Monmore racegoers were treated to one of the finishes of this, or any other year, when the first two over the line in an A2 event dead-heated, with the third and fourth placed runners also dead-heating just a neck back.
The joint winners were Rich Spirit (T1) and Excellence (T6). A neck further back were Droopys Logan (T2) and Inky Boom (T3). All six runners finished within 19 spots.
Paul Johnson, who was officiating at the meeting said: “As the photo shows, one of the runners was obscured so we had no option other than to call it a dead-heat.”
And the grader?
“Steve Rowlinson has to take the credit for that” added Johnson.
The (non racing office) performance of the night went to Lindean Loch (Kinloch Brae-Risky Trophy, Jul 14) who won a staying maiden in the 69th race of her career.
Ian Walker’s black led at the third bend and won by nine lengths in 38.43 (-40) for the 630 metres. She had previously won three O/Rs over the Perry Barr standard trip but was running A6 at Wimbledon two years ago.
Away Shelly (Droopys Jet-Danielles Shelly, Feb 15) added her name to prestigious roll of honour when landding the Coral Brighton Belle at Hove on Thursday.
Matt Dartnall’s 5-4f went from trap one with last year’s winner Banabane (T5 7-2) and Beechers Spirit (T6 5-2) the other key player. . .
The winner recorded the fastest time of the night by some margin – Crossfield Giles landed the next quickest open in 30.24.
It was a run fitting of a competition that has previously been won by the likes of Wexford Minx, Westmead Chick, I’m Okay, Jazz Hurricane and Bridge Ruth.
It was a particularly good night for trainer Matt Dartnall who also landed the £500 sprint final with his only other runner, Hoo Har (Zero Ten-Lady Jayne, Oct 15). The time, 16.27 (-10)
