JONATHAN HOBBS: One of the great Romford competitions starts tonight with the Champion Stakes live on RPGTV and Jonathan Hobbs is here with his preview.
It’s a race with a fantastic history, but the 2019 running will be unique – the track has now been ‘flipped’ as part of the stadium’s exciting redevelopment and the winning line is now in front of the newly refurbished and soon-to-open main grandstand.
Romford’s 575m events never fail to disappoint. They are hugely competitive with crowd favourites returning to the Essex Venue time and time again – and this year’s field includes its fair share of big-race winners and top-class performers.
Eyes down then for the Coral Champion Stakes heats at Romford tonight.
Heat one (7.17)
Could it be a shrewd move from Kevin Hutton to have trialled Ballymac Diego over the sprint recently? He moved well then and might get first run down the middle. Conversely market rival Shoot The Bolt needs to get round Leemount Venus.
Play: Ballymac Diego
Lay: Shoot The Bolt
Heat two (7.33)
Chubbys Caviar showed battling qualities to win last week and can launch her campaign in the best possible style. Mark Wallis has a fantastic Champion Stakes record – note Bombers Bullet’s runaway win last year – and should again play a major hand this year.
Play: Chubbys Caviar
Heat three (7.49)
Great to see Monmore Summer Stayers Classic winner Sheldan embark on another big-race campaign and her stamina will make her a threat with a clear run, although clearing Antigua Vows might not be easy. John Mullins’ Romeo Rumble looks plotted for a run – at a price.
Play: Romeo Rumble
Heat four (8.06)
A clash of two previous Romford big-race champions in Shotgun Bullet and Desperado Dan, both of whom are tough to beat off the front. Shotgun has been showing good speed at Crayford and can get first run – Dan needs to counter a rails move from Rockmount Ozzy.
Play: Shotgun Bullet
Lay: Desperado Dan
Heat five (8.21)
A crackerjack affair featuring the new – or now old – track record holder in Quantum Leap. Pam Dolby’s dog set new figures (34.62) for 575m before the switch. Can he repeat the dose? Also, in Sporting Dave he takes on one of the most consistent runners in training.
Play: Sporting Dave
Lay: Quantum Leap
Heat six (8.38)
The final Champion Stakes heat and a competitive affair. The connections of last year’s winner will have high hopes for Brigadier Bullet, but the four-bend speed of Patrick Godfrey’s Arthur Noodle catches the eye – but only if clearing Swift Tarquin.
Play: Arthur Noodle
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