The 20:53 open race at Romford over 400 metres was billed as a match between Underground Matt and Bubbly Everest, the top two in our predictions. It turned into something else entirely.
March On Millie, rated sixth and last in our predicted order, broke fast from trap 3 and never looked back. She led from the first stride, shifting from rails to middle, and held the lot at bay in 23.79. At 5/1 in the market, she wasn't entirely dismissed by punters, but nobody at RateThatDog saw this coming either.
Behind her, the predicted principals had a torrid time. Underground Matt, our number one pick and 2.38 favourite, was bumped on the run-up and never got into a position to challenge early enough. He ran on into second, a length and a half behind, which was probably a fair effort given the trouble. But the damage was done before the first bend.
Bubbly Everest's race was worse. Wide from trap 6, she was bumped at the first bend and then properly baulked at the third. A 3/1 chance who finished fifth, beaten over eight lengths. The run comments tell you everything: this wasn't a dog who failed to perform. It was a dog who never got the chance.
Newtown Champ and Deelish Jack, third and fourth picks, both encountered trouble too. The pattern across the field was clear: early crowding sent most of the field sideways, and March On Millie was the one who avoided it all. Quick away, clear run, job done.
What does this tell us going forward? Underground Matt's run-on into second from a bad position actually confirms his ability. On a cleaner break from a better draw, he's still a dog to follow at this level. Bubbly Everest's form line should be thrown out given the interference she suffered. And March On Millie? She clearly has more speed than a last-place composite ranking suggests. When a dog leads all the way at open race level at Romford, that's raw pace you cannot dismiss. She goes on the watchlist as one to follow next time she gets a clean break.