The standout performer of the week was Garfiney Blaze, following a record-breaking run over the Central Park 731m trip in Saturday’s Cesarewitch semi-finals. He shaved nearly five lengths off his previous time, completing the run in 44.55.
The Wallis kennel will have a strong presence in next weekend’s finals, with three entries in the Blue Riband. However, Patrick Janssens' Romeo Command, extending his winning Towcester streak to five, will not start as the favourite. His last defeat was in last year’s Derby decider.
Havana Top Note, coming off a victory in the Bet365 Challenge Cup Final at Oxford in 2023, started 2024 with a fourth-to-first 35.01 run in the Coral Essex Vase first round at Romford. He is now one run away from making his fifth Category One Final.
In the BGBF Puppy Cup heats at Oxford, Keefil Maverick showed significant progress in the semi-finals, improving from 27.10 to 26.60, just 11 spots outside the track record for an 18-month-old in his fourth race.
Yahoo Megan, dominating the Suffolk Down selections, set a new 220m track record on Thursday evening, making it nine consecutive wins.
Glenmalure Flyer, undefeated at Valley since the track opened, secured another seven-length win on Sunday, making it eight wins in a row with a combined margin of 60 lengths.
Newcastle champ Tonelagee defended his title with a 28.67 win against the best at the track, marking three consecutive victories: A2, A1, A1.
Calton Joe, previously racing in A5 company at Newcastle, secured A3-A2-A1 wins at Sunderland after a layoff.
Pelaw Grange hosted a double A2 top heat card on Sunday night, with Sandyhill Jess winning the quickest heat, marking her fifth win in her last seven races.
Clairekeith Remy, last week’s Hove selection, clocked the fastest 500m open race time on Thursday.
In Swindon, Gagas Merry, in outstanding form at Oxford, held off Ballymac Loca in a decent run, completing the race in 41.61.
Bitumen extended his Nottingham winning streak to six, repeating his half-length win over 480m.
At Doncaster, Barry Denby continued his success with another double on Saturday, while Leighas Dream's 29.23 was the fastest run over course and distance since June 2019.
In Sheffield, Catunda Layla's 28.90 for 500 metres and Carax's 27.89 for the 480 trip were closely contested, with Davy McLaughlin's runner edging ahead based on recent form.
At Kinsley, A4 winner Crackon Mammy recorded the quickest run of the week with a 28.11.
Harlow had no opens, and Era Lucky, the A1 winner, was the standout selection.
Swift Battery, completing her grading trials at Monmore last year, now boasts 19 runs with 12 wins, including four of her last five.
At Perry Barr, Glimmer Man's 28.19 equalled his PB, while Supa Nova in Yarmouth won an A1 in 27.97 and another in 27.81.
Henlow's final meeting featured A5 winner Do It Des as the quickest of the meeting.
Crayford results were unpredictable, with Shes Boss winning the quickest 380 of the week in 23.29, and Jimonfaya, the S1 winner, clocking 33.78.