SPARTA MASTER will line-up a warm favourite to right a wrong from last year in Friday’s Coral Essex Vase Final at Romford after posting the fastest time in the semi-finals.

Sharon Thompson’s runner was a late withdrawal from the final 12 months after horrendous traffic caused by a motorway closure saw the Henlow handler miss the kennelling cut-off point at the London Road venue.

However, the August 17 son of Aero Majestic and Sparta Fantasy now has a major chance of grabbing Category One glory after setting the standard in the semis with an impressive effort in the second semi-final.

Well away along with Desperado Dan, the pair had a fantastic buckle with the lead exchanging hands before Sparta Master moved to the front approaching the third and held the advantage to the line, winning by one and a half lengths in 34.93sec (normal).

The victory delighted his trainer, who also part-owns the three-year-old with Mick Freshwater. As one of two middle seeds he has drawn trap six in the £10,000 final, won last year by the Ernie Gaskin-trained Droopys Aoife.

“Well first thing, it’s great to make a Cat One final again, although the draw is not ideal,” she said. “Having said that, he’s won from every box except trap one which he’s never been in. It’s just he doesn’t seem to come away that well from five or six.

“But I must put this seeding issue to bed. Yes he’s middle runner, but I wanted the middle off him so I would hopefully be drawn nearer the rails. No, I don’t want trap one like people think and, yes, I may have got it at some point.

“Three is his box really, but we’ll crack on and try and do better than last year, which won’t be hard! Last year’s final still haunts me. Every time I get on that M25 I get a panic on – believe me it’s something I’m never going to get over.

“I must say he does love Romford, though. It seems to be his favourite place. It’s another good final – and good luck to the other dogs.”

Patrick Janssens was also delighted as Desperado Dan made another major final at Romford, having finished second in the Champion Stakes in September and won the Coronation Cup last year, both over the same 575m trip.

Janssens said of the Ladbrokes Gold Collar winner: “He remains a fantastic dog to have here – he just loves his racing and his record speaks for itself. He’s won major finals and 39 opens in all and never gives up – you saw that on Friday.”

GBGB Trainer of the Year leader Janssens will be doubly represented in the decider given Doolin Princess finished second to all-the-way third semi-final winner Kilmessan Puma. The David Mullins-trained runner scored by three lengths in 35.53sec.

The first semi saw trainer John Mullins’ fine run of form continue as Swift Tarquin produced a typically gutsy effort to keep his rivals at bay when pacing up to lead at the bend before crossing the line a length clear of Ernie Gaskin’s Droopys Addition in 35.37sec.

Mullins, who landed Thursday’s St Leger with Smallmead, said: “What can you say about him? That was his 100th open race and overall his 26th win. He’s a cracking dog to train and deserves to be in another final.”

Trap draw and form for Friday’s finals: https://assets.cj1.in/imminent-otter/production/assets/results/Romford/form-guides/draft-racecard27nov20095527.pdf