Vhagar and Headford Dane pick up the big races at Monmore

Red-hot Vhagar takes Summer Stayers Classic 

Vhagar made history for Mark Wallis by landing the Ladbrokes Summer Stayers Classic at Monmore on Saturday night.

Her victory brought up a magnificent 100 Category One competition victories for the champion trainer and she did so by completing an unbeaten run through the 630m event.

Sent of evens favourite, the February 2023 daughter of Dorotas Wildcat and Limini turned second as Antigua Kestrel stormed into an early lead and the writing looked on the wall thereafter.

Vhagar picked up the leader at the fifth bend and raced clear for a comfortable success in an excellent 37.54, with her kennelmate New Destiny three and a half lengths back in second.

Mark Wallis and Vhagar © Steve Nash 

Vhagar wins the Ladbrokes Summer Stayers Classic © Steve Nash 

That completed a treble on the night for Wallis, whose Ballinakill Liam (2/5fav) romped home for an easy sprint triumph in 15.03, while his kennel companion Strike It Skye (4/9fav) made all by six lengths in 27.66 over 480m.

Golden run from Headford Dane

There was also £10,000 up for grabs in the Ladbrokes Gold Cup final and Headford Dane claimed that pot with a brilliant all-round performance.

Jacktavern Chief was first to show out wide but was closely tracked into the corner by Headford Dane and that pair went head-to-head down the back straight.

It was Maxine Locke’s 3/1 chance who forged ahead going into the third bend and he proceeded to bound clear from that rival to score by a very impressive four and a quarter lengths in a smart 27.79.

Headford Dane after winning the Ladbrokes Gold Cup © Steve Nash

Headford Dane wins the Ladbrokes Gold Cup © Steve Nash 

Locke also picked up the Peter Billingham Memorial Trophy final courtesy of her very exciting Turnthemagicon.

After a victory full of promise in the heats, the September 2023 whelp was sent off at 4/9 favourite for the decider and quickly stamped his authority on the contest with a burst of electric early speed.

He was already clear by the first bend and maintained a big advantage thereafter, as he came home three and a quarter lengths clear of Vermithor to strike in 28.17.

 Turnthemagicon © Steve Nash

A thrilling finish to the Vixons Contracts Ltd Trophy final saw Scooby The Boss (9/4) reel in the trailblazing Slingshot Gazza in the dying strides to score by a neck in 28.09.

 Scooby The Boss (T3) beats Slingshot Gazza (T5) © Steve Nash 

Doubles for local handlers

There were doubles for two local trainers on a tremendous open-race card, starting with Brian Thompson, who kicked off the night with a victory courtesy of Vixons Filofax (11/4) in 28.66 and also got on the scoresheet with Paradise Sky (15/8) in 28.06.

Richie Taberner also notched a brace with Aero Advocate springing an 8/1 surprise when clocking 37.62 over 630m, while his kennelmate Aero Pattika justified 10/11 favouritism in 12.52 over 210m.

Belinda Green's Swift Jarvis (11/10) saw out the 9000m trip best when beating Champys Girl (5/6fav) by a length and a quarter in 56.01, while Droopys Aladdin (11/10fav) made it four wins from his last five starts when landing the 480m finale for Mike Burton in 28.40.

Swift Jarvis © Steve Nash 

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