Glenpadden Ace, the latest of Barrie Draper’s May 2013 Ace Hi Rumble – Glen Padden Bay team of racers to reach the track, continues to push the envelope. The dog completed an open race hat-trick at Sheffield on Tuesday when he justified odds-on favouritism to beat Farran Sexton by three and a half lengths in the second fastest time of the year – 28.55 for the 500 metres. It was marginally the best recorded over course and distance by the litter to date, ‘Lord’ has a best of 28.59, and ‘Wood’ has recorded 28.95.
Who Needs Class has been the dog to follow at Hove in recent weeks after completing a treble on Thursday. Seamus Cahill’s runner started his winning sequence in A4 class when leading at the opening turn to score in 30.21sec (-20). Upped to A3 grade, the son of Droopys Scolari was soon clear and went on to beat Cause Of Justice by a length and a half in 30.33sec (-20). The treble was completed in A2 class when after a missed break, he came through strongly at the third turn to eventually beat Golf Walk by half a length in 30.26sec (-20).
Headford Joe is responsible for three of the fastest 12 times of the year over 380 metres at Crayford after winning the £500 Ladbrokes.com Sprint Trophy on Saturday. Katie O’Flaherty’s runner pulled clear from the opening turn to beat Knockmoy Jack by just over five lengths in 23.30sec. The son of Lughil Jo’s best time of the year is 23.18sec, which is fifth fastest, some 21 spots slower than You Never Listen’s 2015 best of 22.97sec.
Julie Luckhurst will have half the field in Saturday’s final of the Ladbrokes.com Dual Distance Trophy final over 714 metres. Her Fort Hill Storm went quickest in the first heat when going clear from the opening turn to slam Woodmancote Bert by seven and a half lengths in 33.93sec. Knockane Tiger made it a double when a surprise winner of the second qualifier. The Ace Hi Rumble dog made every metre to slam Stunning Harvey by almost six lengths in 34.12sec.
Blackstone Hugh went unbeaten through the A3 Owners Bonus Series over 450 metres at Poole. David Dodd’s runner clocked the fastest time in the heats with 27.33sec and went into the decider as the 5-4 favourite. The son of Makeshift gave his supporters a few anxious moments when missing the break and running into third bend trouble. However he was soon back on an even keel and came through late to deny long-time leader Best Fit and score by three quarters of a length in 27.70sec. The victory earned his connections the £500 first prize.
