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Spiridon loses out in battle of the marathon runners

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The Racing Post's Jonathan Hobbs looks over Tuesday's Sky meeting at Belle Vue and looks ahead to the St Leger

Put the money up, arrange a date, and it might happen.

That seemed to be the feeling on the possibility of a three- or four-way match amongst the country's marathon performers - (in no particular order!) Spiridon Louis, Head Iton Jordan, Bubbly Kate and Westmead Aoifa - following Tuesday's Sky meeting at Belle Vue for the Laurels.

Three of them raced for £500 on Tuesday, happy to take their chance in a supporting race to the main event and, once again, they thrilled those on the terraces and those at home, with Head Iton Jordan producing one of her best-ever runs at arguably her favourite track. Whenever in front, she remains so, so hard to beat.

But personally, it was time to eat a chunk of humble pie.

After the Gold Collar meeting two weeks ago, I ventured the opinion that Bubbly Kate might never be beaten over eight bends again. Even allowing for the fact that I assumed Spiridon Louis was St Leger-bound, and would likely not have another eight-bend test for a while, it proved a poor shout!

Indeed, while the winner was great, so, too, was the runner-up. He runs in the St Leger heats on Saturday and will be difficult to keep out of the frame. I fully expect to see him in the final when the Sky cameras roll into Plough Lane a fortnight on Tuesday.

For the record, the ante-post vote goes the way of Iceman Brutus.

Recapping the Belle Vue card, dogs to watch out for in the coming weeks include Jetharts Here, who continues to mop up sprint events. When Mahers Boy moved up to challenge on the inside approaching the first bend, the winner had a race on his hands. But he showed great speed to withstand the challenge. Impressive.

There is probably plenty more to come, also, from puppy winner Conna Bruno. He was helped by the favourite Barnfield Haveit moving middle, but still won on merit and both the first and second will be winning races over the next few weeks. As will Boherash Patriot, who was desperate in the 590m event, with Fear No Battle enjoying just that!

Ardmayle Machine won the hurdles event well and, while the suspicion remains that beaten 'jolly' Castledale Lad is not quite firing at present, that should not discredit the winner who looks a progressive, lightly-raced hurdler who deserves to be kept on the right side of - as do Larkhill Bird and Local Knowledge.

The pair lost out to a really terrific front-running effort from Two Nicks and the apple of Laurence Tuffin's eye really deserved his Sky success. He now heads to Wimbledon along with Local Knowledge, although Larkhill Bird is understood to be favouring a valuable Sunderland event instead of four long trips south for the Leger. It looks a wise move.

Droopys Sheehy looks every inch a Derby dog and added to a growing reputation with an all-aged four-bend win, while what can one say about the Laurels final itself? Barnfield On Air goes down an unlucky loser, but probably caused his undoing when 'avoiding'
Kylegrove Top as he barged the rest of the field aside at the turn!

Julie Bateson's kennel have suffered their share of setbacks, indeed have sent out a host of big-race finalists without success. No-one begrudged them Kylegrove Top's good fortune, although as he showed in the heats, especially, when he traps he is one fast greyhound. Thankfully, for him and his backers, he didn't on Tuesday.