Fastest heat winner Coolavanny Bisto was available at 4-1 but his joint owner and well known punter Lee Gifkins watched him win the £2,000 Henlow Maiden Gold Cup Final unbacked.
The Romford Puppy Cup finalist reached the 550 metre decider with three spot advantage over Blackrose Zebo. The layers, however, were convinced that former Irish star Barefoot Apollo would rediscover his form and the Seamus Gaughan trained black went to traps at 2-1f.
But it was the black jacketed Bisto (8.95 sect) who rocketed clear from the boxes pursued by the local youngster Blackrose Zebo (8.56).
But in a race where every runner finished in the position that they found themselves at the first bend, Bisto eased away for a two and a half length victory in 33.59, an improvement of one spot on semi form with the favourite back in third.
The winner is owned by Peter Walker, John Hymas, Nicky Mayhew, and major shareholder Lee Gifkins.
Gifkins said: “It was a great run and we have had a really enjoyable year. I didn’t back the dog last week when he was available at 6-1 during the day and returned at threes.
“This week, there was plenty of 11-2 available during the day and he returned at fours. It was a bit disappointing that there was no ante post book because we thought he could go close.
“He has been a lot of fun for all four of us. We did our brains when we backed him over 575 at Romford and he just folded up after leading, but this trip seemed to suit him. We had a great night.”
The kennel are due at Crayford tomorrow (Tuesday) when Bubbly Time takes on a good class field in a 740 metre open.
Gifkins said: “If she is in the right mood, she could come out and win as she likes. But if she decides to sulk, she won’t turn up. You never quite know with her.”
