Laughing Gravy is given a narrow vote to land the William Hill Classic Final over 450 metres at Sunderland tonight. The £25,000 to the winner decider looks wide open and whatever leads around this tricky Wearside venue is likely to succeed.
David Pruhs’ runner landed the Romford Puppy Cup last year and made all in the semi-finals to beat Bubbly Ninja in 26.93sec. He’s capable of clocking an even faster split and overall time and if he get first run on the favourite Conna Trigger will be hard to beat.
Conna Trigger landed the Festival Flyer sprint here last year and went quickest in the semi-finals when beating No But by half a length in 26.76sec.
He’s got no margin for error being drawn outside fellow early bird Laughing Gravy.
No But is running out of his skin at present and has won seven of his last ten. He’s probably the best finisher in the race and will need luck in running.
Pinpoint Final, like Conna Trigger is trained by Kelly Macari, who will be trying to win her second Classic after the success of Pinpoint Maxi in 2013.
He’s got a great draw on the fence but and is unbeaten in the competition but has to step up on the clock.
Bubbly Ninja and Jolly Tricks complete the line-up. Ninja’s 26.98sec heat victory reads well but he has a lot of pace to clear, while Jolly Tricks needs to repeat his pre-classic trial split of 4.79sec.
Dinzeo, a finalist last year, can land the William Hill Grand Prix Final over 640 metres.
Harry Crapper’s runner is the probably the strongest in the race and overcame trouble to win his semi-final in 39.97sec.
He’s capable of going much quicker and can watch the early pacers burn themselves out before poncing late.
Toottoottootsie is running out of her skin and went quickest in the semi-finals with 39.62sec. Another bullet break will see her hard to beat but she may not get an uncontested lead here.
Farley Rio is defending champion and loves it here but may struggle for a clear early path.
Paul Young’s pair Bubbly Gold, last year’s runner-up and Teejays Panther find the trip too far and must secure an early lead to prevail.
Droopys Buick looks the one to beat in the William Hill Puppy Plate. Jimmy Wright’s runner went fastest in the heats with 26.90sec and the November pup looks an improving sort.
Kennelmate Droopys Vodka performed miracles just to qualify and is a big danger but his draw outside Buick could make things awkward.
Walshes Hill, the country’s top sprinter is hard to oppose in the William Hill Festival Flyer over 261 metres. Daytime Flyer looks the only real threat.
Kakantu is fancied to land Sky’s opener, the srtransport .co.uk Stakes over 640 metres. Kevin Boon’s runner missed the break in the Grand Prix semi-finals but normal service can be resumed here. Airmount Paco and Lowgate Jasper are the main threats.
Calzaghe George, who won the Puppy Plate Final last year, can take the HTB Electrical Trophy at 7.26. Ted Soppitt’s runner can get first run on Aclamon Messi and Likeitalot.
Soppitt can have a double with Calzaghe Rocky in the Tetley’s Puppy at 7.43. The Diego Minister dog caught the eye in the Puppy Plate heats last week and can prove too strong for his rivals.
Northern Puppy Derby winner Kneejerkreaction can gain some compensation for his exit in the Classic semi-finals by landing the William Hill Home of the Festival Standard at 7.59.
The Crash dog can prove too good for main danger Droopys Alessio.
