Starring Storm can add to an amazing year for Seamus Cahill and erase defeat in last year’s final by landing the 2017 Coral Champion Stakes Final at Romford next Wednesday.
The beaten favourite in last year’s decider was quickest in the semi finals and is the only railer in the £10,000 decider.
The first semi saw the defeat of favourite Murrys Act and the elimination of Roswell Romanov as Bubbly Torpedo won his first Romford 575m open since overturning Romanov in December’s Essex Vase Final. Never headed, he clocked a career best, 35.20 (+20).
Champion Stakes 1st Semi Final: winner Bubbly Torpedo (t4) leads at the fifth bend from My Mate Max (t2) with runner up Murrys Act (t6) challenging. Photo: Steve Nash
Things went from bad to worse the Wallis Kennel when their third and fourth semi finalists, Rubys Razzle and Garryglass Teddy both went out. The all-the-way leader was the Welsh bred Castell Henry. Drawn orange, the versatile Phil Simmonds trained runners whose final victories include a British Bred sprint and a four bend Puppy Derby, edged towards his first six bend success when clocking 35.11.
Champion Stakes 2nd Semi Final: CASTELL HENRY (t5) clear at the fifth bend, Stand Alone (t4 on left) running on to take the runner up spot. Photo: Steve Nash
The final qualifier went to Hove runner Starring Storm who swept past Piemans Jet to clock the fastest time of the night, 35.07. It was Storm’s fastest ever run over course and distance though only his second win since his defeat by Ascot Woodie 18 races earlier.
