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Monmore Treble For Richard Rees On Saturday Night

Saturday night saw the opening round of both the Ladbrokes Gold Cup and Ladbrokes Summer Stayers Classic at Monmore

Matt Newman

10 Aug 2025

Monmore Treble For Richard Rees On Saturday Night

Crossfield Enzo is quickest in the Ladbrokes Gold Cup Heats Photo: © Steve Nash

Crossfield Enzo is fastest in the Gold Cup Heats for Richard Rees

A busy Saturday night at Monmore saw six heats each of the Ladbrokes Gold Cup and Summer Stayers. Crossfield Enzo set the standard for the 480m winners in the opening heat. His early pace saw him quickly in control off a smart4.32 split. Both Deliverooo for Tom Heilbron and Maxine Locke's Headford Dane kept him honest up the run-in but he was always doing enough to land a 28.21 success.

Avarua Zlatan produced a Gold Cup double and a hat-trick on the night for Rees in heat five. Like his kennelmate, he was quickly in control of proceedings, making a little room for himself at the opening bend. That was to the detriment of Aero Pattika but Richie Taberner's runner made it through along with his kennelmate Aero Pepinillo. 28.37 was the winning time.

An identical time was produced by Kevin Hutton's Union Rebel. Fresh off his defeat in the final of the BetGoodwin Pall Mall at Oxford, he gained revenge on his conqueror that evening, Gingers Prince, who chased him home for Patrick Browne. Da Mighty Man picked up the final qualifying slot for John Lambe.

Frank Bryce produced the biggest priced winner of the heats with Ardera Sam, showing his early gears to good effect to take out heat two in 28.22, just a spot off the fastest of the night. He was chased home by the 33/1 local Common Canter for Brian Thompson, with Armagh Daithi filling out the places for Mark Wallis.

Droopys Aladdin has been a model of consistency this year for Mike Burton. The Derby quarter-finalist was unfortunate to draw a couple who made the decider in his last 24 heat at Towcester but has rattled off a hat-trick of wins of late to take his career record to 8/14. Carrick Fergie for Garry Hamilton and Naochra for John Flaherty chased him home.

It was a messy heat that was won by Glenn Foot's Jacktavern Chief but he deserves to have his effort marked up a little as he only turned fifth, drove the second bend beautifully and was the only Gold Cup winner to come from off the speed. His 28.54 reflected the nature of the contest.

Ardera Sam wins Heat 2 Photo: © Steve Nash

Droopys Aladdin leads home Carrick Fergie Photo: © Steve Nash

Union Rebel holds off Gingers Prince in Heat 4 Photo: © Steve Nash

Avarua Zlatan (t1) holds off Aero Pepinillo by a short head Photo: © Steve Nash

Jacktavern Chief wins the final heat Photo: © Steve Nash

New Destiny and Gary The Arb a spot apart in Summer Stayers

In similar fashion, the top two heat winners in the Summer Stayers were also separated by the minimum margin. New Destiny produced a 37.65 run as the Mark Wallis kennel looks to continue their absolute dominance over the staying scene. Romeo Empire chased her home for Patrick Janssens with Thor Odinson for Chris Fereday making his way through from the back to qualify.

Wallis was quick to double up in the heats with Vhagar powering home. She did not show her typical early speed but she is really growing as a stayer and proved too strong in 37.71. Kevin Hutton's Antigua Kestrel had set the early fractions, doing enough to qualify in third with Amazing Zeus splitting the pair of Richard Rees.

Rees was on the mark in the Summer Stayers heats with Deadly Disco. He is a dog with all the ability in the world and has the distinction of the only hound to beat Mongys Wild on these shores, but he lacks consistency. Newinn Deejay chased him home for Wallis but eyes will have been drawn to Richie Taberner's Aero Advocate (on his UK debut) who checked at the sough when making giant strides.

Gary The Arb produced a slick 12.40 sectional on his way to his 37.66 success for Belinda Green. He is a stronger type than when knocked out in the semis of this competition last year and a repeat of that split next week could see him go one week better. Clona Ice and Singalong Molly had to do things the hard way to make it through to next week for Brian Fairbairn and Dean Blackbird respectively.

The opening heat saw the judge unable to separate Blu Bert for Kim Billingham-Hine and Newinn Cloud for Mark Wallis. Swift Jarvis for Green was only a short head away in third in the most competitive heat of the evening, with 38.35 the winning time.

Nathan Hunt produced the winner of the other heat in the shape of Inca Lewie. It was another contest where a check at the sough, this time for Teddie who was in front. changed the finishing order. It was left to Wallis's Bombay Nutty and Timmys Hunter for Pat Curtin to take the remaining spots in the draw which will be made on Monday.