The Coral “Romford” Puppy Cup has its origins at original sister track Dagenham until its closure in 1965.
In all honesty, the calibre of the winners has varied tremendously over the years from outstanding open race champions such as Eden Star, Roxholme Nidge and Brookside Richie, with the odd ‘top grader’ among the list of winners. It has certainly proved lucrative for the local handlers with David Mullins going for a fourth consecutive victory and the locals boasting six wins in the last eight deciders.
A very ‘open’ open as is reflected in the provisional betting. In terms of value, the early 9-2 about Wrighty looks quite tempting. The Gymcrack runner-up is better than his recent form form suggests though he will need to find the sort of trapping that he has previously demonstrated at Towcester. 2-3-5
5/2 Zazzeras Henry, 10/3 Drumdoit Matt, 4/1 Newinn Extra, 9/2 Puttfor Charlie, 9/2 Wrighty, 8/1 Kilwest George
A return to the track for Monmore Puppy Derby runner-up Cooliogold. Maxine Locke’s runner hasn’t raced since April and although his 400 metre trial was ‘so so’, his previous sprint runs were decent enough. He runs the track well having clocked 23.79 on debut at 17 months old. The draw should be no issue – two of his Monmore wins were in black. 4-3-1
2/1 Cooliogold, 9/4 Hopes Sharkie, 7/2 Hollywood Lolita, 13/2 Atlanta, 7/1 Moaning Gentile, 12/1 Jaffa
In terms of experience, red, blue and orange seem to have the edge and on known form, it has to be Kevin Boon’s Bettys Jack. It was no disgrace to be reeled in by Droopys Doughnut last time out. There doesn’t appear to be anything of his calibre among tonight’s opposition. 2-4-3
7/4 Bettys Jack, 5-2 Aero Convey, 6-1 Paradise Thunder, 7/1 Jeopardy Panther, 7/1 King Justin, 8/1 Coolavanny Olly
Ante post: 100/1 Bettys Jack, 50/1 Aero Convey, 100/1 Paradise Thunder, 100/1 Jeopardy Panther, 80/1 King Justin, 80/1 Coolavanny Olly
Allowdale Cazoo reached the Puppy Classic Final at Nottingham and may start as favourite. But Droopys Dingo has been given plenty of opportunity to learn his way around London Road and if there is a surprise on the horizon, he may provide it. 2-4-3
9/4 Allowdale Cazoo, 5/2 Droopys Dingo, 4/1 Queen Dusty, 6/1 Droopys Custard, 10/1 Cullentra King, 16/1 March On Monster
Ante post: 20/1 Allowdale Cazoo, 33/1 Droopys Dingo, 33/1 Queen Dusty, 66/1 Droopys Custard, 100/1 Cullentra King, 100/1 March On Monster
If Cat Island repeats his 3.71 sectional and clocks 23.60, it will be a good night for the ‘after timers’. On all known form it is impossible to oppose him, though with so little race experience between the sextet, it would take a brave punter to support him. 1-6-3
6/4 Cat Island, 5/2 Romeo Cypher, 7/1 Leeview Glory, 7/1 Swift Teetotaler, 8/1 Bacon Roll, 10/1 Millbank Catchus
Ante post: 12/1 Cat Island, 14/1 Romeo Cypher, 50/1 Leeview Glory, 66/1 Swift Teetotaler, 50/1 Bacon Roll
The ante post favourite Droopys Doughnut showed outstanding gears to win last Friday despite all kinds of aggro. He will be no value whatsoever bearing in mind there are only 18 races between the sextet and there will be traffic issues. 2-3-5
8/13 Droopys Doughnut, 3/1 Coolavanny Mercy, 13/2 Bubbly Bombay, 9/1 Coolavannydelboy, 16/1 Romeo Crossfire, 25/1 Farneys Zena
Ante post: 5/2 Droopys Doughnut, 12/1 Coolavanny Mercy, 33/1 Bubbly Bombay, 33/1 Coolavannydelboy, 100/1 Romeo Crossfire, 100/1 Farneys Zena
You could make a case for a few in here on their best form, but put a line through them on their worst. Such is the nature with novices. So why not go with a pup on debut? Romeo Crusade may have the beating of his inside neighbour and as the innermost of the middle seeds may get a reasonable run. 2-6-3
5/4 Brinkleys Ginger, 3-1 Moanteen Webby, 5/1 Burrows Ruby, 6/1 Romeo Crusade, 10/1 Young Poet, 20/1 Dick Turpin
Ante post: 20/1 Brinkleys Ginger, 33/1 Moanteen Webby, 66/1 Burrows Ruby, 66/1 Romeo Crusade, 100/1 Young Poet, 150/1 Dick Turpin
Droopys Eddie impressed when winning a novie stake at Kilkenny and could be a big player in this event. Could hardly have been more impressive second time out. Oppose at your peril 6-3-5
8/13 Droopys Eddie, 4/1 Stonepark Champ, 7/1 Allowdale Icon, 7/1 Fair Joe, 12/1 Trident Sydney, 25/1 Feora Marie
Ante post: 3/1 Droopys Eddie, 12/1 Stonepark Champ, 33/1 Allowdale Icon, 33/1 Fair Joe, 80/1 Trident Sydney, 150/1 Feora Marie
On all known form, the Hunt Cup third and Stayers Classic finalist Havana Top Note will start short and rightly so. Second favourite Gutsy Jet is a decent hound but probably wants further 2-3-1
4/7 Havana Top Note, 9/2 Gutsy Jet, 11/2 Droopys Stairway, 13/2 Couldbeastar, 20/1/1 Moaning Mason, 25/1 Psycho Drama
Chelms Gask is a very decent hound, a consistent trapper and plenty of ‘23.70 form’. But Farneys Trend is no mug and represents better value. The former Yarmouth sprint record holder can go with the best and has 28.37 for the Nottingham’s 480 metres. 5-3-1
6/4 Chelms Gask, 3/1 Bombay Zero, 10/3 Farneys Trend, 11/2 False Move, 8/1 Exve Prince, 20/1 Tax You Tonight
Sussex Cup winner Candolim Monsoon should win this but doesn’t look great value. Queen Pink ran third in the Puppy Cup last year and is Romford specialist having also contested Essex Vase and Coronation Cup finals. 2-1-6
4/6 Candolim Monsoon, 10/3 Queen Pink, 11/2 Bonville Jet, 10/1 Holiday Rascal, 12/1 Farneys Willie, 20/1 Longslip Sue
This should see a decent buckle between La Vikingo and Whitewood Lenny who both boast decent Irish cards. The former only has two races, both wins, with the second of them seeing him go to within seven spots of Gizmo Cash’s FOY for the Lifford sprint. As such, he may be better value. 2-6-3
5/4 Whitewood Lenny, 2/1 La Vikingo, 7/1 Billis Blazer, 7/1 Shirleys Boy, 8/1 Flight Risk, 12/1 Moaning Rossi
With five wins and a second in his six races to date, Hollow Man was given a sighter of the track and went well enough. Doesn’t seem to perturbed by trap draws. Worth a chance. 5-1-4
6/5 Hollow Man, 15-8 Chelms Sonny, 5/1 Mad For Sterling, 8/1 Havana Allago, 12/1 Rathnagore Syd, 16/1 Kilwest Daisy
