He might have lost six of his previous seven but Swift Keith looked determined to hang onto his crown by clocking his fastest ever time over course and distance in the East Anglian Derby first round. John Mullins’ 2014 champ soon led on the run-up and pulled away for an easy 27.59 victory, the second fastest time of the year.
Phil Simmonds seldom travels with a no-hoper and his Sneezys Hero was next quickest in 27.74.
Veteran Southern Mesut, third in last year’s decider, also made it through to the next round with a 27.79 victory, an identical clocking to Calco Flyer.
