Six years ago Mark Wallis sent out the first four home in the final of the Coral Coronation Cup but he admits that as a spectacle, he found the 2020 decider far more thrilling. . .

This is how is went.

Coronation Cup Final sectional: eventual winner Antigua Rum (t5 second left) is last with a lap remaining as Droopys Aoife (t3) disputes with Our Lucky Fool (t2) just ahead of Sparta Master (t4). Roman Empire (t1) hugs the inside rail, Maysthistlecrack (t6) is far left, next to the winner. Photo: © Steve Nash

A finalist behind Ice On Fire in last year’s Puppy Classic, Wallis had tipped Antigua Rum prior to the first round at 16-1 on his website.

Trainers Championship table to January 17

He said: “He ran very well in the first round but by the semi finals had drifted to 25-1. I had a suspicion that there could be an upset because there were so many good dogs in the race. There were several in there capable of a 34.80, but when you get so many of them together, you don’t tend to get those sort of times.

“I think the race really developed because of Paul’s outside (Our Lucky Fool) breaking so fast and not allowing Ernie’s two (Roman Empire, Droopys Aoife) to dominate.

“Although I am biased because we won it, by any standards it was a cracking race to watch. There were four different leaders and although there was an upset,Rum has clocked 35.06 and come from behind Sparta Master, so I don’t think anyone can call that a ‘lucky winner’

“I thought he ran superbly and showed so much determination and track craft to come through the field. Yes, 34.70 trap to line favourites might be impressive, but give me a race like last night any time.”

Corals announced a £5,000 bonus announced just a day before the final, and the champion trainer thinks the extra cash was well merited.

He said: “With all due respect to the Essex Vase, the Coronation Cup was a better final. In fact, the competition has got better and better every year, probably since our ‘first four’ all those years ago and to see it guaranteed Category One status next year is great news for racing.

“It is all down to Ian Smyth (Ladbrokes Coral Head of Stadia) and the great job he is doing for the four bookmaker owned tracks. We had a discussion about the Coronation Cup a while ago. He clearly went away and thought about it and then made his decision. He has been like a breath of fresh air to this industry.”

Antigua Rum with (L-R) Mark Wallis, Daniel Wallis and kennelhand Kevin Ulla and the ‘doubled up’ prize money cheques for winning the Coral Coronation Cup. Photo: © Steve Nash

ANTIGUA RUM Coronation Cup winner. Photo: © Steve Nash