Sussex Cup winner Barricane Tiger (5-1) returned to form to clock the fastest heat of the Betfred Steel City Cup at Sheffield.
Patrick Janssens’ brindle (T3) produced one of his quicker break (4.19 sect) to take the early lead on the inside of Candlelight Fire (T4 9-4) who was bullied out of position at the first bend as kennelmate Light Foot Mata (T1 7-2) became the main danger. The problem for Mata and Making Paper (T5 7-4f) is that the leader would devour every one of the 500 metres and still want more. He crossed the line with just over two lengths to spare in 28.51.
Ballymac Mossjoe (T3 4-5f) looks to have been specially prepared for this competition and connections would have been delighted with this pipe opener. He crossed the sectional in a flying 4.17, two spots ahead of Pinpoint Den (T5 15-8) and that remained the order throughout. Barrie Draper’s runner crossed the line with two and two and a quarter lengths to spare over Pinpoint Den and kennelmate Barney Rubble (T4 10-1). The winner’s time was 28.64.
Maum Legend (T4 4-5f) would have featured on most punter’s short list as a potential winner of the event and Jimmy Wright’s dog looked every inch a thoroughbred champion when landing heat two. He comfortably led up (4.18 sect) from La Maqina (T1 6-1). Legend went on to win by two and a half lengths in 28.69 with Trickyjoefriday (T2 10-1) running on for third.
Kennelmate and reigning champ Minglers Thunder (T3 7-4f) made a welcome return to Sheffield. The lightly raced white and brindle went to the bend in 4.22 from Holdem Chico (T2 3-1) and never looked threatened. Third place went to Along Came Finn (T6 4-1). The winner’s time was 28.83 and the distances two and a half and one and three quarters.
The opening heat had gone to Race Of Champions finalist Pinpoint Ethan (T4) who was easy to back at 9-2. Kelly Macari’s runner disputed the early lead with Calco Flyer (T3 7-4) and they passed the sectional in an identical 4.27. Ethan established his superiority at the second bend and retained a length and a half of it at the winning line which he crossed in 28.96. Swift Leonard (T2 9-2) was three quarters of a length back in third.
The final heat went to the exciting young dog Tynwald Baz (T1 6-4f). Going into his tenth race with four wins on his card but no trial over the course, the Laurence Tuffin trained black led up Swift Hansel (T4 10-1) in a 4-18 sectional and got home by two lengths in 28.66. Maglass Razzle (T6 7-2) was a length and a quarter third.
