THE inaugural final of the Arena Racing Company Kent Plate at Central Park on Sunday is set fair after last week’s two semi-finals produced identical winning times.

 

Hopes Paddington (pictured) landed the first semi-final as the Stadium Bookmakers Blue Riband champion at Towcester once again underlined his latest GBGB Category One claims with an impressive all-the-way victory over the Kent track’s 500m.

 

Pacing up off a fast start, the Mark Wallis-trained April 2020 son of Good News and Charity Anna was soon in command as market rival Fromposttopillar (Liz McNair) was bumped at the bend after a moderate exit and was always playing catch-up.

 

Down the far side, Hopes Paddington was in command and went away for a two and a half lengths success over the staying-on Clairekeith Remy (Carl Gardiner) with Fromposttopillar qualifying in third. The winning time was 30.24sec (-50).

 

The second semi-final saw Arkady continue his love affair with Central Park as the Arena Racing Company Kent Derby winner scored a narrow victory.

 

The David Mullins-trained September 2020 son of Droopys Jet and Good Legacy was soon in top gear off the back of a 4.14sec sectional and stretched his rivals out.

 

However, the always-handy Cochise (Richard Rees) kept up the pressure and stayed on strongly to draw alongside the leader at the line, with Arkady just getting the verdict by a short-head in 30.24sec (-50), matching Hopes Paddington’s time in the first semi.

 

The winner’s owner Kelly Searle said: “I couldn’t be happier with him and we’re absolutely delighted. He was really game in front and it’s just great to see Arkady make his second Cat One final having won the Kent Derby final.

 

“I thought that final was fantastic, but the Kent Plate line-up is even better. It’s such a top quality field with multiple Cat One finalists and winners – and you’ve got to be excited to be part of a line-up like that.

 

“The dog is well and getting stronger with each run. You could see he needed the run in the heats and has come forward for the semis. He seems to really like Central Park and once again Team Mullins are doing a fantastic job.

 

“We’ve happy with trap six even though he’s a middle seed. To win, he’s got to lead these up and you never know – we hope to make them all go!”

  

Trap draw for Sunday’s final: https://www.centralparkstadium.co.uk/assets/uploaded/files/documents/sunday-26th-march-kent-plate.pdf

 

Results: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=395044&raceId=922171