The Essex Vase is finally here writes Rob Abrey.
The final category one competition of the year at Romford starts tonight with six heats starting at 7.03pm over 575 metres. Regular readers of this column will already know about four entrants that have been covered recently. Along with some regular faces and two former Coronation cup winners, the £10,000 to the winner competition looks very open. Tonight there are several greyhounds in the Essex Vase who are making their six bend or Romford debuts. In some cases both. As ever yours truly had endeavoured to find out more about four of them.
Elizabeth and Rab McNair knows what it takes to win at Romford and tonight has entered three for a tilt at the Essex Vase. Two from three are making their six bend debuts while the other has had a sole six bend race at Monmore over 630 metres. In an Greyhound Star exclusive I can reveal that all three running for the McNairs tonight in the Essex Vase will also be entered for the BGRF British Bred derby at Sheffield starting on Tuesday. In an unusual but bold step all three will be trying to take the spoils in not one but two competitions practically side by side. If anyone can pull it off then it is Rab.
On this move Rab said: “I always thought about stepping them up and wanted to go for the Essex Vase. I know them so well and after two or three days they are still buzzing from running. After a week they go on a bit of a downer. A week between races is too long for them.
“I like to try these things. All three are fit enough for two competitions.”
First up for ‘team McNair’ is King Dylan in heat one at 7.03pm. The February ’17 whelp has had one six bend sole race over 630 metres at Monmore finishing fourth after finding trouble at the first and fourth bends. The drop to 575 metres tonight should be beneficial for the son of Eden The Kid and Skate on. Over four bends he is an ultra-consistent competition dog. He has been in multiple finals such as the Henlow puppy derby over 460 metres, the Winter derby at Hove over 490 metres, the British Bred produce stakes at Swindon over 480 metres and most recently the Eclipse final at Nottingham over 500 metres. If taking to Romford he could be a big player.
Rab McNair on him said: “King Dylan will get the trip standing on his head. The 575 metres will be nothing to him. I have no doubt he has the intelligence to run a track like Romford. He is a nice wee strong dog. Hopefully he keeps qualifying, he is that sort of dog. He is never beaten until the finishing line.
“He can get caught out for a bit of early but runs on strong. I maybe missed a trick not stepping him up to 575 metres earlier so thought we would give him a wee shot at Romford.
“He is running well just now. The Eclipse final was one of his best comps so far.”
Skybet are 5/2 for him to win the opening heat and 12/1 to take the outright spoils.
King Cash is next up for ‘team McNair’ in heat five at 8.06pm. The son of Eden The Kid and Skate On is another consistent competition dog but hasn’t quite hit the heights of his litter brother King Dylan. He has reached many semi finals but did beat Dylan in the final of the British Bred Produce Stakes at Swindon over 480 metres when finishing second. Unlike Dylan the February ’17 whelp has not had any races over longer trips and is making his six bend debut tonight. His running style suggests the trip is achievable and as a wide side should get favourable draws.
Rab on him said: “I think he will get the trip standing on his head. He did a 28.70 with the going off at Sheffield on Tuesday. At Sheffield it is a long run to the knock off and he wasn’t stopping. He ran a blinder there and is ready to go.
“He is so fit right now. He is well housed. Trap six is where he wants to be. He has a wee bit of experience and should handle Romford well.”
Bet365 make him a 5/2 shot to win his heat while Betfred are 22/1 for the outright market.
King Lennon is the last to go for ‘team McNair’ in heat six at 8.21pm. Like his litter brother Cash he is yet to attempt six bends but like the others looks more than capable of getting it. He has competed in many competitions like his litter brothers and has plenty of track experience. He is in fine fettle at the moment and the step up to six bends could really benefit him.
Rab on the last of his three runners said: “He had trap one on Tuesday night at Sheffield but after a discussion with the Racing Manager seeded him middle. He is a bit hit or miss at the boxes. He ran well on Tuesday at Sheffield and is bouncing now.
“I would be surprised if any of the three don’t get the trip. I may of missed a trick not stepping him up sooner.
“Like the other two he is fit enough for two competitions.”
Ladbrokes and Corals are 7/2 for him to win on his six bend debut while several firms are offering 16/1 to claim the Essex Vase outright.
Crossfield Vince at home track Crayford has become a bit of a 540 metres specialist. Trained by local handler, Julie Luckhurst the son of Kinloch Brae and Crossfield Alba has won eight open races over the 540 metres trip. Tonight he races at Romford for the first time in heat four at 7.49pm. The June ’16 whelp won the Crayford Vase and was unlucky in the semi finals of the Gold Collar. He has had a recent spin over C&D clocking a good calculated time of 35.48 with a nippy 3.71 split along the way. He has nice early as he has showed at Crayford and can handle tight tracks well. Vince could be a lively outsider for the Essex Vase.
Julie on him said: “He did a nice trial and looked like he handled the track really well. The track is similar to Crayford and he took to Romford really well. I was well pleased.
“He is a bit of an age so it is now or never for him. He has proved himself as good as anything on his day at Crayford. When he gets it right he has tremendous early. He can stay strong as well.
“He was unlucky in the Gold Collar. He missed his break and found trouble. In a supporting race on final night he did a faster time than the winner of the Gold Collar final.
“Trap four is absolutely fine for him. Traps three or four are always a good draw for him. He is a proper middle dog.”
Skybet and Ladbrokes are 10/3 for him to win heat four while 33/1 is generally available for the ante post market.
