There were mixed messages from the five handlers who are plotting to prevent Kevin Hutton landing his fourth consecutive GAIN Trainers Championship meeting at Towcester on Saturday writes Floyd Amphlett.

Four of this year’s finalists were represented last year, while for Patrick Janssens it was a first appearance three years after taking out his trainer’s licence

The three times champ Kevin Hutton was fairly phlegmatic when describing his chances as he nominated Dorotas Wild Cat as his unofficial team captain and leading fancy on the night in the ‘Standard A’. The Shoot-Out winner ran third in last year’s puppy division.

The local handler also seemed very sweet on ECC Timber Puppy Derby winner Magical Bale, in the ‘B division’ who has trialled well after picking up an injury. Mad About Maggie is running well and loved the track.

Hutton reckoned Jelly Flood as a promising pup with a future over longer distances, though there were concerns over the lack of a genuine sprinter. Forest Chunk was the original selection for ‘best-converted-two-bender’ though he had gone lame and Lost One Dare nipped the selection over Ballyregan Jimmy.

Patrick Janssens admitted to be slightly light in the four bend department, relying on his veteran Cat One winner Barricane Tiger as a ‘points scorer’ rather than expected winner in the toughest race of the night. He also conceded that Seaglass Ceaser would probably not have taken the sprint place had it not been for the injury of Kilmore Lemon but Move Over Eliza was well worth her place in the bitch’s event.

Patrick made his two staying bitches Affleck Lady – who began life in A9 – and TV Trophy winner Goldies Hotspur as his two ace cards.

Mark Wallis had previously admitted that he had been keen to share team places among as many owners groups as possible. That left a choice of Bullets though the fact that ‘Bombers’  and not ‘Bruisers’ – who ran second in the puppy division last year – made the team was a general surprise. However having a Scottish and Irish Derby finalist in the ‘Standard A’ was hardly a poor option.

Rubys Rascal, who won over his division over the 655m course last year, is the kennel’s other major fancy, over the extended six bend course.

Rab McNair, on behalf of wife Liz, was clearly still irritated that King Turbo was not being allowed into the Derby. Although some have suggested that the Scotsman appears to have found a more benevolent side to the racing manager by persuading him that Turbo is his ‘B Division’ runner, it is worth noting that his ‘A’ runner has 28.85 winning form over course and distance.

Rab concedes that Queen Whitney was a last minute replacement for Queen Izzy in the bitch’s race though he was clearly expecting a big run from a third queen, National Sprint winner Anna, in the two-benders. The postponement of the meeting due to weather had given King Bowie a chance to grab the puppy slot, though it was stayer Paradise Valdez, who Rab described as his ‘banker’. Litter brother Paradise Marco is around a month behind in his preparation.

Seamus Cahill conceded that his kennel have had a very bad year with injuries and bitches in season and he would therefore be appearing with a weakened team. The absentees included two of last year’s Trainers Championship stars, litter brother Karlow Turbo and Astute Missile.

Seamus’ banker was the former Irish star sprinter Lughill Robbie

Paul Young was also fairly low beat about his opportunities with a number of the kennel’s star unavailable and those who had stepped in had been unlucky in trap draws. Typical was Bubbly Roger, drawn five in a race of five railers. The good news was the recent return of Bubbly Turbo, a winner on last year’s Derby supporting card.

Camps Wonder “came in as a late replacement” in the bitch’s race, Young Rocket has ability “but is a bit clumsy” while Bubbly Big Eddie “is a good dog, but it is a top class race”.

“We are just hoping for decent points scorers” confessed the Romford handler.