Recommended bets
1pt double Knockboy Jet (T1) in 7.18 and Droopys Addition (T3) in 7.36
1pt double Smallmead (T2) in 8.54 and Droopys Catch (T3) in 9.28
One hound who undoubtedly deserved his effort marking up in the All England Cup final at Newcastle last month was KNOCKBOY JET (Trap 1, TF 122). Not only inconvenienced on the run to the bend that day, he encountered serious trouble at the first bend, thus leaving him with an uphill task. However, he kept on in vein pursuit to take a very meritorious third.
Similarly, in his Gold Cup Trial Stake seven days ago he never got the rub of the green, handy around bends one and two his chance of victory was effectively gone when he encountered crowding. His expected Timeform sectional suggests he’ll be in the vanguard early doors from a good make on the rails and a big run looks likely at 7.18, with another who wasn’t seen to very best effect last week, Billies Tea (Trap 4, TF 120) next best.
The final Gold Cup heat takes place at 7.36 and DROOPYS ADDITION (Trap 3) is fancied to confirm the promise of his latest C&D effort and book his place in round two. It’s fair to say the son of Droopys Jet was a little slow to gather momentum post lockdown but highlighted he was firmly on the way back with a facile length success in the Sussex Cup Consolation Trophy two starts back, posting a Timeform Rating of 126 in the process.
To his credit, he broke well in his respective C&D Trial Stake heat last week only to find a hefty bump halting his progress. However, the fact he was beaten just over length at the line highlighted he’s still operating at the top of his game. He boasts a cracking record at the West Midlands venue and tops the Timeform figures with a rating of 132, so we’re hopeful he can be handy at the very least from lid rise and emerge on top, possibly at the chief expense of Lenson Whelan (Trap 1, TF126).
SMALLMEAD (Trap 2, 8.54) quickly established herself as a leading four bitch with some tremendous performances pre-lockdown and highlighted she rates a force to be reckoned with over six bends with a brilliant display to dead-heat over 575 metres at Romford three starts back, posting a smart Timeform figure in the process.
Not disgraced over C&D two starts back (easily forgiven on account of a missed break) John Mullins’ charge lost little caste in defeat behind Droopys Catch last week, noted running on. She’s escaped several fellow leading protagonists for the competition in her respective Summer Stayers heat and rates the type to enhance her already excellent Timeform rating of 126 moving forward. It was a shade disappointing to see Kingsbrook Glyn (Trap 6, TF 133) reeled in late last week, particularly given how he had been shaping previously but he’s consistent and rates the chief threat out wide.
The final heat of the Summer Stayers Classic features at 9.28 and whilst Aayamza Royale (Trap 1, TF127) earned her place at the top of the ante post betting with her thrilling victories earlier in the year, it may pay to take a chance on DROOPYS CATCH (Trap 3, TF 122). Angela Harrison’s charge often shaped like the step up to six bends would suit ideally and has quickly proven as much with back-to-back 630-metre victories in recent weeks, his latest victory more meritorious on the back of a tardy start.
The son of Good News has already proven he can break much smarter and a bold show looks on the cards with potential for better still at the trip.
Preview posted at 1035 BST on 14/08/2020
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