Sunderland laid a memorial to the unknown punter following a night of desolation in the first round heats of the William Hill Grand Prix and Classic. Nine of the twelve favourites bit the dust, including quite literally, the 5-1 ante post chance Patchys Kerry who was knocked over.
The Classic was dominated by Irish runner Toolmaker Scot (Boherna On Air-Savings Book, Oct 13) whose 26.74 run for the 450 metres was the only sub-27 second run on the night.
The other qualifers went to Bubbly Turbo (4-1 27.22), Master Lego (6-1, 27.56) with ante post favourite Hiya Butt in third, Ajlolegalbeagle (7-2 27.02), Baran Jack (20-1 27.18), Shaneboy Freddie (5-2 27.21).
There had been no early sign of problems for punters when locally trained brother and sister ‘Shellams’ Delano (4-7f) and Maeby (2-1f) won the first two qualifers in 39.54 and 39.98 respectively.
Swift Leonard (10-1) won heat three in 39.79, but the wheels came off when Patchys Kerry (4-6f) was knocked over in heat four. It went to Spa Road Piper (5-1) in 39.77. Zulu Baran (5-1) clocked an identical time when turning over Coolavanny Lass (4-7f). The final heat went to 2-5f Pinpoint Boom. Kelly Macari’s, making his six bend debut clocked a fastest of year 39.43 for the 640m.
