Charlie Lister, who has lifted The Laurels trophy five times since the competition was moved to Manchester in 1998, will have five representatives in this year’s renewal, which starts at Belle Vue on Friday writes John Forbes.
Included in the quintet is Tyrur Dicky, owned by ECC Timber boss PJ Fahy who sponsors the competition. This bitch took a shock early exit from The Oaks in the first round at the track on Saturday and is being given a quick chance to atone from the three box in the last qualifier.
Irish trainer John McGee, whose Oaks’ bid also failed at the first round, has two hopefuls in the line-up for The Laurels in Hillcroft Hero, who races from trap one in heat one, and Slade Paddy, who will wear the stripes in heat three.
The draw is – Hart 1: 1 Hillcroft Hero, 2 General Sherman, 3 Killglen Lee, 4 Roxholme Barkley, 5 Underground Ace (m), 6 Imaginetheimpact (w).
Heat 2: 1 Thurlesbeg Pluto, 2 Blazes Turbo, 3 Deanridge Kerry, 4 Millwards Whitey, 5 Coolavanny Rebel (m), 6 Laughing Gravy (w).
Hear 3: 1 Myway Mars, 2 Johns Present, 3 Fifo, 4 Crooks Emporio 5 Roxholme Scolari (m), 6 Slade Paddy (w).
Heat 4: 1 Fire Height Hero, 2 Tyrur Supermac, 3 Allowdale Blue, 3 Swift Keith, 5 Rock Me Kewell (m), 6 Iceman Frank (w).
Heat 5: 1 On Alert, 2 Ballymac Ricky, 3 Bigmans Kid, 4 Stay Loose, 5 Hell Letloose (m), 6 Face The Blade (w).
Heat 6: 1 Skydancer, 2 Droopys Novak, 3 Tyrur Dicky, 4 Blue Moment (m), 5 Tynwald Bish (w), 6 Taranis Bolt (w).
