Touch Tackle, despite being a market drifter, justified 5-4 favouritism in the Coral Regency Final over 695 metres at Hove on Wednesday writes Jason Craddock.
Jim Daly’s runner, who drifted from 4-5 to 5-4 went five lengths clear with a lap to go but St Leger runner-up Millwards Teddy set off after him and ranged up alongside on the run-in looking like the winner, but couldn’t go past Touch Tackle who prevailed by half a length in 41.18sec.
Daly said afterwards: “We’re over the moon with him. When he led like that I thought he was going to win comfortably but Millwards Teddy made him work for it.”
“It’s great to win a race like the Regency. We knew this dog would make a good stayer from day one.
“We may give him a run out on Derby final night.”
Short priced favourite Evanta Evita was surprisingly picked up by 5-2 chance Shotgun Harley in the Sign Up For Coral Connect Trophy over 475 metres at 7.11.
Derek Knight’s runner, who holds a Derby entry, weaved his way through the field to pass the leader at the final turn and score by just over two lengths in 27.72sec.
Knight said afterwards: “We got him off Fraser Black and had a virus for quite a while and wasn’t staying. However we’ve sorted him out and he’s proving a revelation.
“He could make up into a six bend dog but will take in the Derby first.”
Crossfield Cesar turned the Follow @ Coralbetting On Instagram Puppy Stakes over 515 metres at 7.26 into a procession.
Seamus Cahill’s 4-6 favourite flew out of the boxes and was soon well clear. He eventually came home four lengths clear of Sleepy Joejoe in 29.63sec, the fastest time of the year.
Cahill said afterwards: “He was bought as a good dog and it’s nice to see everything going right with him.
“We didn’t put him in the Derby as he’s not two until September but he may go in the puppy race on Derby final night.”
Droopys Flash was another winner for the locals in the Bet Online, On Mobile, & In-Shop With Coral Stakes over 695 metres.
Clause Gardiner’s runner was son clear and just held on in a blanket finish to beat Woodmancote Bert by a head in 41.66sec.
Gardiner remarked: “He’s been running well in defeat in the Regency; he needs trap one and made full use of it tonight.”
Domino Storm was a facile winner of the Coral Backs Children With Cancer UK (Bitches) Trophy at 7.59.
Mark Wallis’s bitch absolutely rocketed from the boxes and had soon spread-eagled her field; eventually coming home almost four lengths clear of Westmead Lola in 29.77sec.
Kennelhand Sid Hewitt said: “She’s a great bitch and when she trapped out like that she was never going to get beaten.”
Alma Prince, the 6-4 favourite, turned the Download Coral from the App Store Trophy over 930 metres at 8.16 into a procession.
Alec Stone’s runner led with a lap to go and went on to slam Gymstarspringbok by 11 lengths in 57.07sec.
Owner Nicola Freeman said afterwards: “We weren’t sure whether he would stay but now we know he does and he performed well.
“The TV Trophy will be his main aim now.”
Alittlelesslip was a shock 16-1 winner of the Join Coral.co.uk –Bet £5 and get £20 Free Trophy over 515 metres hurdles at 8.33.
Bernie Doyle’s runner caught long-time leader Lenson Royal close home to prevail by three quarters of a length in 30.68sec.
Swift Keith justified favouritism in the Play The Coral Football Jackpot Trophy over 515 metres at 8.51.
John Mullins’ runner led from the turn and went on to hold the persistent Droopys Jarrow by a neck in 29.90sec. He is now Derby bound.
