Ratings and Analysis by Pete Walker
The category one competitions come thick and fast in March and at Romford is the four bend 400m event worth £10,000 to the winner. Connections of the heat favourites Mashmad Eyebrows and Pass To Go were unable to finish in the first three so unfortunately dropped out at this stage. I have compiled comparative ratings with the top three from each race indicated below as well as the overall top four of the semi-finalists with best prices available when last consulted.
1st Semi-Final
T4 (M) – 168: Piemans Flash
T2 (R) – 156: Clondoty Alex
T3 (R) – 144: Toolmaker Rambo
2nd Semi-Final
T2 (R) – 188: Calco Flyer
T4 (M) – 153: Azza Boy
T5 (M) – 149: Boherglass Swell
3rd Semi-Final
T6 (W) – 154: Ginas Blue
T4 (M) – 151: Hunter Ben
T5 (M) – 148: Charity Dragon
Top 4
(188): Calco Flyer (9/2)
(168): Piemans Flash (10/1)
(156): Clondoty Alex (6/1)
(154): Ginas Blue (20/1)
Ratings based on a maximum of 200 reflect only recent performances over the course and distance. Track conditions at the time of racing may affect future performances of course. There were 9 railers, 5 middle and 4 wides who qualified for the penultimate phase. The first semi-final involves three heat winners and all are at the head of the market (barring Calco Flyer).
Only two now qualify so it may be wise to side with Piemans Flash who is rated above his two main rivals Clondoty Alex and Toolmaker Rambo yet is higher in the outright odds of 10/1. It will be a big surprise if the current favourite Calco Flyer misses out on a final slot as his form is outstanding. His only recent blemish was behind Brocatsea Hoops and Toolmaker Rambo in a messy first bend trouble-laden race in January.
The last semi-final could go the way of Ginas Blue as the only wide seed has shown a liking to the track with two wins (both from trap 6) and a second in three attempts. He could also be the only outside runner to qualify so at 20/1 is worth an each-way shout. The final is live on Friday 17th March and shown on RPGTV’s regular Friday night coverage.
