Warzone Tom remains 7-2 ante post favourite with the sponsors despite being beaten in the opening round of the Coral Champion Stakes at Romford.
The Liz McNair trained blue was unable to overcome a tardy start and never looked like getting on terms with Patrick Janssens impressive British bred hound Romeo On Tilt who clocked 34.91.
Quickest on the night was Antigua Sugar who will have brought some overdue better news for the Jeal/Wallis team who suffered the loss of Antigua Cuddles in a freak accident at Perry Barr on Thursday. The Juvenile Classic winner got home in 34.87 despite the repeated attentions of Sporting Chile who was disqualified.
Sugar is now joint third priced favourite with kennelmate Antigua Bigun (7-1). Master Ten Ten is rated a 6-1 chance.
The two sub 35.00 winners take on the favourite in the opening semi final next Friday (see below).
Team Wallis were also on the mark in the heats of the Cat 2 Coral Standard where Golden Sprint winner Rail McCoy set the standard with a 23.74 run.
