Henlow racegoers will face a quandary in next week’s Bunny Gold Cup decider.
Do they stick with Mossvale Ace (Ace Hi Rumble-Blue Bee, Aug 13) , the Hove star who has not put a foot wrong over the Henlow 550 metre course – or do they oppose him?
Despite not trapping brilliantly in the last semi final- he was in fourth place at the sectional – Derek Knight’s British bred (2-5f) took up the lead at the fourth bend and opened up a six and a half length winning margin over Sky Dancer in 33.05 (all semis +15). It was the fastest time of the night, and although a length back on calculated times compared to the heats, that slack – and a bit more besides – can be set against a 19 spot slower sectional.
Half an hour earlier earlier Ace’s most serious rival for the £2,500 first prize had exited the event. Jet Stream Sound (4-7f) had failed to clear first bend bumping and then found another bumper portion later in the race. In the meantime Tony Gifkins’ 7-2 chance Coolavanny Ester (Confident Rankin-Sarasota Ester, May 13) had set off after early leader Mays Starburst and then defied the late run of Final Ace for a 33.27 win by just under two lengths.
There was better fortune for Sound’s kennelmate Jet Stream Style (Droopys Vieri-Droopys Twirl, Nov 12) who triumphed in a great battle with Savana Razzle. The local runner led at the sectional (8.83) with Kevin Hutton’s 5-4f back in fifth place (8.99). But the resilient Style came through to complete a five-timer with a 33.29 win.
An already competitive final was given an extra twist when the draw was made: 1) Jet Stream Style, 2) Savana Razzle, 3) Coolavanny Ester, 4) Mossvale Ace, 5) Final Ace, 6) Sky Dancer (m).
In a race with five railers and a middle seed, unbeaten and fastest qualifier Mossvale Ace drew the coffin box. His two qualifying wins had both come from trap one. In his career to date Ace has raced seven times from four and only won once – though his overall form has come on significantly since then. Then again, Jet Stream Style is unbeaten in four outings in the red jacket . . .
It should be a cracker!
SAFFRONS ANNA (Droopys Scolari-Dash On Lucy, Nov 12) set a new 428m track record of 25.50 on Snday – three spots quicker than Aero Babooshka’s previous best
