“That second semi final is like the first round heat, it would make a great final” – said Monmore Racing Manager Tony Williamson after the draw was made following a brilliant opening round of the Ladbrokes Gold Cup.
Williamson continued: “There was comparatively little trouble in the heats, barring Charlie Lister’s six dog in the heats, and the times were sensational. Droopys Buick was just the quickest (27.76), with Hiya Butt only three spots slower off a 4.20 sectional which is the best we have seen here in a very long time. Then you had Making Paper whose track-craft was unbelievable again. It is a sensational run.”
Heat 1 – Hiya Butt (T4 5-2) was very fast away (4.20 sect) and led up from (T5 10-1) Southfield Jock (T1 7-4f) cannoned into Roxholme Scolari (T3 7-2) at the first bend with Boyneside Fun (T6 7-2) suffering the worst. The leader continued to dominate and crossed the winning line in 27.79, two lengths to Southfield Jock with Laughing Gravy back in third.
Het 2 – The early part of the race was dominated by the Mark Wallis trained pair California (T6 7-4) and Clondoty Alex (T1 3-1). California crossed the split in 4.30, six spots ahead of her kennelmate. There was minimal trouble at the bend as 6-4f Oscar Whisky (4.43) followed the leader around the turn. He found himself on the outside of La Maqina (T2) at the second bend and checked to rails to make his challenge. That didn’t threaten until the run-in, and although he reeled in Clondoty Alex, California was home by a length in 28.08.
Heat 3 – Droopys Buick (T4 4-6f) was reasonably into his stride but showed good early pace to break the sectional in 4.35 from the striped Ballymac Cathal (4.37). The race was over as a contest at the first bend as Buick pulled away to lead home Droopys Turin (T1 4-6f) and Fred The Shred (T3 14-1) by just over seven lengths and a length and three quarters in the fastest time of the night, 27.76.
Heat 4 – On paper, it looked a match between Making Paper (T5 1-2f) and Jaytee Spartacus (T2 9-4) and so it proved in a stunning spectacle for racegoers. The early lead was cut out by Tyrur Flynn (T4 16-1) and Ajlo Legalbeagle (T6 16-1) who cleared the sectional inseparable on 4.32. The favourite was joint last (4.44) with Oscar Junior (T3 6-1). But the event started to open up along the backstraight as the two market leaders picked their way through the field. On a cavalry charge to the winning line it was Making Paper (three quarters), from Jaytee Spartacus with (one length) Forest Bressie in third. The winner’s time was 28.14.
Heat 5 -The biggest shock of the night came from Paul White’s Sallows Ford who went to trap six as a 10-1 chance. But there would be nothing lucky about his win. Having taken an early lead (4.33 sect), the black and white lost several lengths when pushed wide at the bend as the 7-4 favourite Droopys Country (T5) took up the running. But showing great gameness, Ford rallied late to get home by a length in 28.29 with Bramble Mackem (T4 25-1) back in third.
Heat – 6 Carlos Court (T5 6-4) made every post a winner after leading up (4.39) in the last qualifier. Roswell Iceman (T3 Ev.f) lost is winner’s chance after a slow break and bumping and looked unlikely to qualify at the second bend. Between the pair in second place was Thirteen Bags (T1 7-1) who ended the race a length and a bit behind the 28.13 winner.
