Richie proves his Armadale expertise

We knew that Richie Worrall is an Armadale expert – he proved it many times last year in our colours and again riding for Leicester in 2019, but just in case anyone was in any doubt he proved it again as the dominant rider in the 2019 Harrisons Scottish Open.

Maybe he did only win by a hairsbreadth in the final after a tremendous challenge from defending champion Rory Schlein, but he certainly deserved it for his overall night's work. He was top scorer in the qualifiers with 11 points (dropping one to Ricky Wells) and also won the first semi-final.

The champion said of the thrilling final heat: "Finals bring out that extra oomph. I hadn't quite got my speed up when Schleiny made that move on the bottom turn. It could have been dangerous but it wasn't. It made me then change my line from the fast one I'd been on all night.

"I was riding defensively and when you do that you slow down. I looked on the last corner to see where he was and when I changed my body position it made the bike grip and lift, which made it a real close finish! A bit too close for my liking.

"When I was driving here today I was thinking I want to put my name on that trophy. There's some real big names on there. And I want to keep on putting my name on the trophy as long as this meeting is on."

Richie by the way wore his Monarchs' race suit of last season to help him lift the famous trophy.

On a nice bright and dry evening the qualifying races were largely about sparring between the riders rather than many outstanding heats. The 12-heat format isn't especially popular with riders or fans though actually in the end it worked out quite well with some surprise race results as riders scrambled for the points they needed.

The standout heat in the qualifiers was heat 9 in which Ricky Wells led with Belle Vue's Dan Bewley right at the back. Dan hit the wide line though and was soon in second spot, eventually hunting down and passing Wells for a great win. Dan looked really competitive (recording the fastest time of the season in heat 4) and many were willing him to make the final, but he just missed out.

Top qualifiers were Worrall 11, Wells and Bewley 10, Heeps 9 with Rory Schlein back on 6 level with Wethers, Doolan and Barker. Barker won his final race ahead of Wethers, Heeps and Schlein to grab his semi-final slot.

Paul Starke was another surprise late winner but in his case it was not enough after three non-scoring rides.

We also saw Dale Devils Lewis and Greg Miller, Ace and Steen Pijper along with Mildenhall's Matt Marson in some additional heats during the evening.

The first semi-final was won quite comfortably by Richie Worrall, with Ricky Wells disappointingly tailed off. The interest was in the middle where Matthew Wethers put up a great fight even after Rory Schlein forced his way through. But it was Worrall and Schlein to the final.

Heeps comfortably won the second semi and again the interest was for second. Bewley lost a lot of ground but fought hard and got very close to Doolan by the finish.

As he had done all night, Richie Worrall gated in the final with Schlein poorly away again, but very quickly Rory was on Richie's tail. Rory really wanted that fifth title and threw everything at it, trying all lines, with Richie struggling to ride his own race and having to watch where Rory was coming from. They were so close at the finish that some thought Rory had got it, but the verdict went to the best man in the meeting – Richie Worrall, Harrisons Scottish Open Champion for 2019.

Last Years Top Men Favourites Again

It's good to be back! After a couple of weeks break caused by a mixture of the fixture list and the dreaded wet stuff everything looks set fair as we host the Harrisons Scottish Open Championship on Friday Night.

As ever a competitive field will do battle as they all look to lift the famous Jack Young Trophy with an abundance of Armadale experience and expertise on show.

All of last years top 3 return to do battle again with current holder Rory Schlein looking to add a remarkable 5th Open title to his C.V. Completing the handful would make Rory the holder of the most titles in the modern era. Not that Rory ever needs motivation but this will definitely be in his sights and what a fitting honour it would be to have for a rider we first saw in Monarchs colours a remarkable 18 years ago.

Looking to go one better than last year will be Staggs Bar Monarchs number 1 Ricky Wells, Ricky has been on the podium multiple times now and looks to be rounding into form with probably his best Premiership performance for Belle Vue coming on Thursday night and with victories over the likes of Craig Cook and Richie Worrall in the last couple of weeks at Armadale Wells could well give the home fans the winner they crave.

Speaking of Worrall this years Leicester Lion also takes his place in the field again, we all know of his Armadale pedigree with the tremendous unbeaten run he had in the Monarchs colours last year and for many he will be favourite to lift the trophy.

While last year's top 3 may well be favourites to be on the podium once again everyone else in the field will be looking to spoil this and many have legitimate claims of their own.

Cameron Heeps we have all enjoyed coming on in leaps and bounds this year, it may be that his gating form at Armadale will need to improve for a serious tilt at the title but if it is no one will get near Cameron if he hits the front.

Belle Vue's Dan Bewley is another who if everything clicks will be hard to beat, it has been a pleasure watching Dan improve year on year from the quiet overmatched 16 year old who first made his debut with the Monarchs to the Premiership heat leader he has become, Dan looks to be recovering well from his horrendous injuries last year and a Jack Young Trophy on his mantle may well be the big confidence boost that puts the young Cumbrian over the top.

If you are looking for experience and Armadale history then it doesn't get much better than Matty Wethers and Theo Pijper. Matty having a bit of an Indian summer with Newcastle this year while Theo will look to put himself in the shop window as he currently is without a ride in the UK.

Another looking to put recent issues behind him and show he is still available is Ben Barker, the commitment from Barker there is there to see as he travels from Cornwall to take part in the event. Recently released by both Peterborough and Redcar Barker will be desperate for a good result to remind promoters around the UK what he is capable off.

Further home interest will come in the form of Willie Lawson, Lawson is another who while not realistically expected to be in among the finalists can not be discounted in any heat he takes part in.

Rounding out the field and in the tradition of the Open is an abundance of talent from our local rivals with Paul Starke representing Glasgow, Kevin Doolan Berwick and Redcar's Jordan Stewart all in the line-up.

Another trio that if all things click on the night they could provide a surprise. Both Starke and Doolan had 2 race wins on their most recent Armadale visits while Stewart is showing improved form in his second year in the UK and is a popular visitor everywhere he goes also.

So a packed field will battle it out over 4 qualifying rides each before the top men do battle over semi finals and the grand final itself looking to lift that famous trophy.

My prediction for who will be on the podium……… no chance with a competitive field like that I literally haven't a clue. So as always there is only one place to be to find out who is the one to take glory and that's to get yourself trackside.