Shadow Storm back to winning ways in National Sprint
Shadow Storm was the quickest winner of the Arena Racing Company National Sprint semi-finals on Monday night at Nottingham where those who showed up so well in the opening round were beaten.
Surprising night at Nottingham in the National Sprint
Just 11 spots split the three winners of the Arena Racing Company National Sprint semis on Monday night but there were some shock eliminations, especially after some outstanding performances in the heats.
The opening semi looked the one on paper that was going to take the most winning with the two at the head of the ante-post market prior to the competition going head-to-head. The money came for Shadow Storm, sent off the 11/8 joint favourite with Ballinakill Liam in the end, having been as big as 9/4 on the opening show. That money was well placed.
He was quickly in control when his main market rival fly jumped the start, with Liam doing incredibly well to only miss out on a spot in the final by a short head. Kevin Boon's Bockos Buster joined the Richard Rees-trained winner in the final, the winning time was 17.63.
Broadway Murty had been behind Toddys Wolf in the heats but a better break from him and a slower one from his old rival saw the positions turned around in 17.65. Sean White having a finalist to close out the year will be a great story, especially after the update he gave on his son Tommy last week. It was left to Ballybough Nutz to grab the other qualifying spot for Maxine Locke.
The middle semi-final had looked all about Roanna Mamba for Michelle Brown but it was his kennelmate Pro Parker who came out on top at 8/1, crossing the line in 17.74. He came away best and that was all that was required for him to see off Tom Heilbron's Bower Sheeran whose reputation continues to grow with each start.
A supporting sprint on the card went to Good Acclaim for Stuart Tighe. The April 24 pup had signalled that he is a well above average recruit with a flying win at Star Pelaw on his race debut, making it 2/2 with a 17.64 run which reads very well compared to the winners of the National Sprint semis.
Ballybrazil Ace was a comfortable winner for Esther Driver in a heat of a maiden 500m competition. Driver would have expected to take the second heat as well but Ballymac Coko had to play second fiddle to Sharon Saberton's Rossa Vita.
