Seventh Brigadier commanding in Essex Vase

Imperial Kennel has a long history with the Coral Essex Vase going back to Honky Tonk Gal (’99), Top Power (’02), Eye Onthe Veto (’06 & ’07), Reel Trickyone (’13) and Adageo Bob (’15).

Brigadier Bullet, who didn’t get a run on Shelbourne’s Night Of Stars, put himself into prime position to become the seventh winner of the event with FON performance in Friday night’s first round heats.

Click on heat results to watch replays

On a night when five of the six heat winners were soon clear, it was 11-2 ante post favourite Droopys Gold who got matters underway in the opening heat. Available at 5-4 on early prices, Seamus Cahill’s made it three wins from four over course and distance. The qualifier also saw the elimination of the apparent Wallis first string and joint second favourite in the ante post field, Saleen Ash.

Prime Time, profiled in Friday’s Robs Romford Round Up, made a lucrative winning debut for Phil Simmonds. In what turned out to be the most competitive finish of the night, the strapping British bred held off the resilient odds on favourite Maysthistlecrack by three quarters of a length.

Minnies Highway, who has already reached the finals of the 2017 Queen Mother Cup, Regency, ‘The Steps’, Great North Run and St.Leger took a step towards another major decider with the only ‘off the pace’ run of the night. John Mullins’ dependable black who drifted to 7-4 from 11-10 ‘first prices’ reeled in Barricane Carina, contesting her second Essex Vase of the year. His reward a slot in the toughest semi final (see below).

It is ten months since Shotgun Bullet ran away with the Coronation Cup in 35.25 (-20) over course and distance. Derek Knight’s runner – best priced at 13-8 earlier in the day – looked the tremendous value at 11-4 and produced a flawless trap to line win in 35.09.

Brigadier Bullet was one of the best backed dogs of the day, edging in from 9-4 early prices to 7-4 on the night. But the 14-1 ante post shot, whose previous best over course and distance was 35.52 clocked the fourth fastest time of the year, just six spots adrift of January’s Essex Vase winner, the unfortunate, Murrys Act.

Sporting Dave, who began life as an open race sprinter, produced the fastest sectional on the night that he contested the first six bend event of his career. The Cahill’s apparent second string was seven spots quicker than his kennelmate at the sectional but a length slower a circuit later. Nevertheless an impressive staying debut and the pair meet in next Friday’s semis