BRITISH PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK

Having reached the Juvenile Classic semis, been beaten half a length in both the Angel of the North and the Puppy Classic Final, nobody could dispute Coolavanny Aunty’s entitlement to a major event. She duly took her recent recorded to seven wins and two seconds (half a length to Brookside Richie and Jaguar Macie), when landing the Empress Stakes at Towcester on Sunday.

The aforementioned Brookside Richie would probably have made the list on the basis of his consistency alone – putting aside his 14 length aggregate winning margin going unbeaten through the Coral Puppy Cup. His winning times: 23.77, 23.67, 23.68.

While the Birmingham Cup and St.Leger both produced high calibre performances on Thursday, the nod has to go to 20 month old Crossfield Dusty for the second fastest sprint ever recorded at Perry Barr.

Churchill Holly has been the most regular POW performer at Nottingham in the last couple of years. This week, the nod goes to kennelmate Chuchill Blaze – a liter brother of prolific Henlow winner Rail McCoy – with the fifth fastest sprint of the year.

It was a ‘cut and paste’ job for Acomb Jenny at Sheffield. Although her winning time was slower, the going allowance suggested an improved run and the four length win over a former local POW Ballyboss Con confirmed she is the current Queen of Yorkshire.

The main contender for the title would be Kinsley’s Corona Lady. Once again overlooked by the bookies, she led home Glengale Gav, Cloneen Alba, Peads Dazzler et al for the third week in a row!

Time comparisons over different distances are tough to call. Humble Jet’s 25.99 for Harlow’s 415m was the sixth fastest of the year. Troy Suzieq’s 37.86 for the 592 was the second fastest (FOY-37.75) – albeit over a less competitive distance.

The Yarmouth Derby finished a couple of weeks ago though nobody seems to have told puppy Zara Rosie who bombed around in a Derby class 27.36.

Marinas Artist had only been beaten once in his last seven visits to Pelaw Grange until Sunday morning. Make that twice in eight, courtesy of ex-Clonmel runner Thorny Briar.

Crayford only staged one A1 this week, it was won in 23.31 by Kilaharry Biddy. While, we respect the quality of the race, on the same card Oscars Panther clocked 23.21 in an A4.

The opposite has to be true at Doncaster. Mr Cain won a fast A2 in 29.56 (+20) but was a 10-1 chance when fifth behind veteran Kilara Bugle in 30.10 (-10) in A1. An easier selection at Hove where veteran Homeward Bound’s 29.76 on a .40 slow track was easily the week’s top race.

Closer still at Sunderland, an A1 win in 27.22 for Go Wild Turbo or a 27.19 in A2 for Light A Candle? We’ll edge it Turbo, the ex-Henlow A2 runner landing a tough top heat on debut.

Gary Griffiths’ Rahyvira Quinn won A4 in his last graded race at Towcester but has settled in well at Monmore and won the week’s quickest A1 in 28.51. Abigails Buddy had 29.36 winning form on the Derby circuit but returned to Henlow to land the week’s top standard distance event in 27.53.

Newcastle’s title holder Tullovin Alfie went the same way as Anthony Joshua on Thursday when dished out a 28.37 A1 lesson by kennelmate Brynoffa Lloyd (a half brother to Roxholme Hat).

Central Park supplemented their Sunday card with minor opens, though none impressed more than A1 winner on the night, Magical William.

While at Swindon, Westway Blake won for the first time since going lame in the Laurels back in April. A 28.22 run suggests the Monmore Puppy Derby finalist is well on his way to his usual level.