It’s Friday the 13th and that could mean being unlucky for some. For those that are not superstitious there is as usual a great night of racing at Romford tonight. With the Essex Vase over 575 metres starting next week there is several trial stakes and three maiden stayers races tonight. As usual for your favourite read yours truly has endeavoured to find out more about one from each of the maiden stayers races.
After five races over four bend trips, Deanridge Sirius for Crayford trainer Allision Kelly-Pilgrim is being stepped up over six bends. The son of Tullymurry Act and Droopys Talia has won one of his five races over four bends which was at Nottingham back in March over 500 metres. Tonight the November ’17 whelp tackles six bends and Romford for the first time. His recent race over 480 metres at Central Park suggests tonight’s trip is an achievable target. With trap one, Swift Rage being withdrawn by trainer Stuart Buckland there is now an empty box on his inside.
Allison on him said: “I hope he stays. The way he has been running I like to think he will get it. If he handles the track and comes out the boxes I think he will get it. 575 metres at Romford is not a hard six bends.
“He was spot on at the start of the year for the original start of the Derby but has taken time since lockdown to get going. He is well in himself and it’s now getting the race right for him.
“He has trap two and we are happy with that. It’s the trap we like to see him out of.
“He is in the Kent derby on Sunday. If he gets knocked out and runs well tonight we will enter him for the Essex Vase.”
William Hills are top price 4/5 for him to win over six bends and Romford at the first time of asking.
Local handler Paul Young knows what it takes to win around Romford on a Friday night and tonight is stepping up two of his charges over 575 metres for the first time.
First up is Over The Bonnet in a maiden stayers race at 6.43pm. The Daughter of Droopys Jet and Aghaburren Belle has yet to win after six races all at Romford over 400 metres. The July ’18 whelp has been contesting in top graded races and one open race. She has early pace and against six bend types may benefit from going over a longer trip. Last time out over 400 metres she clocked a good time of 24.32. If able to get the 575 metres that early pace could prove beneficial.
Paul on her said: “She’s a nice bitch. She gives the impression she can get it. Against four bend dogs she lacks a little bit of early. Tonight she has a chance to lead and off the front could get it. She looks a little bit in between distances at the moment. It could be catch me if you can.
“Trap two is good for her. She has been running out of that trap in graded races.
“The Essex Vase is a possibility if she does well but that competition is always hard for bitches. We will she how she goes but the Oaks at Swindon is more than likely for her.”
William Hills are top price 4/1 for her to win over six bends at the first time of asking.
Next up for Paul to make their six bend debut is Chilli You Guys in a maiden stayers affair at 7.18pm.
Unlike her kennel mate the daughter of Droopys Nidge and Droopys Dance has managed to win over four bends. In fact the May’18 whelp has won ten times from thirty eight starts including a win in an open race. She won her last race in A2 company showing she is in good form and with her early pace could build up a lead. If able to stay she may not be a maiden over six bends for long.
Paul on her said: “She is running at the top of her game at the moment. 575 is as far as she wants to go. If she comes away she can give them a go. She has got the pace. She is a hard bitch to pick up when she is in front. She has a chance to stretch them out.
“Trap five wont hurt her. She has the early pace and should still trap from there.
“Like the other one, the Essex Vase is a possibility but the Oaks at Swindon is more than likely for her.”
On all his runners tonight Paul said: “It’s a hard card with lots of strong races. The Bubbly Cracker dog in the maiden final has a chance out in six. The one dog is very, very good [Bockos Jon Jo] but last time he ran from trap one he missed his break. If he does that again ours on the outside could have a chance.”
Skybet are top price 10/1 for Chilli You Guys to take the spoils tonight while Bubbly Cracker is available at 7/1 with several firms to take the 8.38pm final.
