2020 Bonanza winner Danny King with Kenny McKinna and Alex Harkess Image Credit: Peter Hill

Monarchs duo in the Ben Fund Bonanza

NEWS Sunday 27th March 2022, 8:00am

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

Amongst the opening meetings of the season, the Ben Fund Bonanza is always a standout, and this year two of our Monarchs' septet will be racing in the 2022 event at Peterborough on Sunday afternoon (2pm).

We've already mentioned James Sarjeant's involvement, making his third appearance at the Bonanza, to which can be added playing (and scoring) in the football match staged for the benefit of the SRBF, plus being on the other side of things when assisted by the Ben Fund following his injuries late last season.

But Sam Masters will also be competing on Sunday during what is a busy pre-season for him – winner of the Lewis Kerr Testimonial and third in the Todd Kurtz Farewell. As with James, Sam is making his third appearance having ridden at Swindon (2015) and Leicester (2019).

The only rider to win the Ben Fund Bonanza whilst in Monarchs' colours is Craig Cook (Leicester, 2014), though Craig also won the meeting at King's Lynn in 2016, just after he had moved on from his memorable time as a Monarch.

Who would bet against Sam repeating the feat? It's a possibility but the Monarchs' boys will be up against a strong field including Scott Nicholls, Danny King, Ryan Douglas and previous winner Nick Morris. Glasgow duo Ulrich Ostergaard and Tom Brennan will also be competing.