Torpedo can sink rivals in Coral Champion Stakes first round at Romford
Published:
David Metcalf | August 19, 2016
Bubbly Torpedo can power to glory at Romford
The first round of the Coral Champion Stakes gets underway on a terrific 13-race Open card at Romford tonight, screened live on Racing Post Greyhound TV (Sky 468, Freesat 25), and T4 Bubbly Torpedo rates the standout bet in heat 4 at 20:18.
Paul Young’s dog is a classy sort who has won three of his five starts at the track.
In the last of those he produced a 13.53 sectional to blast from the traps and make all to beat the useful Newlawn Ned by 2 1/4 lengths in a time of 35.50.
That sets a high standard in this line-up and Bubbly comes into the contest on the back of two solid efforts to finish runner-up over course and distance.
As the sole middle seed he should also get a nice clear run to the crucial first bend and, if producing a smash break, can quickly string out the field and establish a race winning lead.
Here are the thoughts from Coral’s racing experts on the other five heats:
19:31 – Heat 1
Prolific winner Fivestar Clipper is sure to be a popular choice but has been blowing hot and cold recently and T3 Rio San Marino looks worth siding with to lower his colours.
Danny Riordan’s son of Droopys Scolari is 2-2 at the track when sporting the white jacket and showed what he is capable of four starts back when pinging the lids to score by over five lengths in a time of 35.40.
That is the best recent clock in this line-up and he looks nicely housed on the outside of two slow starters to grab the rails early doors and put his rivals to the sword.
19:47 – Heat 2
T2 Johns Present is a class act when getting on the bunny and looks drawn to do just that. Paul Young’s charge has not had much look of late from the red jacket, but the switch to blue, from which he has a 33 per cent strike rate over course and distance, may well see him in a far better light.
He was drawn off the rails in Trap 3 when producing a lightning 13.51 sectional to clock a time of 35.58 when winning at the track last month, and repeat of that effort would make him very hard to beat.
20:02 – Heat 3
T2 Tellhimjohn is in the form of his life at present and looks decent value to land the spoils. The son of Paradise Madison has won his last two starts over course and distance in terrific style, showing bags of early pace on both occasions to make all.
He now puts his unbeaten record at the track on the line in a hot contest but, with Trap 5 Newland Ned and T6 Barricane Bullet closely matched, there is a possibility of that pair coming together at the first. If they do then Tellhimjohn could slip clear on the inside if beating Trap 1 Badabing, who is having his first run at the venue, to the punch.
20:34 – Heat 5
Trainer Mark Wallis does superbly well with his runners in prestigious competitions and T3 Ribble Aon looks nicely drawn to turnover the favourite T6 Swift Whirlwind. The daughter of Kinloch Brae has some top class form in the book and is a tough sort to pass when getting loose on the front end.
She is also 1-2 at the track from the white jacket and, with Swift Whirlwind and T5 Oakfield Caeser closely matched in the early pace stakes, can cut loose down the middle and capitalise if they come together at the first.
20:50 – Heat 6
T5 Boyneviewfantasy has a tremendous record at the track and, if breaking in his best style, can further enhance it with another trap-to-line victory. Phil Simmonds’ son of Premier Fantasy has thrived since being stepped up to six bends, winning four of his eights starts over 575m.
He also won over the standard 400m trip two starts back and has a 50 per cent strike rate from the orange jacket. Although well beaten last time out he was very slowly away a reproduction of his 13.47 sectional when winning three starts back would enable him to lead the bend and play catch me if you can.
Romford best bets – Coral Champion Stakes heats
19:31 T3 Rio San Marino
19.47 T2 Johns Present
20:02 T2 Tellhimjon
20:18 T4 Bubbly Torpedo (NAP)
20.34 T3 Ribble Aon
20:50 T5 Boyneviewfantasy (NB)
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