Eight Point Lead To Defend At Ashfield

PREVIEW Wednesday 13th August 2025, 10:15am

by Graham Muncie

  Edinburgh Monarchs

Stellar Monarchs are back in cup action on Wednesday with the much awaited second leg of the quarter final clash against the Glasgow Tigers at Ashfield.

The Monarchs take an eight point lead west but are forced into a pair of changes.

Victor Palovaara has to sit out with the 7-day absence that comes from a non-speedway absence, however with our number one suffering from pneumonia and missing matches in Sweden this week it may be a guest would have been required anyway.

Stepping in for Victor is Redcar's Jason Edwards, Edwards recording a paid eleven score when visiting with his Redcar side a few weeks ago, a pair of heat wins included in this tally.

At the other end of the team Palovaara's fellow Swede Jonatan Grahn misses out also, this time a victim of circumstance, Jonatan having to ride in a re-arranged Swedish match following a rain off last week, the international calendar priority list meaning the Swedish league match takes precedent over a British cup fixture.

Jacob Hook comes in for Grahn, Hook another with recent Ashfield experience scoring five and a bonus in his Workington sides narrow defeat just last week.

Elsewhere the Monarchs are as expected albeit with a change in riding order that sees Michael Palm Toft and Kye Thomson swapping positions. Palm Toft now at number four and Thomson at Five.

The Tigers strength comes from their top five with recent signing Villads Nagal showing tremendous form only weeks into his UK career.

Elsewhere, the ageless Chris Harris continues to be among the top riders in the division, Dan Thompson's upwards trajectory shows no slowing and Leon Flint is enjoying perhaps his finest season in the sport with regular high scores both at Championship and Premiership level.

Kyle Howarth normally completes the top five but he misses out in this one with Workington Aussie Tate Zischke deputising.

Max Perry and Freddy Hodder are at reserve with both capable of a big score in any meeting albeit the pari maybe looking for consistency also.

So, eight points the lead the Monarchs hold currently and look to defend this means the maths are simple any result of a 7 point defeat or better and the Monarchs head for the semi finals, any 9 point plus Tigers win and it is Glasgow that proceed, if the first leg result is matched then it is 'Super Heat' time.

No stream is available for this match so please do not click on any links you may see on social media but live updates will be available from 7.30pm on the Monarchs official website.

Full Result Details