Friday's Romford tips
- 6.43 – Trap 2 Droopys Good (Nap)
- 8.17 – Trap 2 Fabolous Bling
- 8.38 – Trap 4 Icaal Frankie
- 8.54 – Trap 2 Minnie Bullet
The first big competition of 2023 is the final of the Essex Vase at Romford, which sees defending champion Coolavanny Aunty back to defend her crown but with strong opposition standing in her way. There's a good mix of graded and open action on offer and I have four selections I fancy throughout the night.
The first runs in the 6.43 which is the opening heat of an open 400 and I like Trap 2 Droopys Good, who has a great chance to bounce back to winning ways in a five-dog contest. He has enough early to lead the inside runner and I think if he gets himself on the rail, he should be the one they need to beat, so I make him my Nap on the night.
Next at 8.17, which is a stayers final, I fancy the inform Trap 2 Fabolous Bling, who has won back-to-back races over course and distance with a career best effort the last day and if repeating that run again will have a say. Trap 4 Candolim Monsoon is the fastest in the line-up but would prefer an inside berth.
My third selection runs in the next race at 8.38 which is another final and I am liking Trap 4 Icaal Frankie, who has been ultra-consistent in his last few starts. He's got exceptional early pace and if showing that speed can be involved. Trap 2 Rapido Sabbath comes into the race bang in-form, winning his last two races, but if Icaal Frankie is consistent again should be thereabouts.
Onto the big final itself at 8.54 and the defending champion Coolavanny Aunty in Trap 1 will be fancied to win again but I am siding with Trap 2 Minnie Bullet, trained by the race's most successful trainer Mark Wallis who has won it on five occasions. This lady caused a massive upset in the semi-final when trapping in front and making every yard of the running and if she can get out as fast here she can prove that performance to be no fluke at all.