SEAGLASS TIGER has the RPGTV East Anglian Derby as his next major target after adding more success to trainer Patrick Janssens’ superb 2019 when winning the Ladbrokes Gold Cup at Monmore on Saturday.

The race formed part of an outstanding double header at the Wolverhampton venue over the weekend, with Seaglass Tiger coming out best in an exciting finish to the £10,000-to-the-winner Category One to consolidate his handler’s position at the top of the GBGB Trainer of the Year standings.

Always handy after breaking well and pacing up, the May 2017 son of Drumcrow Obama and Abrakebabra Bee had to withstand challenges from Bramble Reggie, defending champion King Turbo and, finally, Velvet Juliet – winning by a short-head from Angela Harrison’s bitch in 28.28sec.

“It was a fantastic run, and I thought he was so game – really tough in front,” said winning trainer Janssens of the Evan Herbert-owned runner. “He wouldn’t give up, although Angela’s bitch is top class – as they all are – and we were definitely pleased to see the winning line!

“He’s always run Monmore well – it plays to his strengths,” added Janssens of the two-year-old (pictured below in t3), who ran up to Troy Zico in the Ladbrokes Puppy Derby and will now head for Yarmouth with a trial at the seaside venue set to be booked next week. “It seems the logical place to go and should suit his style of running.”

Janssens paid tribute to Monmore for a top night’s open racing. “They do things right there and it was great to see a good crowd creating a cracking Saturday night atmosphere and I know Evan and his guests had a great evening – topped off by winning the Gold Cup which is a real boost for the kennels.

“We don’t have a huge number of dogs but Tiger, Bockos Doomie, Magical Houdini, Desperado Dan and Affleck Bolt have all won good prizes this year and the likes of Goldies Hotspur and Kilmore Lemon have played their part, as have the other Goldies runners and the Afflecks!

“I have to once again thank Cheryl (wife and assistant), Ria (daughter and kennelhand) and Ron Mills, who works with our dogs really well.”

Paul Mason, stadium manager at Monmore, said: “There is something special about a Category One final on a Saturday evening – so to have two Cat One finals at Monmore Green contributed to a great night’s racing and a fantastic atmosphere all round.

“Both finals lived up to the hype, both closely contested, so congratulations to Kevin Boon for Sheldan’s success in the Ladbrokes Summer Stayers Classic and to Patrick Janssens and Evan Herbert for Seaglass Tiger’s Ladbrokes Gold Cup victory.

“But more than that, I’d like to thank connections of all the runners who took part in the Summer Stayers Classic and Gold Cup this year. The ‘pull’ of Monmore and these two major races meant we had runners from all over.”

Results: www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=354213&raceId=565792