No But, who has improved tremendously in recent weeks, landed the final of the William Hill Classic over 450 metres at Sunderland writes Jason Craddock.
With Laughy Gravy withdrawn lame, Pinpoint Final was the early leader followed by Bubbly Ninja, who was more interested in taking a chunk out of Conna Trigger on the second turn and was subsequently disqualified. All this trouble allowed Julie Calvert’s No But to go second and he picked up the leader close home to score by three quarters of a length in 27.00sec.
Julie Calvert’s daughter Debbie said of the dog that started his career at the track in an A5 contest said: “He’s won graded races, handicaps and now to win this was marvellous.
“Mum’s wasn’t her as she’s superstitious and she wasn’t here for the early rounds. “She will be jumping up and down.”
No But is down on the list of reserves for the Select Stakes at Nottingham next week.
Bubbly Gold (4-1) went one better than last year and landed the William Hill Grand Prix Final over 640 metres.
Paul Young’s runner was led until the fifth turn by kennelmate Teejays Panther but went on to hold the late flourish of Dinzeo by half a length in 39.79sec.
Steve Fluin, head of the Bubbly Club said afterwards: “He really deserves it after so many near misses in big races. We’ve got some great support here tonight and nights like this make all the effort worthwhile.”
Assistant trainer Min Emment said afterwards: “Both dogs ran really well. Gold worked hard to get to the front and is really game. It is great to see him win a major race.”
Airmount Paco justified 6-4 favouritism in the opening SR Transport Stayers Stakes over 640 metres.
Jimmy Wright’s runner was led to the fifth turn by Kakantu but he went past to hold the late challenge of Lowgate Jasper by just over two lengths in 39.82sec.
Wright said afterwards: “He’s a dog that doesn’t travel very well so we keep him to local tracks. He didn’t trap that well but showed good middle pace to win.”
Calzaghe George was another favourite (6-4) to oblige in HTB Electrical Trophy over 450 metres.
Ted Soppitt’s runner was soon clear and went on to beat Likeitalot by almost four lengths in 27.14sec.
Soppitt said afterwards: “He was ungodly not to be in the final when caught up in trouble in the semi-finals. He deserved this.”
Calzaghe Rocky (7-4) gave Soppitt a quick double when taking the Tetleys Puppy Stakes over 450 metres.
The son of Diego Meister came from last to first to score a comfortable six and a quarter length victory in 27.46sec.
“He’s got radar and never touched a dog. He will go for the Puppy Classic at Nottingham. I may even take him to Brighton for a Puppy contest.”
Droopys Alessio ended the run of winning favourites in the William Hill Home of the Standard over 450 metres.
Jimmy Wright’s runner was soon clear and went on to hold the favourite Kneejerkreaction by three quarters of a length in 27.04sec.
“He doesn’t get 480 metres so this 450 metre trip is ideal and he did it well.”
Daytime Flyer (2-1) upset the 1-2 favourite Walshes Hill in the William Hill Festival Flyer.
Peter Wood’s runner got away to a flyer while Walshes Hill missed the break, not helped by the front of the traps appearing to move before the break. He went on to beat the favourite by three lengths in 15.61sec.
Wood said afterwards: “It was all about the start and we came out and the favourite missed the kick. It was all over after that.”
Droopys Buick and Droopys Vodka gave Jimmy Wright a 1-2 in the William Hill Puppy Plate Final over 450 metres.
Buick flew out of the traps and went round the turn in front of My Little Dream. Vodka got inside My Little Dream at the third turn but had no answer to his kennelmate who scored by almost four lengths in 26.81sec.
Wright said afterwards: “He flew out of the boxes and just pulled away and it surprised me that the other dog never got anywhere near him.
“We’ll keep him for the Puppy Derby at Newcastle but Vodka will go to Nottingham for the Puppy Classic.”
