William takes pole position in Puppy Derby

BALLYMAC WILLIAM, backed froma morning 6-4 into an SP of 4-5, justified the support with a best-of-night 28.27sec in winning the second semi-final of the Ladbrokes Puppy Derby over 480m at Monmore.

Carly Philpott’s dog was led early by Bower Eagle, but moved into second early in the back straight travelling ominously well and was in front by halfway, eventually scoring by more than three lengths.

Philpott, who won back-to- back runnings of event in 2005/6 with Ballymac Pires and Ballymac Charley, had earlier qualified Millies Hawk for the decider, although he had to settle for second in the opening semi after Mark Wallis’s Directors Spur (28.36sec) outstayed him close home.

The scrappy nature of the third semi, where Barrie Draper’s Farley Totti collared Star Gaze on the run-in, was reflected in a modest time of 28.71sec.

There were a number of interesting trials before racing with Chris Lund’s Borna Rocker going best over 480m when posting 28.37sec, while Jim Reynolds’s Craighall Horse, winner of four of his last five including at Wimbledon on Racing Post Juvenile night at Wimbledon, clocked 28.56sec over the same trip.

@Draw for Thursday’s £12,500 Ladbrokes Puppy Derby final: 1 Directors Spur, 2 Ballymac William, 3 Bower Eagle, 4 Farley Totti, 5 Star Gaze, 6 Millies Hawk (m).

At Sittingbourne, Juvenile fourth Lenson Bolt was turned over at odds of 2-5 in a 480m open. He recovered from a slow start to challenge Directors Ruler at halfway, but was chopped for room at the third bend and a late rally left him a length adrift of the winner