Champion Stakes oozes class as big names target Romford.

Byline: By Richard Birch

BARNFIELD ON AIR and Droopys Carvalho, who both contested the Betfred Select Stakes at Nottingham last night, are intriguing names among a starstudded entry for Romford's Coral Champion Stakes, which begins on Friday.

Darran Keefe, assistant to Barnfield On Air's trainer Sam Poots, yesterday gave the green light to the dog's participation in the 575-metre event, a move that will surprise some observers.

He said: "I admit it's a bit of a shot in the dark trip-wise as far as we're concerned. However, I love a front-runner and Romford is a front-runner's track. You'd like to think Barnfield On Air will take a bit of leading round there, and we'll see how it goes.

"We don't know if he will stay 575metres, but all the indications are that he will. On the bunny he's pretty relentless and is rarely passed to the pick - up at places like Wimbledon and Hove, where going to the drop is the equivalent of running 600 metres."

Keefe added: "I've seeded him middle, and Friday will be his first time at Romford. It's our local track, and I'm looking forward to it."

The Poots kennel will also be represented by Ballymac Weeshie, winner of Belle Vue's Wafcol Cock O'The North last month, who clocked 24.57sec in a 400-metre spin at Romford yesterday morning. However, Barnfield Slippy, who had seemed a natural for the Champion Stakes, misses the event after a slight setback.

Droopys Carvalho's entry will also surprise a few people. Trainer John Mullins said: "In my mind he was always a contender for this.

Just because all of a sudden he's become a leading four-bend performer doesn't mean he won't excel over a bit further.

"I ran him over 620 yards at Dundalk, and think he will stay.

We all know he can really put it down early on, and I'll be interested to see what he can do from the front round Romford."

Lenson Joker, winner of his last seven races, including the William Hill-sponsored Grand Prix and Cesarewitch finals, is another firmly on course for the event. He pleased connections with a 35.07sec solo over 575 metres last Friday, and is reported in "fine form".

Part-owner Len Ponder said: "We were happy with the trial.

Tony Collett said he'd done nothing with him since he won at Wimbledon August 5 and the dog should improve for it.

"Obviously I've been delighted with the dog's progress this year.

He reached two or three finals last year, including the Champion Stakes fourth to Eye Onthe Veto but never enjoyed any luck.

"This year I think he's not only improved, but has also had the rub of the green that you need to win the big prizes. Let's hope it continues at Romford."

Eye Onthe Veto, looked upon by many as the track's 'middledistance champion', having also won the Essex Vase in successive years, spearheads the Mark Wallis team again this time.

The trainer said: "Last year we had the first and second Eye Onthe Veto and Directors Chair and I'm hopeful they will both prove to be leading players again.

Eye Onthe Veto may be an August 04, but I feel he's still the dog they all have to beat. Directors Chair has been laid out for the competition since the semis of the Grand Prix at Sunderland.

I've been more than happy with both dogs' preparation."

CAPTION(S):

Sussex Cup ace Droopys Carvalho is set to step up in trip for Romford big event on Friday