Cloran Paddy is the 10-3 ante post favourite for the William Hill Grand Prix – Swift Hansel who beat him in Saturday’s first round at Sunderland – is 7-1.
Heat 1 Shellam Delano (Westmead Hawk-Woodhill Spark, Nov 13) justified 4-7f favourtism in the opening heat, but had to pull on every ounce of his class to do so. Drawn orange, Angela Harrison’s runner found himself trailing Swift Lucius (T1) in the early stages before coming through to beat Geelo Jenga (T4 6-1) and Giro Day (T6 4-1). 40.06 1 1/4, 2
Heat 2 Rubys Rascal (Razldalz George-Swift Eva, Jul 14) doesn’t blast away very often. When he does, he is just about uncatchable over six bends. An even money favourite from trap three, he clocked the fastest sectional of the night (15.77) and was followed home by Droopys Tee (T4 6-1) and Tynwald Dinny (T5 20-1). Second favourite Cuba Libra (T1) finished fifth. 39.80 2 3/4, 3 3/4
Heat 3 Calzaghe Jan (Vans Escalade-Zaras Princess, Aug 14) avoided the worst of the trouble and favourite Barricane Tommy (T2) found the worst of it after a first bend collision with Smooth Reaction (T3 20-1) who dominated until the latter stages. The black jacketed Jan eventually picked up the leader and was followed over the line by Geelo Bullet (T1 7-2). 40.20 2, 1 1/4
Heat 4 Graigues Loch (Kinloch Brae-Graigues Toss, Feb 14) landed the tightest of the qualifiers which ended in a three-way photo finish. Kevin Boon’s brindle 5-1 chance had a long tussle with Dinnington Lady (T3 20-1) and Never Said Aword (T6 33-1) with favourite Rubys Razzle (T1 4-5f) eliminated after failing to clear the first bend in front. 40.01 sh, hd
Heat 5 THINKINGOFDARCY (Royal Impact-Fabulous Carmen, Oct 14) justified even money favouritism from trap five. Led up by Acomb Ruby, he swept past after the first half lap only to be overtaken by eventual runner-up Glamorus Sharif (T6 12-1) and kennelmate Mustang Golden (T3 7-2) 39.82 3 1/2, 1/2
Heat 6 Swift Hansel (Godsend-Swift Approach, Aug 14) produce the staying performance of the night n the final heat. Annellesse Thompson’s black jacketed 3-1 chance made all and held off a determined Cloran Paddy (T2 4-5f) with Garryglass Champ (T5 6-1) the only other runner seen with a chance. 39.35 3/4, 5 1/4