he would carry all before him at the Stow.
Droopys
Kan Kan made the running in the Maxi Marathon before Blackmagic
Maisy took over at the 7th bend and won quite well. The
favourite Slaneyside
Demon was badly outpaced early and made some late ground to
finish a distant second.
Nightshade
made all to land the Div 1 standard open. Snazzy
Rover could never land a blow and checked at the 3rd bend in
behind.
Some of the judges at the stow (not me this
time) landed a right touch in the Stewards cup final. Ladbrokes put Mitzie
up at a generous looking 14-1. Those who phoned up and tried to get
anything on of any significance were knocked back. The shrewdies
done the shops route. A pony here and a pony there. Rumours
suggested that the Racing Post's Mr Bullen had got up early. A man
matching his description was seen in a number of shops snapping up
the prices about Mitzie
and Classy
Star. (Should have had the cast!) GetitReady wearing a number of
disguises, did an awful lot of shopping yesterday! He came in the
hideaway (paddock) bar at the end of the night and revealed an absolute
fistful of Mitzie tickets. Nice one Gerry, well played Sir! Anyway,
back to the race itself. January
Tiger broke averagely moved off at the second bend and was
crowded. That put paid to his chances. Roswell
Bluesky led at the second bend, before Romford
Car Two took it up going into the 5th bend. Romford
Car Two dwelt up and the stayers Mitzie
and Classy
Star took over. Mitzie's
winning time of 40.02 told it's own story.
Farloe
Focus made all to land the veterans event. Clonbrin
Show challenged at the 3rd bend, but could not get on terms.
Lode
Star won the Div 2 novice stayers event with a smash break. He
made all and comfortably held off the klingon dog Corcra
Agus Or. You may find this website handy when cheering this dog
on. EKP