JONATHAN HOBBS: Get set for one of the best-loved meetings of the year – Ladbrokes Golden Jacket Final morning at Crayford.
The one-time betting shop showcase, first run in 1975 at Harringay, is worth £17,500 to the winner and this year’s field is top-class with a host of big-race winners and champions. Unravelling the finale, staged over 714m, is certainly not easy.
The betting suggests Antigua Fire and Roxholme Poppy have the edge and, if both are able to run their race, that will be borne out. However the break is crucial and Golden Jackets down the years have not always gone to plan.
Last week we suggested Volcanic Reef had a chance of upsetting the odds in the Coral Winter Derby Final – and bingo! So, who is most likely to cause a shock this week should Antigua Fire and Roxholme Poppy come together, which is possible?
Sheldan certainly has a fine draw, Skilful Sandie impressed last year and Avastorm starts and stays as well as away. However Champion Stakes winner Aayamza Express is yet to break well and could shock them all on her big-race winning form over 575m.
Either way, it looks a crackerjack affair befitting a top-class morning with the £2,000 Peter Bussey Memorial Final, the traditional Chief Ramsbottom Hurdle over 540m plus a superb 1,048m maxi-marathon playing a supporting role. The better bets are below.
Crayford
11.06 A bitches’ contest with locals Droopys Pen and Touchdown Erin set to dominate. The latter gets a narrow vote to strike for the Belinda Green camp. Last week’s return after a short break could see the Oaks runner-up raise her game to win.
Play: Touchdown Erin
11.36 Another bitches-only affair and Comeonyoubees might be better drawn than when last here. Matt Dartnall’s runner has racked up the wins at Hove in recent weeks and, given this switch to the red jacket, could use a likely lead to best effect.
Play: Comeonyoubees
12.06 Time for the Peter Bussey Memorial Final and Goldies Symnsy was the eye-catcher to qualify last week and looks an exciting sort. However defending champion Droopys Noodle is due a better exit and could make a successful defence of the title.
Play: Droopys Noodle
12.21 Twelve bends of the Kent track make this a real test with Micks Little Gem set to take some pegging back. Michelle Brown’s bitch can race into a healthy lead which will be needed given Rockmount Mint and Jetstream Moment will chase hard behind her.
Play: Micks Little Gem
Alternative/forecast: Jetstream Moment
12.36 It’s the Ladbrokes Golden Jacket Final and Roxholme Poppy and Antigua Fire have dominated the event thus far, certainly on the clock. Both arrive for tonight’s final as the fastest in the competition and big-race winners already. The Mark Wallis-trained Antigua Fire has the edge on the clock and has been brilliant thus far, but the split times for 380m favour Poppy and it is difficult to see her being reeled-in should the Hayley Keightley-trained runner boss proceedings. Of course, all this is dependent on them avoiding each other in the dash to the turn. Skilful Sandie (Patrick Janssens) impressed in the semi-finals and looks a contender on that form, while Avastorm and Aayamza Express are both consistent sorts for Team Wallis – the latter is due a fast break, surely. Sheldan is top-class for Kevin Boon and has a peach of a draw, although in a clean-run race has something to find on semi-final form with Antigua Fire.
Play: Roxholme Poppy
Alternative: Aayamza Express
The rest of the card could see Taydal Boy (12.54) continue his consistent run of form with a strong-running success for Paul Dale, while Affleck Bolt (1.07) should lead main rival Zascandil before plundering a 714m supporting contest for the Janssens camp.
Good luck everyone.
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