Head Iton Ellis runs them ragged at Doncaster
Head Iton Ellis is a dog who thrives on the big occasion.
The Sussex Cup winner bounced back to form for trainer Sean Race to land the £25 Free Bet When You Join Betfair British Bred Stakes at Doncaster in cosy style.
Race had mentioned beforehand that a sickness had spread into his kennels but the bug obviously hadn’t spread to the winner, who returned to the same kind of form which saw him pick up the Brighton showpiece. The start was obviously going to be crucial in a rather open contest and the eventual winner broke like a train and established a three length lead at the first bend. He kept up the running down the back straight and held off late surges by Mill Jaguar and Saint Jack to win by one and a half lengths in a time of 29.81secs. He now goes to the Eclipse Stakes at Nottingham, where connections will hopeful on improving on a fifth place finish in last seasons’ final.
There was unexpected drama to kick start the night’s proceedings in the Betfair iphone & Android App Unraced Puppies Stakes as the traps failed to open. After the vets checked the un-raced pups over, they were good to go second time around and Droopys Sid ran out an impressive first time winner. This year’s Pall Mall winner Ballymac Ace picked up this race last season, which could suggest that the winner could be one to watch next season. Fast away, the Linda Pruhs trained pup never saw another rival as he showed a great all round racing enthusiasm to land the spoils.
Taylors Cruise looked be set for big race success when he blitzed his way through a variety of puppy races earlier this season but things haven’t gone to plan up against older dogs, up until tonight. Ted Soppitt’s hound broke very astutely from trap three, and showed impeccable speed to finish two lengths ahead of Deerfield Sam.
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