After the excitement of the Essex Vase final last week, the Friday card at Romford lacks a little bit of sparkle this time around.
There are still winners to be found, however, and a fascinating maiden 575m competition over three heats to get stuck into.
Bomber to Blast his Rivals Away
Drumdoit Bomber took a brief spin on the lead in the Essex Vase final last week, but was no match for Coolavanny Aunty, finishing fourth in the end. He had taken down that winner in the heats, so he is more than capable of showing his class again.
This looks a nice launching pad for him to use his early pace to get on the front end once more for Paul Burr. If he can get on the bunny, he is going to take plenty of stopping in the 21.42.
Hunt’s Omeara to Gain Revenge
There has not been much between Scala Omeara and Antigua Socks when they have met, the latter getting the better of the selection last week when he was able to have his own way on the rails.
That looks unlikely to happen again in the 21.28 tonight, with Corrin Logan drawn directly on his left. As such Scala Omeara can slip away around the outside for Nathan Hunt and build up too much of a lead to be caught.
Six Bends to Fire up Doyle’s Girl
It’s interesting to see Bernie Doyle step Fire Paper up to 575m for the first time at 19.56. She goes well enough to the pickup over 400m to think that it is worth giving her a try over this longer trip.
She has some very smart early pace to her credit over that distance so should be able to lead up without too much of an issue. If her stamina holds then she will prove tough to reel back in again.
Up in Trip But Down in Class
Balterio has been keeping some decent company over 500m at Towcester of late for Mark Wallis having made the final of the Category 1 Steel City Cup at Sheffield at the end of October.
That level of form sets a solid standard for the others to aim at in the 20.17. He has only had a single look here when leading up another very smart yardstick and should improve on that tonight.
Barnard Set to Plunder Staying Contest
The opening 575m maiden heat is at 19.36 where Montrose makes most appeal for trainer Irene Barnard. He beat Corrin Logan in a trial here in January which has looked smart form since with that rival franking it with a pair of wins.
Montrose himself is a very strong runner over 462m at Yarmouth and has long looked the right type for this step up to a sharp six bends. Tonight is his chance to show that impression is correct.
