It seems like only yesterday that Coolavanny Shado was taking Winter Derby honours from what appeared to be a disastrous draw pre-race, but a missed break was likely his race winning manoeuvre – unusually! He managed to tuck onto the rail and show his customary blistering early pace before settling things down the back straight when kicking clear of nearest rival Burnchurch Mick.
Shado reappears this year for a crack at defending his title, and so does another of last years finalists, Hesoneofourown. Both will be hoping for the same run through again, however given the strength of this years renewal, it’s going to be that little bit tougher. Let’s get into it.
*HEAT 1 RACECARD*
Racing manager Tony Williamson expressed his apologies to the connections of runners missing out this year, and if you take a look at the first runner drawn in heat 1 it gives you an idea of the strength of dog he was dealing with. Romeo Cypher will be a leading player in this heat. A recent track record breaking winner of the BGBF Puppy Cup at Oxford, he’s nicely drawn in red to take command early here. Whether he can stay there however, might just be another matter. Derby plate winner Whyaye Man returns to Monmore for the first time since contesting the final of the Gold Cup over C&D in 2023, and I think he can be the one to get after Romeo Cypher and take heat 1. Derby semi finalist Burj Khalifa, known for his powerful high and wide finishes, will be there if any tussling holds up the front pair. I think he can run on for 3rd.
Prediction – 2-1-6
*HEAT 2 RACECARD*
Ballycleary Ten and Richard Rees’ Nowitsmyturn may hold the key to the race with the run to the corner looking absolutely crucial. Trap 2 runner, Ballycleary Ten, has “Moved Off” and “Middle” comments on his card, while Rees’ trap 3 runner, Nowitsmyturn, has “Railed” and “Rails” comments on his. Given the choice, Rees would surely want to be on the inside of Ballycleary Ten. With that said, it could all fall into place for Tom Heilbron’s charge in trap 4, Bogger Rambo. This dog came over with a reputation to uphold in 2023, and in flashes he’s shown speed. Notably in a trial session on the 20th January at Doncaster, when he was 54 spots quicker than superstar kennel mate Links Maverick. Now sure, Links Maverick wasn’t anywhere near fully fit, and he probably wouldn’t replicate that if they ran against each other today, but it can’t go unnoticed, and he can cheat an awkward draw in trap 4 to make all here. Getupmeboy bounced back to form last week with a trial stake win, and he can be 2nd. Bangon the clock (formerly Good Maestro) will be finishing well out wide on his UK debut for Richie Taberner, but 3rd can go to solid local runner, Swift Battery, in trap 1.
Prediction – 4-5-1
*HEAT 3 RACECARD*
Reigning Steel City cup winner, Swift Iconic, will look to smash out and make all here in what looks a C&D to treasure for him. Remarkably this is the first look at the track for the son of Droopys Roddick x Swift Biology, and that might just catch him out for victory, although a qualifying place looks well within reach. Skywalker Pele looks interesting for Ted Soppit. The sole wide seed in the race, he should have all the room in the world on the run up, and though he is known to cut in at the bends, he should be fine. He starts and stays, and while he will need to be clever at the corner, he can win this. Getup Me Lad exploded from the traps last week and if doing so again will be a player. He’ll need to with Swift Iconic on his inside however, and with that said, I think he’ll be 3rd.
Prediction – 6-1-2
*HEAT 4 RACECARD*
Shall we flip a coin? Where to start with this, there’s class throughout and it wouldn’t look out of place as the final. Queen Joni was one of the bitches of the year last season, and representing the McNair battalion, will be feared greatly. She’ll be looking to take control early and is more than capable of doing so, but may just need the run on her first start since the 19th December. Coolavanny Shado is undoubtedly one of the fastest dogs in England and Ireland. His Achilles heel is obviously his trapping, and I don’t think he can afford to miss it a length in this race and win. He can show all sorts of speed to the 3rd bend and soundly qualify though. Drawn well is Monmore lover, Churchfield Syd. He won a hot trial stake last week which included the re-opposing Shado, and I think much the same can happen again. Early pace is his weapon, and he can put it to bed at the 3rd bend with one of his flying starts.
Prediction – 6-1-2
*HEAT 5 RACECARD*
This is about as hot as heat 4, and I think we could see a potential favourite eliminated here. Starsports reported in the week that they’d seen market support, and had shortened accordingly, King Capaldi for the English Derby in June. After some flashy trials back from a layoff, it’s perhaps not surprising. Boxed out in 4 has to be a serious concern for one so rail-happy though, and if he comes out and turns left he has a certain Links Maverick to clear, and it goes without saying, that’s not easy! We saw in the week a preparation gallop from the Links Kennels X page (@LinkKennels), and a machine at his best, Maverick has proven time and again his liking for the Wolverhampton circuit. Despite actual race fitness, his star brilliance can see him through. In opposition is Classic winner Jonny Whiskers and the hugely exciting Droopys Eddie. The latter won last week in a flying 28.09, and he looks one that mixes both early and staying ability. He can stay on for 2nd, while Jonny Whiskers takes the final qualifying spot.
Prediction – 2-6-5
*HEAT 6 RACECARD*
Aero Sacundai was a revelation stepped up to 4 bends last week, although unsurprisingly given his runs at Shelbourne Park and Cork when on the other side of the water, and he looks to hold the aces in the final heat. Nicely berthed in trap 1, he can show the early pace that gave him 3 sprint victories at the start of his UK career, to kick clear and make all. Another speed star from that McNair Queen Beyonce litter, King Sydney, can follow him round for 2nd, and the recently renamed Miracle (formerly Druids After Glo) can show he’s no back number to qualify in 3rd.
Prediction – 1-2-5
It’s not hard to see why the sponsors go joint favourites of two at 4/1, those being King Capaldi and Churchfield Syd. They’re 2 class acts and it wouldn’t be any surprise to see them line up in the final. The mighty Links Maverick is 3rd in at 9/2, and I can’t believe I’m seeing a day where he isn’t favourite for a competition he’s entered in. Aero Sacundai is interesting for Richie Taberner at 10’s and while he’s done nothing wrong on UK soil thus far, he is taking a step up in class against this level of opposition. Queen Joni showed star quality during 2023 and she is a proven winner at 10/1. It really is a wide open competition full of talent, and without going into too much depth on this one – they belong under the lights!
Antepost Selection
Links Maverick 9/2
