FIRED UP FOR THE JACKET

Trainer Mark Wallis left no one in any doubt as to his irritation when Antigua Fire didn’t manage one of the three nominations for the GBGB Stayer of the Year award (“bloody ridiculous”) and there is a strong sense that the multi times champion trainer has a point to prove in the Ladbrokes Golden Jacket.

Fire’s 44.95 (+30) winning time on Saturday night was not only the fastest of the round, but a personal best, one spot faster than his Kent St.Leger victory. His record over the Jacket course and distance is 8 races: 5 wins, 2 2nds (both photos) and a third.

It was a particularly good night for Team Wallis who won half the heats and saw Antigua Fire cut to 7-2 favourite to land the event.

Wallis said: “My first sense from last night was actually relief. We had been forced to withdraw him off colour a couple of weeks ago. He had still not looked his best in his trial back, but in the last couple of days he has started to look like his old self.

“I am not surprised that he is now favourite. I thought he should have been favourite to win it before the event was under way if I am quite honest. He ran in a trialstake that was as good as a semi or final, and you could have argued the same thing for last night’s heat.”

Coronation Cup winner Antigua Rum and the prolific Ava Storm completed the kennel treble. There was also a superb run from the veteran Shotgun Bullet (Jacket winner 2018, fifth in 2019) with two more outstanding stayers, Roxholme Poppy and Sheldan once again proving their absolute class.

Wallis, who has four threw to the semis said: “We have four in the semi, and none might make the final. Such is the quality of the event. Antigua Rum continues to improve after switching from six bends. I am still not convinced that Aayamza Express really runs the place but she is improving and with few railers in there, hopefully she can take advantage.

“Ayastorm was quite disappointing when she ran at Hove a couple of weeks ago. But we have done a bit with her since and she seems to have responded.”

Bet365 betting: 7-2 Antigua Fire, 5-1 Roxhollme Poppy, 6-1 Antigua Rum, Skilful Sandie, 10-1 Sheldan, 12-1 Sparta Master, 14-1 Avastorm, 16-1 Desperado Dan, Aayamza Express, Shotgun Bullet, 20-1 Beechgrove Bell, Affleck Bolt, Goldies Hotspur, 33-1 Bubbly Bonita, Headford Charm, Sizling Diva, 50-1 Droopys Tulip, Swift Tarquin.

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ANTIGUA RUM (t6) kicks off Mark Wallis’s excellent Saturday night beating Beechgrove Bell (t2) in the opening Golden Jacket heat. Photo: © Steve Nash

Evergreen 2018 Jacket winner SHOTGUN BULLET (t5) leads home Headford Charm (t6 far left) in Golden Jacket heat 2, where Irish challenger and Leger champ Redzer Ardfert (t4 mid track) was eliminated. Photo: © Steve Nash

One lap to go in the top quality Golden Jacket heat 5: Goldies Hotspur (t4) leads Skilful Sandie (t1) chased by eventual 44.95 FON winner Antigua Fire (t5 on left), middle (slightly hidden) is Micks Little Gem (t6) ahead of Stardom (t2) and Shared Belief (t3). Photo: © Steve Nash