BRITISH PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK

The second round of the Premarket Pets Blue Riband went largely the way of the bookies with Candy Man starting to show the sort of form that saw him clock 29.26 in a Derby trialstake last May. He is now one run from reaching his fourth Cat One decider.

A clear going bias at Romford on Friday makes assessment difficult – 11 of the 13 winners came from the outside three traps. There was also a 20 spot fluctuation between the Essex Vase heats. Quickest on the clock, and on the worst of the going was Gold Collar winner Warzone Tom with a 35.43 (-40) run.

On the subject of going, Peter Holland’s Ramors Jet completed an impressive A1-A1-O/R hat-trick on Monday at Nottingham; his actual winning times: 31.24, 30.15, 29.57. On Tuesday, Kevin Ferguson’s Yorkshire bred Acomb Winston reminded the locals of his quality when he gets his trapping right with an impressive 28.67 open win.

A couple of reigning POW winners were put in their place midweek. On Wednesday Front Move attempted to defend her crown against the invincible March On Henry. Henry VIII ruled. How very dare you! Then on Thursday, Perry Barr’s Affane News went to traps with six wins in his last seven outings but was summarily put in his place by Ernie Keech’s Trionas Travel in a stunning 28.05.

One hound who did successfully defend her title was Piercestown Dove. Although eclipsed on the clock by Sweet Leaf by a couple of spots, anyone watching Dove’s display of determination and trackcraft would have no hesitation in endorsing the selection.

Bombardier had won his last three outings at Monmore and will presumably come on for the race having failed to hold on in a 630m open on Saturday night. Credit to the winner though, the David Elcock trained Getwiththetimes. Laurels winner Havana Class was also blowing away the cobwebs at the weekend. Although he only just held on to win a sprint in a photo finish, he posted 16.10 for the Central Park sprint, only King Sam (16.07) went quicker in 2021.

Sticking with the sprinters, an honourable mention for Mr Roo, landing his sixth win in his last seven outings at Swindon on Sunday. On balance though, we can’t ignore the 28.25 run of Druids Why So over four bends. His winning time of 28.25 was more than half a second quicker than anything else on the night.

Newcastle staged two A1 events this week. The fastest was won by Skidroes Buick in 28.72. But we’re sticking with April puppy Havana Player who bolted up in A2 by nearly five lengths in 28.87. The Puppy Derby is imminent and he may just end up taking on little sister Havana Bale Out.

With Starcash Henry enjoying a week on his bed, the pretenders to his Doncaster crown had an A1 shoot out on Sunday morning. Russanda Bondi, one of three contenders for Sean Parker, came out in front in a decent 29.88. Similarly, no sign of Montrose at Yarmouth but pair who finished behind him last time out, Swift Raisin and Maxi Twister both won A1s in his absence. Sandra Clayton’s Twister was narrowly the quickest.

The highest middle distance grade on show this week at Kinsley was A2. Former marathon open racer Aayamzabella had two progeny in it. Kitmins Maggie came out in front, brother Madabout Power was last. Another mum with pace, Its Lucie, had a 25.51 on her card at Pelaw Grange. Her daughter Short Verse is still to break 26.00 though she did get to within 13 spots of it with this week’s quickest run.

Ex-Dundalk 29.67 winner Matts Mink continued his Sunderland progress with a FOW 27.30 which also happens to be a new PB.

Hove was an easy selection this week. Puppy Clairekeith Remy was quickest over the standard trip in winning for the fourth time from five races at the track.

Henlow’s Clockwork Girl has an interesting history. Jason Bloomfield’s bitch was still a pup when she won her first A9. She was a veteran before she won her first A1 and last Monday clocked the fastest time of the week, just five spots off her best ever time.