Last Years Finallists Image Credit: Ron MacNeill

Last Years Top Men Favourites Again

PREVIEW Friday 14th June 2019, 1:00pm

by Graham Muncie

  Edinburgh Monarchs

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.