BRITISH PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK

Lots of star performances but centre stage this week is Sharon Thompson’s Sparta Master. A couple of weeks ago we flagged up his sensational 29.03 trial at Towcester. On Friday, on the other circuit where he holds a track record, the brilliant brindle reached his third Essex Vase Final (he was a non-arrival in 2019 and third last year). A stunning run and narrow defeat too Antigua Rum, the dog who turned Master over in the Coronation Cup Final a year ago on Sunday.

As usual, the oldest selections are a few hours short of a week old, but Chris Akers’ Gymstar Elusive was a worthy recipient of the Nottingham vote following last Monday’s excellent 29.47 (500) win. Reckless Annie clocked an identical time for the Hove 500m, though her time was on going rated -30. Sheffield is traditionally the fastest of all the 500 courses and Coney Kuccini was the ‘quickest of the quickest’ with a 28.96 run. It is now four wins and a second (sh) in his last five outings for Sean Davy’s brindle.

Paul Burr’s Lastfortheroad gave a flashback of his 27.38 (Fastest of Year) form from 2020 with 27.65 run at Yarmouth on Monday. A testament as much to the condition of the track, as much as the dog, in mid-January. When Pennys Plumber clocked a fastest of week, 29.67 at Towcester, the going was rated +10. Or what about Sunderland’s A1 winner Newinn Billy with a stunning 27.17 (+20)?

There were no flat opens at Central Park this week but Kilcash Boss impressed in a decent A1 on Sunday. Earlier in the day, Sherry Baby picked up an A2 at Kinsley. 18 miles away, ‘the iron pensioner’ Catunda Tom was the only hound to break 32.00 for the 483m with an eight length, 31.51 A2 win. (15 minutes later, Bellagio Bond clocked 31.47 when winning a B7 over the 450m course)

Pelaw Grange finally staged their first meeting of 2021, and Murlens Magda landed the fastest top heat in 26.07.

Swindon’s outstanding run of the week came from A3 winner, Moreton Magpie with a 28.44 run. Crayford’s quickest was A6 winner, Annual Sabbath. Harlow don’t stage races above A4 over their standard distance and Barnagrane Vic has won the last two. Last Monday though he was switched to two bends and saw off a D1 in 14.73.

The tightest call of the week came at Monmore where Freedom Editor and Signet Mafia clocked identical times of 28.58 (-30) in A1 events. On the basis of his still being a pup, Editor edges it. Brennans Buick had a best of 28.36 (calc) when she used to run A1 at Monmore. Her best run to date at Newcastle was a 28.66 solo, though her first A1 win came in 28.74.

It has been a while since we last featured a 550m nomination from Henlow, but nobody could deny Romans De Bruyne’s claim. They wouldn’t want to stand in his way either. Not at 38kg.

Last but not least, Moyar Valley clocked the joint fastest time of the week (28.63) back in December but we gave the nod to Castell Stevie. Pat Rosney’s dog made no mistake this week with a 28.56 (-10) run. Litter brother Moyar Hero, a previous winner of the award, finished back in fifth.