The introduction to last week’s Coral Sussex Cup heat review read: “There were six winning favourites in the first round of the Coral Sussex Cup though racing manager Jeff Piper doesn’t think punters will find life quite as simple in the semi finals.”
No truer words were written as all three favourites (4-6f, 1-1f, and 5-4f) were eliminated. There were hard luck stories or all three with Ower Boy Bullet leading when badly baulked, Dorotas Hooligan and Brinkleys Poet were both crowded out with the latter only failing by half a length to qualify.
Quickest of the qualifiers was Sporting Dave with a 29.86 (-10) run. Seamus Cahill’s runner made his name when winning the Coral Puppy Trophy, a support event to the Sussex Cup, and Jeff Piper expects both Sporting Dave and Thursday night’s runner-up Trade Fudge to be the main contenders in next week’s final.”
He said: “The draw for the final sees Sporting Dave drawn on the inside. I don’t think it is ideal with Dusko Popov in two because he has good early pace and will try to move to rail. To win it, I think Seamus’ dog has to come away at his best, though he isn’t the most consistent of trappers.
“On the other hand, Trade Fudge is the only wide runner with the early pace to lead on the outside. I make them the main two contenders.”
Full form for all the finals will be published shortly
Shock in the opening Sussex Cup semi as 6/1 Bit View Knight (t2) wins from 33/1 Dusko Popov (t1) with odds on Ower Boy Bullet (t5 badly bumped at first turn) and Calico Ranger (t6) both going out. Photo: © Steve Nash
DEANRIDGE BOFFIN (t4) wins the second Coral Sussex Cup semi from Karlow Scolar (t3) WT 30.15. Photo: Steve Nash
