Making Paper (Hondo Black-Quarterland Hope, Nov 12) warmed up for Saturday’s Derby support card by reducing his own ‘fastest of year’ time for Nottingham’s 500 metre course with another impressive victory on Monday eventing.
Diane Henry’s 2015 Derby finalist went to traps for the £500 sweepstake decider at 7-4 on the basis of his 29.47 run a week earlier. But he has impressively taken on by Claude Gardiner’s pairing of Zulu Bran (33-1) and Tadys Robin (3-1) before moving majestically clear from the first bend to cross the line in 29.43.
But the kennel failed to land the double when Borna Mindy (1-1f) was surprisingly turned over in the 730m dual distance final.
In a thrilling contest, the early lead was disputed by Muskerry Dalo (25-1) and Harlow’s Manic Pellegrini (8-1). The favourite was back in fifth place with plenty to do. She showed great pace to reduce the deficit, but so too did Alma Prince (Head Bound-Droopys Alma, Nov 12)and as the trio raced to the line, it was all on the nod. The judge was left to separate to separate the trio and he confirmed Alec Stone’s Prince (5-1) as the short head winner from Dalo, with the favourite a head back in third place.
Fans of tight finishes will do well to decipher next week’s 480m puppy final following this week’s qualifiers. The first qualifier went to Ian Walker’s 8-1 chance Sober Cindy (Tubbertelly Dubh-Locnamon Millie, Jul 14) who prevailed by a neck and a short head from Derryadd Dynamo (7-2) and Colin Peace (7-1). 15 minutes later, the exciting youngster Sidarian Padre (Vans Escalade-Drive Ahead, Aug 14) reprieved his reputation following an apparent short nap in the traps at Doncaster last time out. The 4-5 favourite beat the Rosney trained pair Newinn Ace and Vatican Venice by a head and the same in 29.12. On that form, 12 spots separate all six runners.
