Magnificent Monmore crowned Bags Champions
Chris Allsopp: His Pots And Pans sealed success for Monmore in theBags Track Championship
PICTURE: STEVE NASHMONMORE put a thrilling Bags Championship Grand Final to bed on Friday afternoon when champion trainer elect Chris Allsopp did the business with Pots And Pans in the fifth of the six legs, for pups – where main rivals Hall Green and Hove proved out with the washing in fifth and sixth place. After scoring steadily throughout, finishing no worse than third throughout, that combination was enough to allow Monmore an unassailable advantage.
Jim Woods, racing and team manager, said: “I was always hopeful but never confident, and itdidn’t look good for us when we got off to an awful start in the regional heats here and at Oxford – I got plenty of criticism . . . and again over my team selection for today. I faced some tough choices, but it worked out on the day and I’m proud for all our owners and trainers.”
He asked trainer Kim Billingham, as team captain, to accept the extraordinarily large winning cup.
Woods said total team prizes of £9,000[£6,000 as champs, and £3,000 from the regional stage] would be equally divided among all 12 Monmore trainers. Monmore also get £12,500 to add to Bags prize-money next month.
Pots And Pans had to battle to see off a pacey Judys Bloom, and then held a running on Bonamassa Buddy by nearly two lengths in 28.70sec.
Allsopp, who trains her for Paul Scott, said: “That was more nerve-wracking that a Category One, wasn’t she made to work hard? It’s been a fantastic year for us all, now for the track too.”
Craig Grove, team manager for runner-up Hall Green [£5,000 for January prize-money, plus £4,000 for the team] said: “I’ve loved it throughout, nobody rated us, but our two wins gave Monmore a real race when they held the home advantage card.”
Peter O’Dowd for Romford, who finished third, said: “We put up some battling finishes to pick up points, so third is creditable given we didn’t win a race.”
Peter Miller, Hove’s RM [fourth] said: “We won two races, but it proved the same old story through the whole event, when we didn’t win, we were nowhere. Get On Paris stumbling at the start of the pups was a body-blow.”
In the end it didn’t matter but Hove’s Ardbeg Dottie was a late withdrawal from the concluding sprint leg, having hurt herself in the kennel. Feora Phanter took this for Hall Green by a short-head from Belle Vue’s Efceeunited.
Consolation for Hove was that one its winners looks a staying sensation in the making as the 630m leg might prove one of the year’s most significant on the Bags service. Cesseras set off in front for Hall Green (tied at this point 20-all with Monmore) but the home track’s hot favourite Farloe Gambit turned second and it looked simply a matter of time and he kicked on down the back second time to huge local cheers. This seemed effectively the Championship there and then.
However, almost unseen Hove puppy Swift Signal was making progress, had got himself on the rails from an awful draw and took off to pounce on the run for a deserved and thrilling win.
Maria Collins trains him for Reg Britts and Andy Clarke. She said: “He’s still a pup 'til the end of the month, that’s five wins a row but we have been cautious about putting him over a trip. We’re all excited about him.”
Monmore got off to the best possible start in the opener when Swan Storm made all [28.68sec], although was given a race by Belle Vue’s Westpoint Barney who showed excellent pace to get on his tail down the back before weakening coming home into fifth.
Coren Price trains the winner for Dan Robinson. She said: “Dan and his dad John have been ever so patient, Swan Storm tore a ham-string when leading in a race back in September, and he’s set to go open racing now.”
The 450m standard proved messy with Newcastle’s Tyrur Casey screwing wide from trap one but did not cause too many problems until he tried to get back on the rails at the turn. Hove’s Tullna Panda had edged into a narrow lead, but was pinched back and then struck into as Hall Green’s Around Corners determinedly held her nerve and suddenly kicked clear as the remainder bunched.
Gerry Ballentine,who trains the winner for Malcolm Bridgens, said: “She has pace and heart, did so well to hold her position and has done us proud throughout.”
Gordon Bissett, Ladbrokes’ operations controller for Monmore and Crayford, said: “Around Corners is the top points scorer in the competition with a fantastic 50 points [four wins and two seconds]. She has been exceptional.”
**Final scores Monmore 42, Hall Green 37, Romford 27, Hove 24 (fourth on wins count-back), Belle Vue 24, Newcastle 13
