MARK WALLIS took the training honours in the heats of the Ladbrokes Golden Jacket at Crayford on Saturday with a double courtesy of Antigua Rum and Bo Shine Bullet, although it was Peter Harnden’s Salacres Pippy who posted the fastest time of the round with a brilliant performance.

The St Leger runner-up landed an all-the-way victory in heat five for Nottingham owner and trainer Harnden. Always in command, the September 2018 daughter of Definate Opinion and Pippa crossed the line just over three lengths clear of the Wallis pair of Anhid News and Avastorm – clocking 45.35sec for the 714m trip.

Salacres Pippy had also clocked the fastest time for the eight-bend distance at Crayford in the heats of last year’s Kent St Leger – and equally impressed this time.

The Wallis double came in heats two and three courtesy of Antigua Rum (45.90sec) and Bo Shine Bullet.

Sidelined for several months having won last year’s Coronation Cup at Romford, Antigua Rum ran with huge credit to finish third to kennelmate Antigua Romeo in last month’s Essex Vase back at the London Road venue before successfully handling the step up in trip at Crayford.

Lining up for the first time over 714m in heat two, he was soon handy outside and, once hitting the front off the third bend, powered clear to win by three and three-quarter lengths from Clever Airmount (Barrie Draper) and Swift Jaguar (Nick Deas) – delighting connections in the process.

Owner Nic Jeal said: “It was another great effort from Antigua Rum, who continued his comeback really well. I thought the manner of his win was very encouraging and once again well done to Mark and his team for their work in getting him back to his best.”

Bo Shine Bullet made it three wins from three starts in the UK in the following heat to complete the Wallis double. The January 2019 daughter of Kinloch Brae and Fear Emoski rode a first-bend bump to lead at the turn and score by almost six lengths in 45.37sec from Kevin Hutton’s pair of Chubbys Dubh and Slaneyside Izzy.

Wallis later completed a Crayford treble after Antigua Boy (33.50sec) won over 540m, plus notched wins at Towcester on Blue Riband final afternoon and at Monmore on Saturday night – although it could have been even better given Aayamza Lexie checked at the sough in the opening Golden Jacket heat.

The boss of Imperial Kennels said: “I was thinking it might be one of those days when Lexie looked in control of her race, but thought she’d done enough! She’d been okay the week before in a trial stakes, but these things happen and we’ll give her a go in the Peter Bussey back over 540m.

“I thought Antigua Rum really handled the extra distance well and we’re happy enough in his draw in the semis – and it was great after the disappointment of Lexie to see four of ours make it through to the Jacket semis with Anhid News and Avastorm both qualifying. It might be tricky for Anhid News in the two-box but the others have decent enough draws.”

Ragtime Storm had kicked off the Ladbrokes Golden Jacket heats with victory for Dan Brabon. The improving two-year-old was always second here and running a big race before taking advantage of Aayamza Lexie checking up to take command at the three-quarter pole to win by a length from Punk Rock Mutley (Stuart Maplesden) in 46.10sec.

Micks Little Gem continued her career-long love affair with Crayford when landing a 12-1 victory in heat four as Michelle Brown’s marathon star broke smartly and paced up well to lead before running away to score by nine and a half lengths from Redzer Renae in a fast 45.43sec, the winning margin reflecting trouble behind.

The sixth and final heat saw victory for Jason Bloomfield’s Desperado Rocco who was always handy behind pace-setting Silly O Clock (Marcus Smith) before coming through to win by one and a half lengths in 45.90sec.

Danny Rayment, Crayford racing manager, said: “As ever we had a real mix of top-class performances and hard luck stories – certainly where Aayamza Lexie and Smallmead were concerned, but things are nicely set up for the semis.

“Looking at the three semis, you’d think Bo Shine Bullet and Salacres Pippy both have a chance to dominate in their respective races and are rightly head the market, although the third semi looks the best race on paper with Redzer Renae, Micks Little Gem and Antigua Rum all set for a fantastic buckle hopefully.

“We also have the heats of the supporting competitions. These close on Tuesday (noon) and are the Peter Bussey Memorial Trophy over 540m, the Welcome Hope Jeal Trophy over 380m and the Chief Ramsbottom Hurdle Trophy which this year is a dual distance hurdles competition with heats over 380m and the final over 540m.

“Weather permitting, of course, we’ll be looking forward to another fantastic morning’s racing here on Saturday.”

Results: www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=370345&raceId=711956

Form and trap draw for Saturday’s semis: https://assets.cj1.in/imminent-otter/production/assets/results/Crayford/form-guides/2021-Ladbrokes-Golden-Jacket-Semi-Final-Form.pdf