Four at Romford for Young while Heilbron gets Sunderland double

Four at Romford for Young

It was another strong showing from the Paul Young team at Romford with four winners. Uncle Ed got the kennels off to a flying start with a smart 13.29 sprint win in the opening contest on the evening. He hit his stride in April of last year, winning three of his four starts, adding this win to a top grade success from earlier on in the month.

Bubbly Crusader continued to make up for lost time, notching up his hat-trick win with plenty in hand. He made his debut for Young in the middle of May last year, with this just his seventh start in that timeframe. He is clearly capable of making up for lost time.

Young was responsible for three of the four 400m winners who dipped under 24 seconds on the night, with Undergroundnicky the next best behind Bubbly Crusader. She had bounced back to winning ways last week, quickly doubling up in the Standard final, making all of the running.

It was My Lil Bella who picked up the other win for the kennel, a flying 3.69 split sending her into the opening bend in front. She had just been struggling to get her head in front, on a losing run of nine, but she showed that when she gets things right, she is a useful performer. 

There was a double on the night for Nathan Hunt, including Scooby Diamond who produced the pick of the 400m times. It was her first time back at the track since winning the Coral Puppy Cup in September but she didn't miss a beat, clocking 23.74 on her return.

The biggest priced winner on the night belonged to Hunt in the form of Carmac Pete. His last open race win came at the backend of April 2025, also over 575m at Romford. He got the better of an early tussle with Tempus Vincere before stretching clear. 

Hunt was denied a hat-trick of winners in the final contest on the card as Paul Burr's Bacon Frazzles took up the quickest 575m time of the night. She was picking up her 16th win in the 89th start of her career, getting enough of a lead early on to hold off Hunt's Mad For Cash by a length.

Mystical Batman produced a successful six-bend debut for Maxine Locke. He got to the front as they crossed the line the first time but a bit of bumping set him back, having to come again late on to pick up the win. It was a messy enough contest but connections won't worry about that with a winning run.

There was a 575m win for Izzys Tenpin, setting his stall out early on from the front for David Mullins. Enough of a lead was built up in the early stages to hold off the late charge of Yourself who not for the first time looked in need of a stiffer six bends for Locke.

Dave Lee picked up a winner with Lil Bo Peep. A multiple top grade winner at the track, she was getting her head in front in open race company for the first time. She possesses plenty of early boot and on a night where it was a struggle to reel in the front runners, she put herself in a winning position with a smart exit.

False Strap got off the mark at the fourth time of asking for Tony Dean. He has been knocking on the door, showing plenty of natural ability, and it opened for him as he paced up to pick up the lead at the opening turn. 

Richie Taberner took the other open on the card with Kilwest Beauty. She should have the run marked up plenty as she was one of very few on the night who made an impact from off the pace. Forced out wide at the second bend after being crowded out at the first, she looked to have plenty on her plate as Elvis Bay shot five lengths clear by the sectional, but with that one folding late, she maintained the gallop to come home the strongest.  

Heilbron with a Sunderland double

Four open races were on the slate at Sunderland last night with a pair of them going to Tom Heilbron. Romeo Hanyu was the quicker of the pair, the pup rattling off his third win on the bounce, and his second at this track. He didn't need to get to the level of his 4.93 break last week to score but showed the best early pace once more. 

Heilbron's other winner was Links Jester who led home a one-two-three-four for sire Links Maverick in the process. It was a second win on the bounce for the victor, showing again that the sire could be one who can make a decent impact on the British breeding scene given support.

A sprint contest went to Ted Soppitt's Sunnyside Ted who saw off his shorter priced kennelmate Sunnyside Jayden in the process. Given the volume of wins already on his cv, it's easy to forget that Ted is still a puppy until the end of May.

Cheryl Ingham had the other open race winner on the card with Swift Yawn. At 8/1, she was. the surprise winner from the open races but she popped out in front in the stayers contest, opened up a big lead past the line the first time and never looked in any danger of being caught.