Bockos is back in business at Sheffield while Aria is fabulous at Towcester

Bockos busts his Sheffield opponents

Bockos Buster did well as a Time Northern Flat finalist at Newcastle despite 480m around there being on the long side for him. Dropped back to sprinting on Sunday afternoon, clocking 15.81 which puts him fourth this year over the 280m distance. There was plenty of trouble behind him in the first bend but he was already well clear at that point, eventually coming home more than 10 lengths to the good for Savva Roberts.

Roberts doubled up with Proper Rockett who took the final race on the afternoon, a 660m contest. She is a strong stayer and was helped out by her kennelmate taking out the leader on the run-in which saw the winner sneak through to take the win. It was her second victory since joining the kennel after scoring on her A4 debut back in March. 

There was also a double on the afternoon for Sean Davy with Epic Command leading the way. He had been hugely impressive when he timed his break perfectly back in the middle of July, smashing out again here to lead them all a merry dance from the get go. When he times his break, he is a smart type.

Trewmunt Slippy picked up the second winner for Davy, making it a perfect 4/4 since joining the kennel. They have all come over this sprint trip at this track and the way that he faded the two times that he was seen over four bends when trained in Ireland, the chances are that connections will be in no rush to change a winning formula. 

Stephen Naylor picked up a win with Catunda Ciaran, the veteran producing the surprise of the afternoon with his 11/1 victory. He got himself to the front at the third bend to land a third win from his last five starts. Less than two months away from his fifth birthday, he is still going strong. 

There was a win for Ballymac Coko in the other open on the card, representing the kennel of Esther Driver. It was the first time that she had got her head in front since back in January, though it was only her seventh start in that time. She proved to be too powerful from the three-quarters mark for her rivals. 

Aria goes quickest at Towcester

There were just five opens on the Towcester card yesterday afternoon but there were a couple of sub 29-second runs, led by Fabulous Aria for Patrick Janssens. She tracked the leader Signet Nayla around, pouncing late in the day on the run-in to get up by a neck. It was a fourth win from her last five outings, finding the pick of her form again which saw her sent off favourite in the 2025 Oaks final.

Kevin Hutton was out of luck with Signet Nayla but Southfield Hugo scored for the kennel in a time just two spots slower than Fabulous Aria. Droopys Berries was the better fancied of the Hutton pair in the contest according to the betting, but Hugo got away the quicker of the two, and never looked like he was going to be run down. 

A decent sprint clock was produced by Roy Peckham's Duffin Dermy, breaking the beam in 15.75. He has looked a nice recruit for Peckham in limited action, kicking off with a couple of Romford wins, making it to the final of the Guys & Dolls before reaching the Sussex Cup Sprint Trophy final as well. Away and gone on this occasion, he had the win in safekeeping in short order. 

Simon Deakin took the first open race win of the day as Glendale Covey pinged the lids in a 460m contest and never saw another rival. It was quite a way to announce himself onto the scene on his race debut, visually very impressive from the front and stopping the clock in a time that is 27th quickest over the trip, 46 spots off the track record. A very smart start to his career. 

Makeit River took the other open on the card for Frank Gray, another 460m race. She ran a far better bend than the red-hot favourite Start The Engine who faded out of things, so hopefully he is alright. The winner has just become a veteran, winning both of her starts so far this month.