BRITISH PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK

Only one place to start – Romford for the heats of the Puppy Cup and Champion Stakes and two ‘head and shoulders’ performances from Bubbly Magnum and Smallmead.

It would be harsh to call Southfield Code a Central Park track specialist, because he wins just about everywhere, but unbeaten in six over course and distance? Staying with the open race theme, Look Like Power was narrowly the quickest in the Derby trialstakes at Nottingham last Monday.

Staying with open racing, this year’s East Anglian Derby looks very open. Quickest in the first round was Kilara Lion. (Track champion Swift Lettuce looks decent value at 6-1)

Things have been a bit quite at Crayford of late, but with the Kent St.Leger and Gold Collar on the horizon, things should liven up. In the meantime, a 23.27 in A5 is good enough to get a POW award for Barnfield Spirit.

There wasn’t much to split Waikiki Limit (483) and Cally (450) at Doncaster, though the latter edges it on overall recent record, five wins and a second from her last seven races. At neighboring Kinsley, Knotmor Millie produced the quickest 462 on the week.

The Monmore choice was also on a knife edge between Track Championship heat winners Jazzers Man (480) and Tommys Control (264). The latter is almost ungradeable over the sprint, Jazzers has five wins and three seconds in his last ten outings and a best of 28.08. Towcester’s two fastest sprints were won in 15.90 and 15.91 by kennelmates Savana Chick and Savana Towcester.

Versatility was the strong suit of Harlow’s Hot Product, who has competed over two and four bends since lock down and won a recent S1 over the 592m course. Sticking with the flexible theme, Chipping Away is Hove’s quickest of the week over 500m (29.18). He also has a 28.61 over the defunct (490) and a 30.03 for the 515.

Droopys Pilot has the quickest A1 win of the last week at Newcastle, and retains his place for a second week. At neighbouring Sunderland, Civils Tricia, who has gained 1.5kgs in the last two months, has the fastest 450 after consecutive wins in 27.32. While Pelaw’s fastest 435 runner of the year Nametab Coco (25.40) was one spot slower, allowing for going allowance with a FOW 25.91 run.

A switch to six bends didn’t work out for Effernogue Patsy with two defeats in S3, but it did wonders for the four bend form with the fastest 480 of the week – in A3! Swindon’s Distant Sailor has a 50% strike rate in his last eight – and when he wins – he wins quick!

Easiest pick of the week – the fastest 500 at Sheffield recorded by a 22 month old pup – Harton Hurricane.

Best value of the month? 8-1 about Rockburst Dutch in an A1 at Henlow. This is the dog that ran Grangeview Ten to a length in last year’s Produce Stakes at Clonmel and has a best of 27.43 over the Henlow standard. Three from his last four for Eric Cantillon.