One of the big Friday’s of the year at Romford with the Champion Stakes the centre of attention over 575m. The competition this year has been as competitive as usual, and the final is wide open.
Addition to Win the Sum of £10,000
The big contest of the night at 20.54 can go to Droopys Addition for Gemma Evans. He has the early pace to sneak around in front on the inside and kick away, with the pair either side of him lacking his early boot.
The other railers in the contest are stronger stayers than he is, but they may well end up looking for the same gaps late on. He will have the other early paced type in 6 (Gymstar Elusive) to contend with, but he can see off that short runner.
Blueberry to Show She’s a Super Stayer
A missed break saw Blueberry Bullet beaten over this 750m trip last week, but she should make no mistake from a middle slot. She has done some good work from trap three this year, looking set to maintain that.
There is plenty of early pace for this sort of contest, but she has the pick of that if she can come away in her best fashion. If she turns in front, she will take an awful lot of catching for Mark Wallis in the 20.17.
Tom to Find This Week Less of a Warzone
Another one to suffer after missing the kick seven nights back was Warzone Tom, finding all sorts of trouble as a result. That cost him a place in the Champion Stakes final, but he can make some amends at 19.56 for Liz McNair.
He was incredibly impressive in both his wins here prior to his disappointment last week, and a return to that level of form will have these stretched out across Essex from the get-go.
Mcellistrim to Win With Blake
Norah McEllistrim may not have the quality of years past, but her sole runner on the card, Ayle Blake, can show the kennel are still more than capable at this level with a win in the 8.38.
A rail mover in four inside him should allow him to pace into a lead at the opening turn, and his previous form at this track should see him home in front from that position.
Grandad to Rediscover Cork Form
One of the most exciting runners on the card is Lylas Grandad in the 21.12 for Nathan Hunt. He has not shown the same level of form so far in England that he did in Ireland, but this might be the time to catch him.
His two best runs at Cork both came when he sported the red jacket of trap one. His two starts at this track have come from traps four and five, so a chance is taken that a return to the rails can see him back to his best.