Young aiming for Classic glory with Crossfield Roger

Crossfield in the hunt for Classic glory

Paul Young expressed his delight at the winning debut from Crossfield Roger at Towcester on Sunday.

The August 2023 son of Droopys Sydney and Crossfield Linda ran out an impressive winner in the heats of the JR Racing Juvenile Classic, beating Toomuchchat by two and a quarter lengths in 29.17.

He goes up against fastest heat winner Romeo Alliance in this Sunday’s semi-finals but Young is hopeful there is more to come from his charge.

Young said: “You couldn’t fault his run. I know it was only a four-dog race but it was the first race of his life and he did it well. He was strong to the finish.

“He came out the sales. He had a couple of nice times on his card at Cork and that’s why Geoff Bowmer and his son, Gary, bought him.

“He’s come out of the race well and he should come on for the run.

“He’s in a good semi-final on Sunday but I think he is good enough to hold his own against them and, hopefully, he makes the first three.”

Bowmers Wildcat was a beaten favourite when chasing home Santas Amigos but Young is still hoping he will go well on Sunday.

The Essex-based trainer continued: “He’s a fast dog, he showed that when he first went to Monmore and Hove. He’s had a few issues but we’ve hopefully ironed them out now.

“He’s well drawn and I am expecting a strong run from him.”

Third in that same contest was another from the Young kennel, Alans Amigo, and he reopposes the first two home on Sunday. 

That run was a big step up from his trial and his trainer doesn’t think he is a forlorn hope this weekend.

“You couldn’t fault his first run behind Santas Amigo and Bowmers Wildcat,” added Young.

“He came from a friend of ours in Ireland and we trialled him at Romford, but it looked like 400m was going to be a bit sharp for him. So, we thought we would give him a trial at Towcester and he didn’t break any track records but we knew he would find a lot for the run, which he did.

“He lost nothing in defeat and ran a great race. He’s drawn trap one in the semis and I would like to think he would come forward.”

Young praised the quality of the competition but noted he was disappointed to see the withdrawal of Headford Asher, who picked up an injury when finishing second in his heat.

He said: “They’re two good semi-finals. It’s just a shame that the sponsors lost their dog (Headford Asher), as they’re great sponsors.

“It’s an open competition but Romeo Alliance is the one we’ve got to beat.”

That view is reflected by the layers, with Romeo Alliance a warm 6/4 favourite with bet365. His kennelmate and litter brother Romeo Ability, who came from last to first in his heat, is next in at 9/4. Santas Amigo is third on the outright list at 5/1.

Outright betting (bet365):

6/4 Romeo Alliance, 9/4 Romeo Ability, 5/1 Santas Amigos, 8 Bowmers Wildcat, 12 Not So Steady, 14 Crossfield Ranger, 33 Droopys Poker, 50 Epic Rebel, Alans Amigo, Toomuchchat, Glengar Lisa