It was not so much a case of ‘horses for courses’ as ‘greyhounds for tracks’ with Old Fort Cracker, a 10-1 winner of Sunday’s Bunny Bookmakers Gold Cup at Henlow.
Kevin Hutton’s 30kg black, who had failed to win three B4 races at Towcester, was never headed in the £2,500 final.
Only narrowly picked up by Airport Captain in the 550 metre semis, the wide runner blasted clear, was a length clear of Blackstone Marco at the sectional, and then held off the strong finish of Blackrose Tyson to win by three lengths in 35.23 on going rated -180.
Hutton said: “She came recommended by Kelly Findlay after running in the Newbridge Oaks where she reached the semis.
“We rushed her through her trials and she wasn’t quite ready for the Oaks where she led to the fourth but was then picked up.
“We decided to run her graded at Towcester but she just didn’t take to the track. We entered her in a maiden at Sittingbourne which she won well and she hasn’t looked back.
“The track was quite heavy at Henlow in the final and it can be a big advantage bowling along in front.
“We don’t have any particular plans in mind for Cracker at the moment. We may enter her in a 575 maiden at Romford and then play it by ear.
“As for (Airport) Captain (4th), he is four years old now and a few issues that need a bit of attention to keep him sound. We will probably avoid competitions from now on and keep him in one-offs.”
