The £10,000 to the winner competition concludes on the 22nd of October, with the final often one of the best races of the year.
McNair to lay down a marker
Warzone Tom was brutally efficient when winning a trial stake for this competition last Friday night. Connections were happy to send him without a prior trial and he found that no issue, winning by more than ten lengths.
He is entitled to come on for that spin given that it was his first at the track but he wouldn’t need to step up on the time he produced to be a huge player in the competition as a whole. Liz McNair’s charge can land the 19.36 with another smart display of early pace.
Queen Aoife to start her competition with a win
Droopys Aoife is without question one of the most popular dogs in the country and her moniker as the current Queen of Romford is well earned.
She made the final of the Empress Stakes at Towcester when last in action, a refresher here in a trial can put her spot on for another success for Gemma Evans in the 19.56.
One winner plus another for Evans is simple addition
Evans can get her night started with Droopys Addition at 19.18. He has not quite been at his best in recent starts here but a middle draw is more suitable for him early on than trap one where he has been berthed the last twice.
St Leger winner Night Time Danny is a stiff opponent but he arrives without a previous look at this venue and with all his form on a much stiffer track, he looks worth taking on.
Doorus to jet into the semis
Doorus Jet is in the form of his life at present for Derek Knight, looking the way to go in the 18.58. He caught the eye when runner-up excellent yardstick Smallmead two weeks back when badly hampered, making no mistake last time out.
The move to a wider draw has been a big help to him and with four railers inside him, he can get plenty of space in which to operate in the early stages of this contest.
Weatherall to hustle them
The opening heat at 18.43 is a super contest where Nipsey Hustle can get first run on them for Carol Weatherall. He has been keeping good company in Category 1 company all year so a task of this magnitude is nothing new.
Bombardier in trap 2 is the one they have to beat on the bare form but he will need to be on his toes when the lids open from this slot to avoid getting into trouble early on, trouble that could set the selection free round the outside.