Thursday's card was an ok open card, with a few
moderate maidens.
The track was turned over yesterday, with there
being no trials. This slowed down the times back to normal, compared
to the good old days. Breaking 29 seconds for 475m and and 40
seconds for 640m used to be the bench marks.
Myella
Honcho started well and led round in the opening 435 open. Westmead
Prince started slowly, paced up to the first bend, got a
nice clear run and led from half way. Funny
Poppet showed some pace fr om the 2nd bend after a modest start
and kept on for second.
In the Div 3 640 race, the lead changed hands far
too many times. The race is one to forget. Money
Snake came through to lead on the run in. Discreet
Cat ran disappointingly. Smoking
Jet had yet another fight in behind.
Black
Horse was one of the few impressive winners of the night as he
ran out an impressive trap to line winner of the maiden standard.
They were well strung out behind and Joes
Honcho kept on best of the rest for second.
Secretariat
was stepping up markedly in class after a facile win on the Bags. He
ran really well in the Div 2 puppy open and led to the 3rd bend and
kept on for second. The race went to "Sir" Nick Savva as Westmead
Keawn paced up to the first after a modest start and took over
at the 3rd. "Sir" Nick Savva is the greatest trainer (and
breeder) there has ever been (so far).
Butterbridge
Ali won the Div 2 640 race, but did not seem to step up on his
impressive win of last week. Jordans
Glory is getting long in the tooth now, but still plugged on for
second. I think that trap six is important for Butterbridge
Ali to produce his best. There was plenty of incidents in
behind.
The hurdles open was another nonsense of a race,
as the lead changed hands a number of times. There were refusals
galore up front and Snazzy
Time was the most genuine of the competitors. He's been below
his best in recent runs and this was not a step forward.
Like
Hot Cakes was a disappointing favvy in the Div 1 novice 640 and
never got into the hunt. Beardys
Lex Anne towed them round to the 5th before retreating to the
rear. Marked
Away kept on and led at the 5th bend and went on to score.
Many fancied Greenfield
Hero to follow up on his impressive win of last week.
Sadly, he didn't look the same dog as the one that ran riot last
week. The money in the ring was for Astute
Gift. He led early and was headed by Greenfield
Hero on the back straight and led again at the third. Emporio
Fitzroy grabbed second as Greenfield
Hero cried enough.
Fear
Robben showed superb early pace and made all in the Div 1 Grand
Prix stakes. He tightened up from the 5th bend however and only won
by 4 3/4 lengths. He'll be a worthy favourite in the Grand Prix.
Ronnies
Hustle broke best in the Div 1 puppy open, but very sadly, did
not look at all sound running round the bends. Ronaldos
Merit broke modestly and made the most of a lack of EP on the
inside to take it up between the first two bends. Erinaceous
Rapid, was not fluent at the second bend, but stayed on well to
finish 2L 2nd.
Spiridon
Louis's colours where lowered in the marathon tonight and he did
not look to have too many excuses in the race itself. Omega
Wink led to the 5th bend, until being outstayed by Killough
Air, who ran out a decent winner.
Division 3, 2, 1, they all come alike to the class
local dog in Cobra
Striking. As consistent a starter as you are ever likely to see,
the Cobra
went woosh, yet again and made all. Kindred
Sparky paced up well and run a bit better this week. Emporio
Caesar stayed on and grabbed second.
Roancarrig
View started best in the devilishly tricky finale. He led round,
until the 5th bend and faded on the run in. Annes
Sian broke ok and ran on to lead from the 5th bend.
I believe that Tony Bullen of the Racing Post
tipped up 9 W'stow winners this evening. Different class!