Classy debutant Blackstone Billy 

is one to follow

Walthamstow Report 24 May 2007

Thursday featured a fair open card, featuring the Test final. 

The opening Div 3 435m standard featured a re-match between Legal Major, Kindred Sparky and Gottabe Rooney. Kindred Sparky broke well again and made all despite running wide at the last turn. Legal Major broke poorly this week and gamely ran on to lose out by just a short head.

In the Div 2 hurdles, Ronnies Callum was sent off a short priced favourite after a few shoddy efforts.  Fear Blackjack impeded him slightly at the start. Ronnies Callum hit the front at the 3rd turned, but could not sustain the gallop. Shelbourne Magic led to the 3rd and took up the invitation to lead again as Ronnies Callum faded on the run in.

Snazzy Time broke well (as usual) in the Div 1 hurdles event, but slowed up going in to the first bend??? Strong Flow swung round in front and held off Snazzy Time from the last bend. Snazzy Time ran on quite well.

Daisyfield Seani was sent off a very short priced favourite in the stayers event and despite a modest start, ran out a comfortable winner. Swift Michael led until between the 4th and 5th bends and unfortunately finished lame on the run in.Xamax Capel kept on for second.

Fear Mykeo led from start to finish in the Div 3 standard. She never seemed to be really stretching out to be honest. The admirable Pork Pie kept on well enough for second. Emporio Caesar was out with the washing early doors and was also crowded at the second bend. He stayed on ok for a close 3rd.

Droopys Boss took his time to get on terms in the Div 2 puppy standard. Bigwood Sheriff broke well and led until the run in. This was a promising run. Droopys Boss always looked like he had enough in the locker and swooped by near the line.

Courts Ad Queen produced a superb burst of early pace in the Div 2 standard. Returning from a long layoff, she ran an absolute blinder. The lack of fitness told late on and one of Mr Bullen's favourites War Of Attrition swooped late on to land the spoils. Tanner Butler ran a very disappointing race. Ronnies Champion checked off at the second bend and was never in the race.

Mr St Pier should have banked a good few sovereigns in the marathon. He was stuck at the bar and was denied a clear run. Appearing late at the start he said "Bubbly Casino does not stay this trip, I meant to lay this one!" He failed to get the reddies on.  Bubbly Casino capitulated from the near the 7th bend and was beaten out of sight. Silbury Ruby had been running sour for some weeks, but found herself in front here and won comfortably.

 Blackstone Billy made an impressive winning debut in the Div 1 maiden. He'd already won seven races in Ireland and had also ran some smart trials. I doubt he'll be a stranger to the winning enclosure in the coming weeks. Bubbly Midas's Irish form was a few grades below Blackstone Billy, but little could be read from this performance. Bubbly Midas broke poorly and checked off at the second bend and finished down the khazi. 

Royal Officer ran out the winner of an open looking Div 1 puppy standard. He was modestly away and crowded on the run up, but kept on to take up the running at the 4th. Larkhill Jackie towed him on until running wide off the last bend and presenting the race to Royal Officer. Bubbly Magic was smashed up at the first bend and the bubbly mob suffered a miserable evening.

Hee Haws Cantona took a good strike rate into the Div 1 standard.  He broke very well and led the field a merry dance. Journey North was clumsy when challenging between the last two turns, but was left in front on the run in as Hee Haws Cantona faded on the run in.  

January Tiger rolled back the year in the Test final and made all the running for a comfortable success. He did so at four years old. Big Brett Coal (BBC) had been in brilliant form in recent weeks, but had a tough draw here. BBC ran a very very long way below his best form. Classy Star stayed on well for second and Ceroc Gypsy ran very respectively in third. 

Fenland Lark stayed on to win the Div 2 maiden, despite running wide and suffering some crowding at the second bend. Paid In Cash showed some smart early and led until the run in.

Favourite punters were sent home happy as Droopys Darina made all as a short priced jolly. Clonbony Jubub held every chance in second.

Last updated: 13 Jun 2008 by Stow judge Contact