There will be a few trainers who would have been gutted when they saw the draw for the ARC Grand Prix at Sunderland.
Traditionally it seems to be an event where the winner can be chosen from a short list of two/three. Not so this time. The bookies have made Aayamza Magic a 5-1 favourite. But with Savana Regara seventh in the betting and still only 9-1, it does have a ‘finger in the air and see which way the wind blows’ feel to it.
To be honest though, there has been significant ‘padding out’ once you get past the principles and a hefty drop into moderate graders.
A cracking first heat with the inside three likely to dominate the betting. With a line of form showing he had come from behind to beat last year’s Prix winner Coolavanny Aunty in an open at Newcastle, followed by a tenacious back-of-the-field run to land the Queen Mother Cup, it is impossible to avoid the chances of Darbys Delight. But for a couple of slightly disappointing defeats by Low Pressure at Monmore, Tom Heilbron’s runner had looked to be in a class of his own. The biggest danger is Ted Soppitt’s Skywalker Stan who landed the ARC Puppy Trophy over the shorter trip last year. If the draw had been reversed with red, the selection might have been different, because getting past around the outside looks a big ask. Unless he leads of course. Regera has reached two Cat One finals but lacks course experience.
1-3-2
In terms of proven open class form over six bends, it is impossible to ignore the credentials of Longacres Bullet. Pat Doocey’s runner has been in excellent form at his home track and is a confident selection. The inside pair are both potential stayers with a handful of relevant lines of form between them but no a lot else of note.
3-1-2
A very mediocre open race with minimal lines of open race form. Narrow guess for Onyago Gill
3-2-5
This is more like it. Two Wallis runners drawn against each other and the layers edging it to Essex Vase winner Aayamza Magic. It is anyone’s guess whether he or kennelmate Coonough Crow will be better suited to the course though a trial win over Antigua Sugar would give some cause for optimism. Little between the Heilbron pair either but last year’s finalist Titan Jim is known to run the place well.
2-3-5
