DOG RACING
BARNFIELD Slippy produced the performance of the night when qualifying for Saturday's NGRC Stewards Cup final at Walthamstow with a thrilling display on Tuesday night.
Sam Poots' brindle, who warmed up for the event with a Spring Trophy victory at Crayford and a slick time in a Monkey Stayers final at Harlow, produced a blistering 39.43secs in the heats.
That was good enough to secure a clear three-and-three-quarter lengths victory over John Coleman's Clear Decision.
The home raider had been in sparkling form at the Chingford Road track, by cleaning up in S1 competition, but a slow start proved his downfall and he had to be content with snatching the qualifying berth from the much fancied Like Hot Cakes.
In the second heat of the night Mark Wallis' Aero Blackjack ensured another favourite progressed with a two-and-three-quarter lengths victory over Paul Garland's Pennys Viktor.
Wallis' charge showed some good early pace, although it wasn't until the fifth turn that he took charge to record a winning time of 39.74secs.
Seamus Cahill's Big Brett Coal made it a hat-trick for the well fancied charges on the night with a narrow victory in heat three.
Cahill's ever reliable stayer, who played a significant role in helping him land the Trainers Championship at Wimbledon last week snatched a dramatic win on the line from Discreet Cat.
Wallis' raider had led from the traps and looked on course to secure a memorable box-to-wire victory, but a late burst from Coal saw him snatch a half a length victory in 39.97secs.
And with four wide qualifiers, as well as middle raider Discreet Cat, railer Big Brett Coal could make the most of a possible scrappy race.
Saturday's final draw: 1 Big Brett Coal, 2 Discreet Cat, 3 Pennys Viktor 4, Aero Blackjack, 5 Clear Decision, 6 Barnfield Slippy.
There is also fine card of action on the night, with BGRB Hurdler of Year Kildare Lark heading the supporting cast in race five.
Jason Foster's charge should take the spoils from trap two, although Eye on the Flame won an open last week on home soil in a useful looking 29.85secs.
HOT TIPS
Tipster Mark Your Card was only narrowly denied a hat-trick last week by one second place. Along with fellow expert Guardian Angel he will be looking to deliver the goods from Saturday's card. Mark Your Card
19.57 Race Three - Fine Moment
20.25 Race Five - Kildare Lark
21.07 Race Eight - Legal Major Guardian Angel
21.35 Race Ten - Westmead Diver
22.03 Race 12 - Barnfield Slippy
22.17 Race 13 - Hypatia Blue
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