Round-up from Hove Monmore, and Oxford
Blue Artisan: Winner of the Tuframe Greyhound Stud Book Trophy Final at Monmore
PICTURE: STEVE NASHTHE Truframe Greyhound Stud Book Trophy Final (9.32), which was a five-runner race due to the absence of Westmead Adonis (lame), was the highlight of Monmore's programme.
Harry Williams' Blue Artisan (4-5F) failed to lead but showed heart and determination to lead at the third bend and keep on gamely to hold Jazz Apollo by one length in 28.41sec.
There was an excellent turnout for the 480m Standard at 8.58 which saw Frankbrunosbro (3-1) put up a resolute front-running performance in holding Graigues Orchard at the third bend and then the late charge Westmead Maldini in a time of 28.48sec.
The Bitches race at 7.54 saw Craig Dawson' Mutual Decision show plenty of grit and determination to lead on the run in and record 28.69sec.
A 684m Stayers at 8.26 saw Stuart Mason's Luminous Park (7-4JF) make all of the running in a time of 41.79sec.
HOVE
The three semi-finals of the Coral Regency were the highlight of a quality card at Hove and fastest qualifier going forward to Tuesday's final (live on Sky Sports) is Mr Chow.
The opening semi saw Paul Sallis's Capoley Ash (7-4) come from well off the pace to overpower the tiring Blonde Fletch on the run in with Fabulous Shanty battling on well to snatch second spot and a place in Tuesday's decider behind the 41.82sec winner.
Heat two was a race of changing fortunes with Farloe Elektra, Portavoe Lass and then Express Trend all having their turn in front. However, the latter, who did a lot of running to get in front, was mugged close home by Chris Lund's Mr Chow (5-1) who clocked 41.78sec.
A messy third qualifier saw Airforce Newyork steal a march from a bunching field. However, he was a sitting duck off the final bend and was reeled in by Dave Firmager's Romeo Patrol (Evs F) and the unlucky Swift Signal with the winner clocking 42.18sec.
Draw for Tuesday's Final with sponsors betting: 1 Mr Chow (3-1), 2 Express Trend (5-2), 3 Swift Signal (8-1), 4 Fabulous Shanty (25-1), 5 Capoley Ash (w)(11-4), 6 Romeo Patrol (w)(3-1).
Earlier there was a red-hot Puppy contest at 7.46 featuring Farloe Tango who is currently ante-post favourite with the sponsors for next year's williamhill.com Derby.
Charlie Lister's charge couldn't have been more impressive in making all and beating King Lauchlan by 4 1/4L in 29.92sec.
The Bitches race at 9.06 saw Lister's Oaks champion Silverview Perky sent off a long odds-on jolly and she duly dotted up by almost ten lengths in 29.93sec.
Seamus Cahill's Jimmy Lollie ran in the sprint at 9.24 but despite a fast break didn't run well and faded away badly (reported muscle injury). Paul Young's Swabys Tony (9-4) won the race in a time of 16.42sec.
OXFORD
The Ladbrokes.com Pall Mall got under way at Oxford with six first round heats and topping the bill was Dean Childs' Droopys Loner (4-5F) who flew round to take heat five in 26.79sec.
Chris Allsopp's defending Champion Brittons Empire (3-1JF) took the opener when making all in 26.92sec. Allsopp then followed up when his Smart Bid (4-1) who also led all the way in 27.16sec.
Kevin Hutton's Kilmalady Biffo (7-2) became the third all-the-way winner when taking the third in 27.09sec and that was followed by a win for Frank Taylor's You Mind Me (11-10F) who, of course made all in 27.10sec.
The last of the six qualifiers sawPaul Young's 10-1 chance Millwards Blag take the honours in 27.17sec.
Draw for Thursday’s semi-finals – first: 1 Goa Getta, 2 Droopys Loner, 3 You Mind Me, 4 Ballymac Drogba, 5 Castlebride Dan (m), 6 Dromana Max (m).
Second: 1 Brittons Empire, 2 Hazy Purty, 3 Rio Torino, 4 Black Silver, 5 Kilmalady Biffo (m), 6 Farloe Mysterio (w).
Third: 1 Westmead Shaw, 2 Smart Bid, 3 Millwards Blag, 4 Packin Heat, 5 Droopys Betson, 6 Aherlow Shaw (m).
