JONATHAN HOBBS: Romford hosts a huge double-header tonight, staging both the Coral Champion Stakes and Coral Romford Puppy Cup finals plus the heats of the Coral Cesarewitch and the ‘semi-finals’ of the Coral Guys and Dolls.
This means one of the best ever meetings at the London Road venue and those fortunate enough to be among the restricted and socially distanced crowd are in for a treat – as are those watching on RPGTV, kicking off a superb weekend of action which continues into the early part of next week.
Tomorrow it’s the final of the BoyleSports Irish Derby, while on Sunday the BGBF Produce Stakes Final is the feature at Swindon. Monday it’s more Derby Trial Stakes at Nottingham, then Tuesday comes the Gain 3 Steps To Victory semi-finals and Brinkley Poet At Stud Young Guns heats, all at Sheffield. Game on!
But eyes down for tonight at Romford and a few potentially tasty wagers.
Romford Friday
6.09: On Romford Puppy Cup Final night, it’s great to see the 2018 champion Grays Cup Winner on the card – and Nathan Hunt’s dog could kick off the night in the right way for his legion of fans. Comeback trials have been top notch, although a snappy break is crucial.
Play: Grays Cup Winner T5
6.28: A typically trappy 400m contest where the draw could see Druids Brazona shine for Henlow’s Jason Bloomfield. He was crowded out last week but the switch to the rails helps matters and a recent sprint win at Central Park showed the necessary speed.
Play: Druids Brazona T1
6.43: Jet Stream Mags ran a decent race in the heats of the Guys and Dolls last week and looks a bitch-in-form for Carol Grasso. A best time of 24.10sec for this C&D likely does the trick – and a recent win from the white jacket suggests the midfield pitch can be handled.
Play: Jet Stream Mags T3
6.58: Bubbly Magnum set the standard in the heats of the Puppy Cup with a sensational run on debut and, while knocked out in the semis, his 23.62sec is tough to ignore in this pups event. A flashy start sets up a great battle with the well-drawn Our Boy Seamus.
Play: Bubbly Magnum T4
7.18: Aayamza Royale is a red-hot favourite here and understandably so. She came through strongly to win over 750m recently and shapes as if this test suits. However Zascandil could be ahead of her and Kevin Boon’s Regency hero does gallop on well.
Play: Zascandil T5
7.36: Three Ems has been bought by The Champagne Club Syndicate and has her first run for Paul Young tonight in this heat two of the Coral Cesarewitch. Her two wins over C&D have been impressive and she’s shaping as the next marathon star.
Play: Three Ems T1
7.56: It’s difficult to ignore the claims of Micks Little Gem. Michelle Brown’s runner won last year’s Dorando on Derby final night and, while perhaps not at that level, might still have too much for these. If not, local hope and sister Mays Sweetpea takes advantage.
Play: Micks Little Gem T6
Alternative: Mays Sweetpea T2
8.17: Ballymac Micko gets the vote in the Guys final of the Guys and Dolls. Jim Reynolds’ dog returned from a successful Irish campaign with victory in the heats over Antigua Romeo and can repeat the dose – if trapping well. Romeo turns the tables if not.
Play: Ballymac Micko T2
Alternative: Antigua Romeo T1
8.38: Holdem Lauren posted the fastest time of the night last week in the heats of the Guys and Dolls and could be tough to hold again. Carol Weatherall’s bitch paces up well, although will look to get across. Trouble inside might let in the speedy Roxholme Irene.
Play: Holdem Lauren T3
Alternative: Roxholme Irene T5
8.54: It’s the final of the Coral Romford Puppy Cup and a typically trappy affair. A case can be made for most, but there’s been plenty to like about Lightfoot Ripley’s two races and Jimmy Fenwick’s dog surely comes forward again. Trap four tonight works for him better than the inside having moved off from the red jacket last week. The Newcastle raider could be away and gone. The draw inside helps Tenpin – especially if the local traps smartly.
Play: Lightfoot Ripley T4
9.12: It’s the Coral Champion Stakes Final and Smallmead is tough to get away from. Her heat and semi-final victories were achieved in runaway style and in rapid times, too. Both were from trap one and, had she been given the red-box again, John Mullins’ bitch would have been even shorter in the market. Clearing Desperado Dan is no given, but the vote goes her way, although give improving View King a shout with a ping-start.
Play: Smallmead T2
Alternative: View King T5
9.28: The Romford finale sees another short shot in the shape of Droopys Aoife, who will be tough to beat as last year’s Essex Vase champion. Ernie Gaskin’s bitch just never got the breaks in the Champion Stakes semis last week but bosses proceedings tonight.
Play: Droopys Aoife T2
Good luck all.
Did you know that as well as checking the realtime prices on BETDAQ below – you can also log into your account and place your bets directly into BETDAQ from BETDAQ TIPS.
