Top two take their challenge to Towcester
It promises to be the most competitive Trainers Championship in years between Mark Wallis and Liz McNair and that dog fight is continuing at Towcester.
Recent Category One (Coonough Crow – Kent St.Leger and New Destiny-Coronation Cup) wins for 14-time winner Wallis have seen him return to the top of the table, but with a mere 19 point lead.
Liz has never finished top – or to be fair, ever really put in a serious challenge to win it – given the kennel’s considerably smaller size.
But a combination of the Imperial Kennels switching to a private ownership model (MWD Pertnership) and the KSS Syndicate having two exceptional litters coming to their peak at the same time as seen a significant closing of the gap.
Both kennels have significant representation in Saturday’s gala card at Towcester. Both have runners in the Star Sports/TRC Derby semi finals, though with quite contrasting prices: the McNair runner King Memphis is the 9/4 Derby favourite. The MWD’s Whyaye Man is the 66/1 outsider.
The MWD team have numerical supremacy in the Mark Siddall Prime Beef 712m with Cat One winners Garfiney Blaze and Coonough Crow taking on Three Steps winner Queen Georgia who set a new track record in Sunday’s heats.
The McNairs hold a 3-1 advantage in the Truframe sponsored BGBF Champion Stakes and have the favourite for the Derby Plate in Queen Joni.
Saturday’s full card – 10 lines of form
DERBY 9/4 King Memphis, 5/2 Boylesports Bob, 5/1 De Lahdedah, 11/2 The Other Kobe, 12/1 Ballymac Slick, 18/1 Churchfield Syd, 20/1 Gaytime Nemo, 28/1 Droopys Pivotel, 45/1 Ballymac Gizmo 50/1 Coss Tokyo, 66/1 Edwards, Whyaye Man
Hope Jeal Sprint 7/2 Aero Sacundi, Bombout Bullet, Not So Slow, 10/1 Bettys Jack, Kila Detail, Westfield Bullet, 12/1 Romeo To Victory 14/1 Mustang Ojay 28/1 Salacres Buzz, 40/1 Ballintemple Dan, 50/1 Droopys Rarity 80/1 Crystal Countess
Derby Plate: 11/8 Queen Joni, 4/1 Faypoint Harvey, 8/1 Glengar Martha, 9/1 Faypoint Susie, 12/1 Jaytee Etienne, 18/1 Druids All Go, 20/1 Kilara Roberto, 22/1 Clona Curly, 28/1 Newinn Port, 33/1 Miracle, 66/1 Aero Convey, Wrighty
BGBF Champion Stakes: 4/1 Romeo Command, 9/2 King Sydney, 5/1 King Combs, Rioja Bungle, 6/1 Never Say No, 12/1 Fabulous Sonique, Greenwell Coe, Queen Dusty, 20/1 Coppice Ella 25/1 Keefill Goose, 33/1 Romeo Hotshot, Wolf Moon
Greyhound Trader Stakes: 7/2 Savana Top Cat, 7/1 Gary The Arb, 8/1 Droopys Rosie, Vixons Filofax,10 /1 Emmybell Boy, Salacres Blake Uncle Freddie, 12/1 Ballymac Madgie, 25/1 Arthur Cucumber, 28/1 Beatties Electra, 33/1 Arb Park Ranger, Noduff Sahara
Siddall Memorial: 13/8 Garfiney Blaze, 9/4 Queen Georgia, 4/1 Coonough Crow, 14/1 Fabulous Dyna, Savana Heross, 16/1 Savana Jackpot, 25/1 Haka Carlo, 28/1 Alright Gordy, 40/1 Alright Patricia, Magical Luna, 50/1 Lightfoot Falcon, 80/1 Fabulous Aurora
Coppice Fox – probably the quickest 500m+ hurdler in training came within a possible benevolent decision of a permanent DQ in an open at Crayford on Sunday night.
The Ricky Hollway trained runner (T6) turned his head at the fourth bend but was marked ‘awkward’ and will be required to retrial before racing again.
The dog who received his first disqualification on the flat at Central Park now has three ‘awkwards’ on his card.
However, as advocates of the jumpers will point out. His subsquent career includes a win the Grand National, a runners-up spot in the Springbok and a spell of seven consecutive wins by an aggregate of almost 40 lengths.
Readers please note that Mark Pierrepont will be taking over the editorial reins for the next few days. Anybody wishing to contact him to news or information is advised to email on [email protected]
Opens
Friday: Romford ♦ Sunderland
Saturday: Towcester
