The first two in the betting for tonight’s Coral Essex Vase Final will have traveled well over 2,500 miles by the time they return to Northumberland this evening (3 races and a mandatory trial each x 630 miles)
Last week’s Romford returns
So it was with some sense of relief when the Angela Harrison trained pair Coolavanny Bani and Coolavanny Aunty both drew favourable boxes for the £10,000 decider.
Assistant trainer Jimmy Wright said: “I’m pleased enough with the draws, particularly the way our two are drawn with Bani on the inside; Aunty would be inclined to move slightly to the right as she comes out.
“But this is Romford and I see it being all about the break. If either of our two were to lead, I would be very disappointed if they didn’t win it. Of the two, Bani is the better breaker. She will come away from the different sets of traps.
“So far, Aunty hasn’t trapped as well as she can, she hasn’t taken to the Romford traps. If she was to come away in her best style, I’d be confident of her breaking 35.00 quite comfortably. She is a very fast bitch; though they both are.”
On semi final form, Aunty has four lengths in hand on her kennelmate though Jimmy is slightly cautious about clock watching.
He said: “They watered the track before Aunty’s semi final. Did that speed it up? You wouldn’t know. But this is a top class field and you have to respect the opposition. Nathan Hunt’s dog looks badly drawn in my view but if he was closer to the rail would have to be a serious player. He still might be. But if I had to pick our biggest danger it would be the Yarmouth dog (Drumdooit Bomber) because he has the early to get clear.”
Bresbet betting prior to the first round: 9-2 Coolavanny Aunty, 15-2 Coolavanny Bani, Dapper Rodney, 22-1 Kishlawn Shakira, 28-1 Sweet Pear, 66-1 Drumdoit Bomber
Final betting: 6-5 Coolavanny Aunty, 3-1 Coolavanny Bani, 9-2 Dapper Rodney, 6-1 Sweet Pear, 13-2 Kishlawn Shakira, 10-1 Drumdoit Bomber
