Wallis' Glanmire fastest in the Puppy Cup semis
Mark Wallis: delighted with his Glanmire Lad's performance
PICTURE: STEVE NASHGLANMIRE LAD rocketed out of the boxes (3.61sec sectional) in the third semi of the Romford Puppy Cup on Friday night to give Mark Wallis a boost after being shaken up by the Paul Young challenge on his Trainers Championship lead.
Glenmire Lad, a well-backed 6-4 favourite, was a popular winner as he raced well clear to clock 24.38sec, fastest of the three eliminators.
Yahtzee produced good pace up before colliding with Paulees Stevie at the bend, and although still showed down the back, eventually tired as Blackrose Eva ran on to take second, beaten three lengths, and qualify for Friday's £8,000-to-the-winner final
Express Rover broke fast in the opening semi, although was beaten for pace up by Lenson Champ, who tried to chop his rival off at the bend, but only succeeded in hampering himself and effectively handing the race to Chris Allsopp's pup, who shrugged off the bump to march into Friday's final unbeaten in the event. Express Rover clocked 24.47 sec, winning by just under two lengths.
Lenson Champ recovered to hold second from a well supported Bens Angel.
Young's Ballymac Josh (10-1), a February 11 whelp but already a giant of a dog, handled the track well when taking an early lead in the second semi, and although pursued by Oscars Goodbye, held that rival to score by threequarters of a length in 24.52sec
Fahy Pine, who had been gambled on in the ring, collided with Droopys Derek at the turn.
Friday's final (with Coral betting): 1 Ballymac Josh (8-1) 2 Oscars Goodbye (4-1) 3 Glanmire Lad (m) (6-4) 4 Express Rover (m) (11-4) 5 Lenson Champ (w) (10-1) 6 Blackrose Eve (w) (7-1)
