Thursday's card was an
open card with some graded fillers.
Bell Imperial ran out an impressive winner of the opening S2. He
broke well and pulled clear, winning by 4 lengths.
Cruising Katie plugged on for second.
Swhimasdylan made all in the 430m open. No easing & checking
this week, he must have had some treatment.
Ringview Rascal kept on for second.
The Div 3 novice stayers race was a weak race.
Two Halves made all, kicking clear and winning by 10 1/2
lengths. One Romford racegoer could not believe his eyes as he did
not expect her to stay.
Barnagrane Jack emerged just clear of the plodders in behind for
second.
Snazzy Time broke well and led in the hurdles open, but
Kildare Lark outpaced him to the bend and led from the first for
his 9th win from 14 Stow starts.
Snazzy Time followed him home a respectable distance in behind.
He must be sick of the sight of
Kildare Lark's arse!
Legal Major was having his first run in a veterans event to my
recollection. He made all, but
Special Deal gave him a real fright. Just a head separated them
as they flashed over the line.
When
Dubai Adventure led round in the Div 1 novice stayers race, it
looked all over. However,
Noirs Speedy showed good middle pace to lead. He failed to get
the trip and
Dubai Adventure took over and led from the 5th bend.
Shelbourne Miss stayed on for second.
In the Div 2 puppy standard, it looked a match before hand between
the likely leader
Grannie Annie and the strong running
Aero Blackjack, who had really impressed over 6 bends recently.
Grannie Annie set a good early pace, running middle on the run
up.
Aero Blackjack got going very late and forced a dead heat with a
strong late burst.
Aero Blackjack is very much one to keep on your side over 6
bends in the coming weeks.
Snappy Girl led up in the marathon, but surprisingly
Romford Carthree turned very close behind. When
Romford Carthree took over at the 4th bend, it looked clear that
Snappy Girl had not brought her A game. After
Swift Jade was left at the start, she looked to have it all to
do. However, she really quickened the pace down the back straight
and looked the likeliest winner. However, she either had done her
running to get there, or dwelt up from the 7/8. In a slow motion
finish,
Romford Carthree, who certainly did have a dwell up, dug out a
bit more on the run in to take the race.
In the Div 2 standard,
Ask The Question was sent off 7/4 jolly. While he had a trap one
draw, he is normally a very slow starter and he looked plenty short
enough to me. Sure enough, he was very slow away and gave himself a
mountain to climb.
Lockdale Lady broke very smartly and led round.
Erinaceous Rapid broke modestly an paced up well to the bend. He
caught
Lockdale Lady at the 3rd bend and went on to score.
Ask The Question stayed on for second.
Horseshoe Moth was sent off 2/1 favvy despite a coffin draw. He
turned left out of the traps and put paid to his own chances and
those of
Ballymac Ken on his inside.
Directors Trick made most of the running, but was out caught on
the line by the improving
Unique Picture. I won a nice few quid on this dog last week, but
failed to re-invest the reddies.
In the next 6 bend open,
Swift Maggie was not sent off fav, as he has not been taking the
bends well for a while now. In what turned out to be a moderate
race,
Offshore Sox set the early pace,
Like Hot Cakes too over near the 5th bend. He was one paced on
the run in and
Classy Star ran on late to lead on the run in, following up his
Boxing day romp, but not nearly as impressively.
Noirs Ted started well and led up in he Div one standard. It
looked all over going to wards the 3rd bend, as he was 3+ lengths
clear. This being the 4th leg of my trebles and acca, following 3
winners, I was gutted when he cramped up between the last two bends.
He's also my favourite dog as well.
Flying Jack was presented the race and
Kindred Sparky followed him home in second.
War Of Attrition looked a decent bet in the A2 after his decent
showing last week.
Addington Ruby showed smart early pace and led the field. When
War Of Attrition hit the front at half way, it looked a case of
how far. In the end he made heavy weather of it and scrambled home
by half a length from
Addington Ruby.
The closing Div 2 novice stayers went to
Clear Decision.
Marathon Girl towed him along for a few bends, before he took
over at the 3/4. He had a dwell up at 5/6 and held on desperately
from
Marathon Girl.