A Monmore treble takes Kevin Hutton to the top of the Open Championship away league

Monmore treble for Kevin Hutton

There was a treble at Monmore last night for Kevin Hutton, led by Venetian Will making a successful step up to six bends for the first time. A Cat One finalist over four bends, he looked well worth a try over this new trip and having turned in front, he was never in any danger. He was being closed on late in the piece but given it was his first try, that was to be expected.

Droopys Doris took full advantage of a draw in red to take a heat of a bitches competition. She boasts a smart strike rate on the open race scene and has won her heat in three separate Cat One competitions, though is yet to make it past the semi-final stage. That is something that could be changed later on in the year.

The Hutton treble was completed by Ollie The Ox. He had to work a little harder to get to the front than either of his two kennelmates but he blitzed his field for middle pace to get himself to the lead at the third bend. Just three-quarters of a length separated him from a spot in the recent Laurels final, this win taking him to seven from 12 in his career.

Three trainers picked up a double on the night, including Mark Wallis. His Armagh Daithi was the quickest qualifier for a 480m minor competition, landing the final by almost four lengths. This has been a very happy hunting ground for him so far in his career.

Newinn Tonic had got the double started earlier on the card. She didn't trial particularly well at the track but that experience was not lost on her as she gained enough of a lead to hold off the late charge of Oaks runner-up Kilwest Diva. 

Esther Driver had seen one of her stayers cause a surprise at Sheffield on Sunday and the same happened last night as Stellas Charm landed the quicker of the 630m heats in 38.11. Her kennelmate Skyfall Mini was sent off favourite but the July 24 pup showed the best trapping to go around in front on her six-bend debut. 

The double came via Carmac Cash who had to do things the hard way from the back of the field to deny Hutton four winners, picking up Start The Engine late on. The winner is now 3/3 at the track, his other two wins came over 630m, while the runner-up at least showed that he is not just an Oxford dog.

The first and last opens on the night both went to Richie Taberner-trained runners. Aero Boris has been in decent form of late, timing his challenge to secure a short head success over 630m. It was his fourth win from his last six starts.

Countess Penny took the puppy contest which led things off on the evening, making it a hat-trick of wins after successes in A5 and A4. She is from a nice litter who picked up another success in the very next race of the night.

That came from Nathan Hunt's Gordon Bennett. A draw in three didn't look ideal for him after a win from the red jacket a week back, but he managed to get to the bend with just enough in hand to clear the inside and kick away off the second bend, 

The sole sprint on the evening was won by Newinn Bachelor. His success was enough to keep Kim Billingham-Hine on top of the home trainer standings in the Open Championship, another to win by a short head after an excellent tussle with his kennelmate Catchem Boyo, leading up and then getting his head back in front right on the line.