ROMFORD racing manager Mark Arkell is looking forward to another busy week on London Road with the semi-finals of the Coral 100 Champion Stakes on Friday and another appearance on The Box Seat, Sky Sports Racing’s brand new greyhound show, on Wednesday.

“It’s certainly been a busy last week – but a good one,” said Arkell. “The new show on Sky Sports Racing has gone down well. I think everyone saw how we embraced it, named every race after the Romford ‘Greyts’, and the racing was good. We will certainly endeavour to build up the Wednesday cards alongside our regular Friday opens.

“And, of course, those Friday opens included the Champion Stakes last week and the semis this week – and I thought it was a good start to the event, albeit there was something of a surprise seeing Tiffield Tarquin go out. His form at Romford is top notch, winning the Essex Vase and finishing second in the Coronation. Cup, but it wasn’t to be this time.

“However, fair play to Newinn Jolly who I suppose saved the best for the last to set the fastest time of the night. Kim (Billingham-Hine) had no luck with Droopys Poker earlier but Newinn Jolly certainly made up for that with a good performance in heat six. It’s always eye-catching when a runner dips under 35 seconds and Newinn Jolly did that with plenty in hand. Fair play to Kelly Wilton with her two winners, too.”

Kim Billingham-Hine’s Newinn Jolly set the standard on the night as the son of Swords Rex led at the bend in heat six before stretching out to score by five and a half lengths from Charlie Loves Me (John Mullins) in 34.82sec (normal).

Ladbrokes Summer Stayers Classic winner Fortanach Col had earlier initiated a double for Nottingham handler Wilton as a fast start from the son of Ballymac Best saw him lead off the second bend in heat one, securing first run on the likes of hot favourite Tiffield Tarquin before coming home two and a half lengths clear of Bubbly Holly (Paul Young) in 35.38sec (normal) for the big-race trip of 575m at the London Road venue.

The Wilton double was completed by Ladbrokes Gold Cup runner-up Grouchos Gregor who made all in heat four in 35.12sec (normal), while the remaining heats were won by the David Mullins-trained Zenith Jimbombom (35.35sec), Paul Young’s Bubbly Kingdom (35.12sec) and Mike Burton’s Carrick Scholsey (35.26sec).

 

Photos: © Steve Nash