Towcester were crowned BAGS Track Champions at Perry Barr on Wednesday afternoon writes Jason Craddock.

The Midlands venue has four straight winners in the middle of the card which put them into a lead, which they never relinquished.

Track owner Lord Hesketh said afterwards: “I’m very proud of the many people that have put this together, like the owners, trainers and staff. It was a great effort. All the money won will go back into prizemoney and for the trainers, nothing will be retained.”

“Hopefully we will be allowed to defend this title. The economy of Birmingham will receive a big boost tonight.”

Racing manager Chris Page said: “It was a great team effort. Every one of our dogs has performed well after a poor start, which saw Roswell Raphael go badly lame.”

 

How things panned out:

 

Newcastle got off to the best start possible when their Bramble Robson landed the opening Youngster’s race.

Romford’s Droopys Ambition led to the turn but was swallowed up and Bramble Robson (5-2) forced his way round to lead and came home a length and three quarters in front of Baltylum Bumble in 28.79sec.

Meanwhile Towcester got off to the worst possible start when Roswell Raphael went lame at the second turn.

Winning trainer Steve Anderson said afterwards: “We hoped he would lead but he showed great early pace to win. We think he is open class but stayed loyal to Newcastle to run him in the Track Championship and he’s done well in the event.”

Points after leg 1: Newcastle 10, Belle Vue 7, Monmore 5, Romford 3, Hall Green 2, Towcester 1.

Paradise Cuba (2-1) landed a gamble for Hall Green in the Standard A Final over 480 metres.

Troilus led to half way for Belle Vue but was passed by Richard Baker’s Paradise Cuba, who went on to score beat Towcester runner Flemish Idea by almost six lengths in 28.45sec.

Points after two legs: Belle Vue 12, Hall Green 12, Newcastle 11, Towcester 8, Monmore 7, Romford 6.

Towcester banker Ballymac Shirley (11-10f) never put a foot wrong in the Standard Bitches Final over 480 metres.

Mark Wallis’s runner flew out of the boxes and was never seen again, eventually beating a staying on Newcastle runner Some Woman by four lengths in 28.23sec.

Wallis said afterwards: “She’s a progressive bitch and that’s six on the bounce. It’s good to see Towcester back on track after a poor start.”

Points after three legs:

Newcastle 18, Towcester 18, Belle Vue 17, Hall Green 13, Monmore 10, Romford 8.

Towcester pulled clear when St Leger Finalist Ferryforth Fran landed the Stayers A Final over 660 metres.

Newcastle hotpot Shellam Delano (4-6f) walked out of the boxes and was denied a clear course when coming through at the penultimate turn, eventually finishing third. Meanwhile Romford’s Janoan led for most of the way but was run out of it by Mark Wallis’s 4-1 chance Ferryforth Frank, who scored by a length and a quarter in 40.29sec.

Wallis said afterwards: “He got to the final of the St Leger on merit and took his chance well.”

Points after four legs

Towcester 28, Newcastle 23, Romford 18, Belle Vue 15, Hall Green 15, Monmore 13,

Towcester went further clear when Blackrose Cloud landed the Standard Dogs A Final over 480 metres.

Belle Vue runner Tarbrook Benji led till the penultimate turn but was passed by Towcester runner Blackrose Cloud, who went on to beat that rival by a length and a half in 28.52sec. Newcastle’s Sandyhill Hitman was third from a bad draw in six.

Winning trainer Steve Raynor said: “The dog was with Eric Cantillon and Derek Law and now me, but he is very useful and did it well.”

Points after five legs

Towcester 38, Newcastle 28, Hall Green 22, Romford 20, Belle Vue 18, Monmore 14,

Towcester made it four wins on the bounce when Magical Dougie landed the Standard B Final over 480 metres.

Monmore’s Rattling Thatch led to the third turn but was passed by Kevin Hutton’s 6-4 favourite Magical Dougie who went on to score by just over three lengths in 28.71sec. Newcastle’s Vicarage Nipper was third.

Points after six legs

Towcester 48, Newcastle 33, Hall Green 25, Romford 22, Monmore 21, Belle Vue 19

Bramble Bruno got Newcastle back on track by landing the Sprint Final at odds of 1-2.

Steve Anderson’s runner was soon clear and went on to beat Romford runner Millstretttrixie by just over three lengths in 16.06sec.

Anderson said: “We wanted to do the intertrack with the dog before we take him elsewhere. He had some very good form in Ireland when with Liam Dowling.”

Points after seven legs

Towcester 50 Newcastle 43, Hall Green 30, Romford29, Monmore 24 Belle Vue 20.

Delightful Girl landed the Standard Bitches B over 480 metres for Belle Vue.

Nigel Saunders’ bitch, a 5-2 chance, was soon clear and went on to hold Towcester’s Ribble Aon by a length and a quarter in 28.51sec. Newcastle’s Greenhill Beauty was third.

Points after eight legs

Towcester 57, Newcastle 48, Belle Vue 33, Hall Green 31, Romford 29, Monmore 26,

Towcester were crowned BAGS Track Champions with a race to spare after their Memphis Mafia finished third in the Standard Dogs B Final, which went to Hall Green’s Ballymac Turbo.

Romford’s Toot Hill Wizard led for much of the way and looked like hanging on but Angie Kibble’s Ballymac Turbo got up close home to score by a head in 28.84sec.

Points after nine legs

Towcester 62, Newcastle, Hall Green 41, Belle Vue 34, Monmore 29, Romford 36.

Hall Green cemented third place when Trapper Kerry landed the Stayers B Final over 660 metres.

Angie Kibble’s runner led on the fourth turn to hold Newcastle runner Elegant Lady by a short head in 401.5sec.

A kennel spokesman said: “She ran a cracker and it is great to win the last two races for the kennel and the track.”

Final standings: Towcester 67, Newcastle 57, Hall Green 51, Belle Vue 37, Romford 37, Monmore 31.