From the outset this competition looked to have talent in abundance, and as we now preview the final, that becomes all the more clear. It’s talent packed from trap 1 to trap 6, and come 13:34 on Saturday afternoon, we’re going to have one very special winner.
Trap 1 – Aero Sacundai
Trainer – Richie Taberner
Owners- Mr G Ansley, Mr S J Forsdike, Mr R Taberner, Mr M Woolgar.
The lightest raced of our finalists, Aero Sacundai has been a revelation since stepping up to Monmore’s 480m distance, and plot drawn in trap 1 with ferocious early pace, he’s a very lively outsider at 10/1. He will have to be sharp at the boxes however; this is a world class line up with bundles of early pace, and only his best will suffice. He’s yet to strike gold in this competition, but there’s no better time than the present and if he goes round in front he’ll be giving himself the best chance. Front runner – must lead!
Trap 2 – Links Maverick
Trainer – Tom Heilbron
Owners – Mr K Heilbron, Mr T C Heilbron, Mr T O Rush, Mr D C Wilson.
One of the stars of 2023, 2024 looks like it’s going to start in exactly the same fashion. With 5 railers qualifying through to the final, trainer Tom Heilbron would likely have taken trap 2 before the draw. If he can use that to his advantage and lead up Aero Sacundai in trap 1, he’ll be giving himself the best chance. I would go as far as saying if he does go around in front, backers can start cheering. He’s been brought along nicely for this, and looked more like himself last week when blasting to a 28.09 victory. He looks set to peak in the final and if doing so will be a tough nut to crack.
Trap 3 – King Sydney
Trainer – Elizabeth McNair
Owners – KSS Syndicate
Although the betting would suggest this fellow is the second string of the McNair duo, that’s only testament to the kennel’s other runner, King Capaldi. This lad can really run as shown when clocking 28.19 in his heat victory. He wouldn’t have the early pace of some in here, but if he can turn handy he won’t be stopping come the line and it would be no surprise at all if team McNair took the title with him. The draw is fine as leading isn’t crucial to him. He will just need a bit of luck early on to be lying handy. Not without a chance though!
Trap 4 – Bogger Rambo
Trainer – Tom Heilbron
Owners – Just Not Necessary Syndicate
Absolutely paw perfect up to now, and the second of the Tom Heilbron runners with an excellent chance. I thought he would be better drawn nearer the fence in the first round, and perhaps you can still argue he would be, but that hasn’t stopped him being unbeaten through this competition from the black jacket! I mentioned last week he might need to find another couple of lengths to win, and he did that superbly. This week he’s going to have to find another bit at lid rise! The presence of King Capaldi on his outside, in an unprecedented trap 5, is a concern. He’s going hard left out of the boxes and it’s hard to see how he can avoid him with anything other than a smash break. Another who would have to lead, but it’s not impossible.
Trap 5 – King Capaldi
Trainer – Elizabeth McNair
Owners – KSS Syndicate
A very special greyhound, that’s done very special things so far in this competition. Another unbeaten runner up to this point, he’s laid down a serious marker for not only this, but 2024 as a whole! That said, he’s going to need his best yet again. He’s poorly drawn out in trap 5 and there’s no getting away from it. Drawn widest of the 5 railers he’s been very unlucky with the draw. Backers will have been given some hope when assistant trainer, Rab McNair, reported his charge fit and well in the week, and also mentioned he didn’t think trap 5 was as bad a draw as it first appears. Big chance if handling it!
Trap 6 – Churchfield Syd
Trainer – Richard Rees
Owner – Mr B Evans
The only runner that knew what box he would be coming out of pre-draw, and connections would have been delighted to see the tightest of the railers being drawn out in 5! I don’t actually think he’s come out as well as he can yet in this competition, but he’s been more than holding his own nevertheless. If he can take advantage of the draw, there’s no reason he can’t win this. Another serious dog on his day, he will need to lead early on to stand a chance of taking the trophy home. But we’ve seen him fly out before; we need to see it again.
Verdict
As mentioned it’s a fantastic final – without doubt one of the strongest we’ll see all year, and I’m going to stick with my antepost selection, Links Maverick. He loves this Monmore Green sand, and his record here is phenomenal. Just coming right at the right time he can show his class to make all. Aero Sacundai really is an outsider with a chance at 10/1 and I wouldn’t put anyone off small staking him. In fact, I couldn’t put anyone off any runner in this field! Churchfield Syd is so well drawn it’s hard not to see him somewhere near the sharp end at the finish, and he can be 2nd. King Sydney is a strong running type and possible trouble on the run up could see him finishing well into a place, and I think he can be 3rd.
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