McNair's Express is on track for Romford glory

Rab McNair: Express Trend went fastest in the Rose Bowl heats

  PICTURE: STEVE NASH 

THERE was a quality field assembled for three heats of the Rose Bowl at Romford on Monday night - the final of which will form the centrepiece of an all-open card live on RPGTV this Friday night.

The first eliminator, arguably the toughest of the trio, saw the uneasy Express Trend (4-1) produce a smart turn of foot to run down the well-supported Ministry Millie.
Liz McNair's Regency runner-up showed true acceleration down the far side and, railing well on the fifth and sixth bends, led into the home straight to score by 1 3/4L in 35.93sec.
Heat two was less dramatic with Dave Mullins' 6-1 chance Pantone Ava managing to escape early scrimmaging and make all of the running.
Droopys Minnie was always second best but was never likely to catch the winner who was going on again at the finish to win by 4 1/2L in 35.97sec.
The third qualifier saw Paul Young's Fabulous Fleur, who was sent off the 12-1 outsider, came from off the pace to pin down runaway leader Chavalin close home in a time of 36.25sec.
Draw for Friday's all-railer final: 1 Ministry Millie, 2 Fabulous Fleur, 3 Express Trend, 4 Pantone Eva, 5 Droopys Minnie, 6 Chavalin.

The highlight at Nottingham was the Betfred Mobile Lotts Standard Trophy Final at 9.22 for which Laurence Tuffin's Conor Pass Mick (8-1) was a surprise but deserved winner.
Little Gent (7-4) blasted out and set a fast and furious pace but his race was spent when moving off at the fourth bend and letting the winner through.
14-1 chance Goodview Ted stayed on well to take second spot behind the ... winner.
The programme also included two heats of a 500-metre competition (final next Monday) and these were won by Anfi Bandit (7-1), who wore down the trailblazing Rei Doms Evra in 30.47sec and Flandys Rose (12-1) who ran a superb second bend to take charge and then hold the rallying Swift example in 30.69sec.