JONATHAN HOBBS: Perry Barr stages a superb open-race card tonight with the semi-finals of both the Arc St Leger and M Lambe Construction Birmingham Cup.
Perry Barr stages a superb open-race card tonight with the semi-finals of both the Arc St Leger and M Lambe Construction Birmingham Cup.
Both are GBGB Category One events. The Birmingham Cup has been upgraded this year under the backing of the family of local trainer John Lambe in memory of his father and that event plus the stayers’ Classic means racegoers and Sky Sports Racing viewers should be in for a treat.
In addition to the main events, supporting competitions take place for pups and for the sprinters – so let’s have a look at the pick of the bets at the Birmingham track.
Perry Barr
6.26: Trumps Benefit has looked above-average in his ten races and should lay down another serious challenge for a puppy title in this second heat. Already a big-race winner at Hove and a finalist at Nottingham, the sheer strength and all-round speed of Carol Weatherall’s youngster can win the day with a clear – especially after a lively sprint trial.
Play: Trumps Benefit
6.59: Adeles Duke gave connections great fun during the Derby and that form has continued. Lee Field’s dog won his heat of the Birmingham Cup in good style and a repeat should do the trick in this first semi. Key will be coping with the speed to the bend of Headford Flash, but the inside line should help the white-jacketed runner make hay.
Play: Adeles Duke
7.16: The first St Leger semi-final and Blueberry Bullet has the edge on the clock after last week’s heats and should continue to improve. Mark Wallis’s runner remains a lightly-raced sort with a solid turn of early pace and a lead is very much on the cards, although expect the likes of Southfield Code and Barnagrane Amber to keep up the pressure in behind.
Play: Blueberry Bullet
7.51: The first heat of the sprint comp and a cracking clash between Headford Buzz and Skipalong Sarge. The latter is one of the most improved sprinters around with 13 wins on the card and arrives looking to land a hat-trick. However Dapper Man next door is a very lively local and preference is for Kevin Hutton’s Headford Buzz after an eye-catching trial.
Play: Headford Buzz
8.06: A cracking second semi-final of the Birmingham Cup sees huge pace to the bend. Monateen Mikey will have his supporters out wide as an improving pup, but preference is for Havana Class. Liz McNair’s dog is due a better exit and is a tough nut to crack with a lead as the Laurels champ over C&D. Clearing Coolavanny Kyser and Frankies Jet is key.
Play: Havana Class
8.21: A trappy St Leger semi-final now and Space Jet might be the answer. He was noted making late gains in the heats last week after a slow start and troubled early run and could take some holding if on the premises early. Improvement from Matt Dartnall’s lightly-raced stayer is more likely than not, as it is from well-drawn Aayamza Dream inside.
Play: Space Jet
8.36: Another sprint heat now and Matts Malibu gets the vote over well-drawn improver Elderberry Itoje. The former has been in great form for David Mullins of late and pinged to lead at Towcester last time – same again here? That said any mistakes would let in the Monmore speedster inside who has impressed in recent C&D trials.
Play: Matts Malibu
9.11: Candy Man rode a bump well to almost land the spoils in the heats last week so takes some holding with a clearer run. Carol Weatherall’s recent Sheffield finalist came straight to Perry Barr after that event so improvement is more likely than not. That said a flier from either Forest Gold and Ballynabee Lucky might mean they need pegging back.
Play: Candy Man
9.26: The third St Leger semi and Savana Volcano is a marathon star who makes the most of any crowding amongst her rivals and cannot be ruled out given her powerful style of running. However Mark Wallis’s Bombardier has stepped up in trip really well with back-to-back wins here and could soon be bowling along – if clearing Night Time Danny, however.
Play: Bombardier
Good luck all.
@Hobbsy67
