Punters came off a bad second best as all favourites were turned over and only one (plus a joint favourite) made the cut to the semi finals of the most open Coral Champion Stakes ever.
The meeting started off badly when the most prolific 575 winner ever seen at the track, and 2014 finalist Fivestar Clipper was unable to make an impression behind trackmate Starring Storm (Tubbertelly Dubh-Saleen Kerry, Feb 14). Seamus Cahill’s runner who finished third in a two-to-qualify semi of the Stayers Classic at Monmore picked up the early paced Swabys Millward (who clocked the night’s fastest sectional) to win in 35.72.
The second heat went to 5-2 second favourite Newlawn Peter (Crash-Ms Crossfire, Feb 14). The Phil Simmonds trained runner who had won his Romford debut in 35.44 (+20), dominated from the front with a sectional lead of three and a half lengths that was never narrowed. Favourite Johns Present was never seen with a winning chance
NEWLAWN PETER clear coming into the home straight in heat 2. Romford 19th August 2016. Photo: Steve Nash
Heat 3 provided the night’s biggest upset, though it is hard to see how Cooly Caviar (Droopys Cain-Droopys Panto, Dec 13) was allowed to go to traps at 8-1. His last two races at the track had produced a 35.53 win and a dead-heat second. The race appeared to be at the mercy of Badabing who was making his six bend debut. He mad a brave attempt to lead for most of the 575m but was found lacking by half a yard at the end. Favourite Barricane Bullet was bumped out of contention at the first bend.
Fastest on the night was Mark Wallis’ Roswell Romanov (Quail Hollow-Kranky Leona, Aug 14) in the fourth qualifier. Contesting only the fifth race on his UK career (1 win Towcester A4), the 5-1 chance chased Kranky Damo until the fifth bend and then pulled away for a two and a half length victory in 35.42 (N)
A rare 30-1 double (the price not the double!) was landed by Team Wallis when Ribble Aon (Kinloch Brae-Zaras Fantasy, Aug 13) ran away with heat five. Lord Hasketh’s runner went to traps on a 13 race losing sequence and came out when kennelmate Swift Whirlwind (7-4f) didn’t. She was pursued until the latter stages by Bob Brae but held on to win in the second fastest time of the night, 35.53.
RIBBLE AON (t3) leads early from runner up Bog Brae (t2) in heat 5. Romford 19th August 2016. Photo: Steve Nash
Gold Cup winning trainer Paul Young was having a nightmare evening back at HQ and that got no better in the final heat where he was represented by the 2014 Champion Stakes winner Millwards Master. But it was the former Pat Rosney trained Ascot Woodie (Droopys Scolari-Ascot Megan, Jul 12) – now with John Mullins who prevailed. The early paced veteran was never headed in 35.60.
