Toolmaker Rambo – gone. Droopys Schnoz – gone. Charity Dragon – gone. Three of the leading fancies for the Romford Puppy Cup exited the event on Friday night as all three favourites were beaten.
Punters got off to a bad start in the opening heat where Toolmaker Rambo was made a 1-2f but he failed to clear kennelmate Glenkeel at the first bend. March On Monty slipped clear pursued by Unlikely Turbo (7-2) and the Belle Vue runner turned on the Turbo along the backstraight to take the lead. He came home two clear in 24.34 with the favourite in fourth.
Droopys Shnozz went to traps at 4-6f in the second semi and suffered the same fate as his brother Rambo. Monmore’s Chancer Mac (14-1) led early and would be chased home after crowding by Blackstone Omar and the favourite. Mac held on by three quarters of a length in 24.22 with the photo favouring Omar for a black head over the third place favourite.
The third semi was always the most intriguing and featured Omar’s more strongly fancied kennelmate Charity Dragon (2-1) taking on the Pruhs pair Kooga Klammer (7-4f) and Dark Recruit (11-4). It was the latter who would lead all the way for a 23.89 victory with Klammer outstaying Dragon for second.
So Pruhs goes double-handed into next Friday’s decider hoping to land the event for the second time in three years having previously enjoyed success with Laughing Gravy.
1st Puppy Cup semi final: Unlikely Turbo (t4) leads March On Monty (t5) at the third bend.
Romford 23rd September 2016.
Photo: Steve Nash
