After two rounds of exhilarating action, the final of the Essex Vase takes place at Romford tonight writes Rob Abrey.

The last show piece competition of the year at Romford concludes tonight at 9.08pm and what a final its going to be.  A case could be argued for each of the six finalists, it’s that competitive. Regular readers of this column will know all about the two ‘King’ dogs in the final and may be holding onto two ante-post betting slips. The focus of tonight’s column though is away from the final and on those making their Romford debuts and stepping up in trip. In some cases both.

 

Perry Barr trainer John Lambe is taking on the Friday traffic from his Sutton Coldfield base to race five of his charges tonight. Three of them are making their Romford debuts with one also making their six bend debut as well. As ever yours truly has endeavoured to find out more about those three.

On his charges tonight John said: “One of our very good owners Ian Freeman can work down South and is having his works Christmas party at Romford on Friday. We thought we would take as many as we could down there for it. We entered seven and five were accepted.”

First up for the three debutantes is Glenduff Gekko in race four at 7.17pm in heat one of the Romford Friday night maidens over 400 metres. The son of Droopys Jet and Invinciblejackie has had eleven races on these shores all at home track Perry Barr winning four. Those wins have come over 275 and 480 metres in D3, A7, A5 & A4 graded races showing his versatility over two distances. In Ireland the July ’17 whelp did the same winning over 297 and 480 metres at Tralee in graded affairs. He is in fine fettle by winning two from his last two. He has early pace and the drop to 400 metres tonight could be ideal.

John on him said: “He is a front running dog. Romford should suit him. He is all about early. He has been running in A5’s at Perry Barr as he struggles to see out the trip. If he was on the graded strength at Romford I think he would at least be contesting in A2’s.

“I’m happy with his draw in trap five. Sometimes they trap better first time up out wider.”

He is generally available at 9/2 to win first time up at Romford tonight.

 

Next up for John Lambe to make their Romford debut is Drumcrow Tango. Not only is the daughter of Superior Product and Hushed Cheer running at the Essex track for the first time she is also making her six bend debut as well. The September ’16 whelp goes in heat two of the Romford Friday night maiden stayers at 8.06pm over 575 metres. She has had all of her forty one races at Perry Barr except for one which was at Nottingham over 500 metres. That race was on Monday where she finished third after finding trouble at the second bend. She has won in A3 graded company at home track Perry Barr and looks like the step up to 575 metres is just what she needs.

John on her said: “She’s been running on like a train at Perry Barr over 480 metres. I tried her at Nottingham over 500 metres on Monday. She was very unlucky. She was just going second when her legs were taken from her. She Never lost anything after that, staying third all the way to the pick-up. She saw the trip out well. I think she will get the trip on Friday.

“575 metres at Romford is the right distance to start with over six bends. After we tried her over 500 metres we thought we would strike while the iron is hot. The draw in trap one is ideal for her.”

Skybet make her a 7/1 poke to win on her Romford and six bend debut tonight.

Distant Rain is the last of John Lambes three to make their Romford debut tonight. The November ’15 has proven his ability already at several tracks. Although just over four years old the son of Zero Ten and Momentinnewyork has only had thirty nine races. From those thirty nine though he has won eight times. Six of those eight wins have come in open races at Nottingham, Monmore and Perry Barr over 500 and 480 metres. Tonight he makes his Romford debut over 400 metres in a standard affair at 9.26pm. He has bundles of early but lately appears to find the 480 metres at Perry Barr a bit long. He has shown he has enough early over short trips with a recent win over 275 metres in a recent D2 graded affair.

John on him said: “The original plan was to run him in a veterans race over 400 metres but that race didn’t fill so he is in a standard race instead. He has been a quality dog over the years in minor opens and A1’s at Perry Barr.

“400 metres is ideal for him at the moment. He has started to struggle to see out 480 metres at Perry Barr so a short four bend trip is just what he needs.

“Trap three is perfect for him on Friday. He traps well from the middle as he has shown in his last two sprint races at Perry Barr. He a middle to rails runner so trap three is ideal.”

Skybet make the veteran campaigner 6/1 to take the spoils tonight.

As to who John thinks could go best tonight of his five, he said: “Affane Lilah. She led up last time at Romford but lost her way a little. She is a few more weeks out of season now and has track experience.”

Corals are 11/2 for her to take heat two of the Romford Friday 500 maidens over 400 metres at 7.33pm.

 

Regular readers of this column and those with sharp memories may remember reading about Pyewacket back in April before her first run at Romford over 400 metres. Tonight the daughter of Kinloch Brae and Mays Bonus is back. This time she is attempting her six bend debut over 575 metres in heat one of the Romford Friday night maidens at 7.49pm.

Trained by Henlow’s Pam Dolby the September ’17 whelp had six races over the 400 metres trip winning none. She was up against good competition and may be more suited to longer trips than the stiff 400 metres trip. She has had a recent spin over C&D clocking a calculated time of 36.12. The quick split time of 13.69 is the interesting one though. After coming back from lameness she will be expected to improve on her overall time.

Pam on her said: “We are not actually sure she stays. The trial time was nothing brilliant. She has a bit of early that will hopefully get her in front. We expect her to come on for her trial.

“She has track experience and has been over both distances. She is older now and she has a nice trap draw. If she gets out she could give the others a run for their money. Fingers crossed she gets the trip.

“Her litter sister is actually Perrys Choice who is in the final of the Essex Vase on Friday so staying is in the family.”

Pyewacket is 6/1 on win over six bends at the first time of asking.