Select Stakes absentee Forest Jason clocked the fastest time of the opening round of the Ladbrokes Gold Cup, though it says much for the competitive nature of the competition that Julie Bateson’s runner only prevailed by a head and all six winners were within ten spots of each other.
There was also a winning return for defending champion King Turbo, one of three qualifiers for the McNair Kennel.
The Stayers Classic was no less competitive with two spots separating the fastest three heat winners, from which Ridgedale Max grabbed bragging rights.
Monmore RM Tony Williamson said: “It was an absolutely brilliant night. There were 21 different kennels represented in the Gold Cup and 26 in the Stayers Classic. It was top, top class racing.
“The semi finals have worked out well, in terms of winners against winners, and seconds/thirds taking on each other in the Gold Cup. I thought the unluckiest dog on the night was King Sheeran who was almost pushed onto the grass at the bend and ran a stormer to qualify.”
With Lenson Wilson, Droopys Trawler and Caislean Fifi all due to contest the Ladbrokes.com Kent National Hurdle qualifiers, there was always a chance that Crayford’s 380m hurdle FOY time would be beaten.
It was – but by the only female in the event, Dirt Bird Rosie (Kinloch Brae-Dirt Bird, Oct 16). Katie O’Flaherty’s brindle made all to win for the fifth time in ten races over the jumps in 23.39 from Droopys Trawler.
Katie O’Flaherty said: “Steve, my partner, schooled her at Barry’s (O’Sullivans) and said straight away that she is a natural. We planned to go for the Springbok but she fell in a trial. She is still a bit novicey and ran virtually ran straight through the last hurdle, but if she traps like that in the final, I don’t care what draw she gets, she will take all the beating.”
A hurdling career has been a bonus , particularly for a bitch, though Katie admits she wasn’t too surprised when Bird was marked ‘awkward’ on the flat.
She said: “But she looks made for hurdling, to be honest, she is a complete nutcase. You will very seldom see her on all four paws on the ground. But she has given us and her owners a great deal of fun already.”
Grand National winner Caislean Fifi went in the second semi final but was unable to catch Jim Daly’s Droopys Knack (Rio Quattro-Droopys Twirl, Apr 16) with a 23.76 run.
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John Mullins’ Drumcrow Logan drew the red box after landing the fastest of the three Greene King IPS East Anglian Challenge heats at Yarmouth on Saturday night.
Extending his UK career to six from twelve, the 33 kilo blue clocked the fastest sectional on his way to a 27.60 win over Distant Rain who will be drawn on the opposite side for the £1,200 decider.
Trainer John Mullins said: “I think he might have been better off our of two or three. But I never moan about trap draws. You get what you are given, you can’t change it and we’re just happy to be there.”
Rob Roy, one two finalists for Paul Burr remains unbeaten with a 2/2 record following a 27.65 run only slightly quicker going. British bred Signature Dancer will be looking to add to his BGBF Scurry Final landed at Henlow back in May.
