At Monmore tonight we are treated to the finals of the Ladbrokes Summer Stayers Classic and Ladbrokes Gold Cup. Throw in a two category three finals and four supporting opens, you have yourself an unmissable night.
As the card is so good, it felt rude not to give it the ‘Round Up’ treatment. As ever yours truly has found out more about two greyhounds making their race debuts on these shores.
Aayamza Magic is not only making his Monmore debut for trainer Mark Wallis but his race one as well on these shores. After four trials the August ‘20 whelp has been put straight into an open race over 480 metres. In a maiden affair at 7.07pm the son of Laughil Blake and Carefree Grace will be looking to win at the first time of asking. Although unraced on these shores he does have race experience in Ireland. At Newbridge he has won over 503, 526 and 549 metres in A2 and A1 graded affairs. That experience could prove vital when tackling Monmore for the first time in race conditions.
Mark on him said: “He has gone well in his trials and is definitely a stayer. We will give him a race or two to get him fit and go for the Champion Stakes at Romford.
“He ran well in Ireland but went lame after his first trial over here. He is all over that now and thought we would start him over 480 metres. 480 metres is a bit sharp for him as he is definitely a stayer. He did good trials at Monmore and can’t see why he can’t improve on them.”
Mark has Annadown King in the final of the Ladbrokes Gold Cup and on the final and him, Mark said: “I don’t think it’s the final people expected. There have been a few surprises along the way including Annadown King. He came in a reserve in the first round and qualified for the final.
“He has nice early pace and hopefully will swoop round in front at the first bend like he did when he won his semi-final. He will need to improve on his time to something like 28.20’s.
“He can blast out but can get tapped for a little early pace. He runs a craking first two bends at Monmore and takes the bends ever so well. He is a great bend runner at Monmore, one of the best I’ve seen there in a while.”
Corals are top price 5/2 for Aayamza Magic to win first time up on these shores. Both Corals and Ladbrokes are 20/1 for Annadown King to take the showpiece final at 9.02pm.
Maglass Brave for Romford handler Nathan Hunt is another greyhound making not only his Monmore debut but his race one as well on these shores. After two trials at the Wolverhampton track over 480 and 254 metres the March ‘20 whelp goes in a maiden affair over 630 metres at 7.24pm. In Ireland the son of Kinloch Brae and Bling Bling Lois has run over 686 metres at Shelbourne Park so has race and six bend experience. Over 480 metres at both Tralee and Shelbourne Park he has race winning form.
Nathan on him said: “He ran in the Cuchulann Open at Shelbourne Park over 750 yards. He was brought over as a stayer and 630 metres at Monmore seemed a good place and distance to start him.
“We will see how he goes and the St Leger is a possibility for him. He looks a nice six bend prospect for the end of the year.
“He did a good first trial at Monmore but his second one over 264 metres was messy and you can put a line through that. He has a good draw and if he can get out, he has a very good chance.”
The ‘bookies’ are generally 7/4 for the former Irish raider to win on these shores and over six bends at the first time of asking.
