Juvenile winner Ballymac Brogan can make a winning start in the William Hill Classic heats over 450 metres at Sunderland tonight.
Seamus Cahill’s runner has trialled well at the track in his two workouts and ran a cracker when chasing home Yarmouth Derby winner Swift Keith at Wimbledon last week.
The 450 metre trip should be ideal for Charlie Lister’s Romeo Ballistic, who looks the main danger.
The Northern Puppy Derby winner Kneejerkreaction is given a narrow vote in the fifth qualifier. The son of Crash looked back to near his best last week and can soon be in control. Irish entry Tynwald Rodney was fastest in the heats of the Scottish Derby and is respected, while Droopy s Alessio is capable of an upset.
Rodney’s trainer Peter Cronin can be on the mark with Crokers Champ in the opening qualifier. The 2014 English Derby third landed the Irish Sprint Cup at Dundalk last year. He came into this year’s Derby short of a run but judged on his 27.02sec trial over course and distance will take some holding. Last year’s winner Mileheight Alba will provide the main danger.
Take a chance on Laughing Gravy to beat 2013 winner Pinpoint Maxi in the second heat. David Pruhs’ Romford Puppy Cup winner could have the outside to himself, while Pinpoint Maxi has pace to clear and fitness to prove.
Whatever the fate of Pinpoint Maxi, Kelly Macari can land the third heat with his litter bother Conna Trigger. The Premier Fantasy dog, who won the Festival Flyer last year here, is the only wide runner, while his main danger Southern Mesut, the Henlow Derby winner has pace to clear in the form of Evanta Fantasy and Farloe Nutter.
Local runner Calzaghe George can get first run on likely favourite Jolly Tricks in the last heat. Ted Soppitt’s runner, who won the Puppy Plate last year, is ideally drawn on the fence and can slip clear.
Sponsors bet:
9-2 Pinpoint Maxi, 5 Crokers Champ, 7 Conna Trigger, 8 Ballymac Brogan, 12 Jolly Tricks, 16 Kneejerkreaction, Southern Mesut, Tynwald Rodney, 20 Calzaghe George, Farloe Nutter, Mileheight Alba, Old Joe Golden, Romeo Ballistic, 25 bar
