Palm Toft debut and the return of Masters

NEWS Wednesday 4th June 2025, 8:28am

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Stellar Monarchs welcome Danish rider Michael Palm Toft to their side this Friday night as they attempt to get Championship points on the board when they face Oxford Cheetahs led by Sam Masters, the former Monarch who had so much success in our colours.

Palm Toft makes his debut as a direct replacement for the departed Oskar Polis. He hasn't ridden yet this season but is reporting fit and ready for the task, with a very good recent record at Armadale. He won four races when visiting with Scunthorpe last August.

Both teams show changes due to the Grand Prix qualifying meetings this coming weekend. Monarchs will use rider replacement for captain Paco Castagna en route to Italy while Cheetahs bring in the popular former Monarchs Lasse Fredriksen and Jacob Hook as guests for their missing men.

Alex Harkess believes his side can take the points. "We have Oxford coming, with Sam leading them, and I still think of Sam as one of ours really. They've done very well with a win at Poole and we hope to send them packing as we did narrowly last year. We are missing Paco, but Sedgy gets one of the rider replacement rides so we should be able to cope OK with Victor still at reserve."

Following Friday's fixture there is a break next week for the British Grand Prix at Belle Vue Manchester, then away fixtures at Oxford and Redcar before the next home match on Friday 27th June.

Friday's match will be Live Streamed for those who cannot attend, details on www.edinburghmonarchs.co.uk.

FRIDAY'S MATCH:

Friday 6th June: Edinburgh Monarchs v Oxford Cheetahs (Championship), Armadale, 7:30pm

STELLAR MONARCHS: Michael Palm Toft, rider replacement for Paco Castagna, Jonatan Grahn, Kye Thomson, Justin Sedgmen (Capt.), Victor Palovaara, Mark Parker.

S D TIMMO CHEETAHS: Sam Masters (Capt.), Ben Morley, Lasse Fredriksen, Jordan Jenkins. Cameron Heeps, Jody Scott, Jacob Hook.