Not the same quality tonight at Romford that we have been used to of late. That said, there are a pair of maiden finals that, in the case of the stayers contest especially, can throw up a winner to follow through the year.
Wallis to Land the 575M Final
Balterio proved well-suited to the step-up in trip last week, running riot in his heat for Mark Wallis. He is capable of trapping better than he did seven nights ago, which has to be a scary proposition for his rivals.
Having kept warm company over four bends, he had looked as if this trip might be a benefit to him. Now that he has proved that to be the case, it can open up more opportunities for him after the 20.54.
Conor to Prove Too Classy
The race was all over last week as soon as Millridge Conor turned in front. He is a powerful performer over the 400m trip for Martyn Wiley, so nothing was ever going to be able to pick him up.
Things will be more difficult for him to execute those same tactics in the 20.38, but if he can turn clean just a couple of lengths off the pace, he should prove too strong for them in any case.
Bomber to Make Amends
Very little split Drumdoit Bomber from Antigua Princess last week, but the selection was unusually slow into stride from the boxes, so was always having to play catch up. That was always going to make it a challenging task.
A draw in red isn’t exactly ideal for him, but he generally traps out well and is a very different dog when he gets on the bunny. If he can turn in front for Paul Burr at 21.42, he can maintain the gallop.
Robins to See Tony Back to Winning Ways
Third in the final of the Golden Collar at Crayford back in November behind Warzone Tom, Glenvale Tony looks to have a gilt-edged opportunity to get off the mark over six bends in the 18.58.
He was less than four lengths behind one of the smartest performers in the country over this sort of trip on that occasion, and while he doesn’t win anything like often enough for one of his abilities, this can come together nicely for Keith Robins’s charge.
Fascinating Runner Steps up to Six Bends
Maxine Locke steps Droopys Garden up to 575m for the first time at 20.17. She gives the impression that she is worth a try, hitting the line hard over 400m and keeping going on the way to the pickup.
That is not always the strongest indication as the hare is pulled away, so they are chasing nothing at that point, but it certainly gives hope she will stay. Her most recent win, over 400m, was sub 24 seconds; a repeat of that to ⅔ distance would see her take some catching.
*All odds correct at time of writing.