SPARTA MASTER was quickest in the semis of the Coral Essex Vase at Romford on Friday as the track-record holder for the 575m trip set the standard with an impressive 34.77sec (normal) victory – albeit runner-up Antigua Rum also impressed in this second semi-final clash, with just a neck between the pair.

Well away from the five-box, the Sharon Thompson-trained runner was soon in command and raced clear to secure his place in a third Essex Vase final, although last year’s Coral Coronation Cup winner Antigua Rum (Mark Wallis) stayed on really well to push the winner close – the duo well clear of the remainder.

Third in last month’s 2020 running of the Essex Vase, Sparta Master also reached the 2019 decider only for his trainer to be caught up in a motorway closure and unluckily miss the final – so once again there is unfinished business in Friday’s final, although Thompson is not putting any pressure on herself or the August 17 whelp.

“It’s a fantastic final and it’s great to be involved once again,” said Thompson of the son of Aero Majestic and Sparta Fantasy who she owns in partnership with Mick Freshwater. “He’s in another Cat One final and it’d be great to win because he’s not going to get another chance at an Essex Vase.

“I certainly feel he deserves it. He always tries his best and just needs to do it right on the night. Having said that it’s a very tough final with five other superb dogs, so if I don’t win it he’s still done me proud. As long as it’s a clean and safe race. He’s come out of the race well and we’re looking forward to it.”

Antigua Romeo had earlier ensured the Mark Wallis camp would be doubly handed in Friday’s £10,000 final as he collared longtime leader Seaglass Tiger (Patrick Janssens) on the run for home to win by three-quarters of a length in 35.32sec, with Newinn Liz (Ernie Gaskin) just a neck behind in third.

Nic Jeal, owner with wife Amanda of both Antigua Romeo and Antigua Rum, was delighted to have two chances of landing another Category One and was quick to credit his trainer – especially given the recent return from injury of the 2020 Coral Coronation Cup winner Antigua Rum.

He said: “We appreciate how difficult it is to get a dog to Cat One final so to have two Antigua dogs in next week’s Essex Vase final is very exciting. This training effort by Mark Wallis is remarkable as Romeo is nearly four and we weren’t sure he would stay, plus this was only the second race back for Rum following a fracture in his wrist.

“We wish all connections the very best of luck for next Friday but clearly we’ll be hoping for a repeat of last January when we won the Coronation Cup over course and distance.”

The overall quality of next week’s final was underlined in the third semi as 2019 Essex Vase champion and Brighton Belle heroine Droopys Aoife (Ernie Gaskin) made almost all to hold the strong-running Champion Stakes, Gold Collar and 2019 Coronation Cup winner Desperado Dan (Patrick Janssens) by three-quarters of a length in 35.09sec. It also gives champion trainer Janssens two chances in the final.

Mark Arkell, Romford racing manager, said: “What a cracking final we have in store – it’s definitely got the potential to be one of the best Essex Vases that I can remember. Exciting times definitely ahead on Friday with a great mixture of past Cat One and Two winners plus serial finalists. It’s another wide open event here at Romford.”

*Form and trap draw for Friday’s final: https://assets.cj1.in/imminent-otter/production/assets/results/Romford/form-guides/Draft-Racecard15Jan21094549.pdf