Wednesday night Romford double for Paul Burr
There were six open race contests at Romford on Wednesday evening with Paul Burr the only trainer to pick up more than one of them.
Brace for Burr on The Box Seat
Paul Burr was the man to beat at Romford on Wednesday night with his reigning Grader of the Year Bacon Burrger picking up an open race success. She was only 2/27 at the level going in but she always gives herself a chance with her quick breaks, wearing her heart on her sleeve from the front. On the lead early on again, there was no way back for her rivals.
The Burr double was completed by Roxys Sunshine, another to go from the front. She got the jump on the hot favourite Underground Matt on the run to the opening bend, and once in front she poured on the pressure to score in 35.24 on a track that was given as -20. Still a puppy, she shapes as if a stiffer six bends will be within her compass next year, with her litter sister Seefin Mist making a big impression herself.
There was a wide-margin success for Yahoo Maizy who made her debut over six bends for Maxine Locke. It's almost two years now since she won the English Puppy Oaks at Towcester on a freezing cold December night, already a Cat Two finalist by that point ahead of a spot in the final of the Northern Puppy Derby final. She has plenty of gaps on her card since then, but there is still some of that old ability.
A sprint contest saw a big-priced winner as Debbie Hurlock's Rebel Elizabeth scored at 16/1, turning over the 2/13 favourite Nightingale Crew for Gemma Evans. It was a first win since January for the victor, with a rare smash break from her getting her out in front and not for catching after a slower exit from the market leader.
Ricky Holloway picked up a win from Droopys Strike. A draw in one didn't look an ideal starting position for a middle-running Apr 25 pup, and it was a messy race as a result with trouble on the run-up and at the opening bend.
Raha Jayjay took the other open on the night, another to cause a double-figure surprise, this one at 14/1 for Martyn Wiley. It was another contest where the market leader failed to trap, with the winner taking full advantage. He was challenged and momentarily headed around the final turns by Goldstar Connie but showed a good attitude to go away again on the run-in.
