KEVIN HUTTON notched a double in the heats of the Premier Greyhound Racing Puppy Derby at Monmore on Saturday.

On a day in which favourite backers endured a frustrating time with all six market leaders beaten, Hutton’s team struck with Union Rebel and Ballymac Zari (pictured), while Tom Heilbron’s Omuircheartaigh posted the fastest time for the 480m trip.

Lining up in heat five, a burst of early pace from Arc Northern Puppy Derby finalist Omuircheartaigh saw the Newcastle raider soon in front and reverse form with his big-race conqueror Clona Curly (Diane Henry), who stayed on well in second.

However, Omuircheartaigh had half a length to spare over Clona Curly, clocking 28.16sec (-10), the pair joined in Saturday’s semis by Coppice Ella (Kevin Hutton).

The latter’s kennelmate Union Rebel made all the running in heat two to initiate a double for the Hutton camp, breaking well and scoring in 28.37sec win from Untold Dollar (Carol Weatherall) and Deelish Nora (Patrick Janssens), who dead-heated for second.

The Hutton double was completed by Ballymac Zari who produced a strong-running performance to cross the line three-quarters of a length clear of favourite Barntick Bear (Patrick Janssens) and Droopys Auntie (Paul Young) in 28.47sec (-10).

Closest finish was provided by Droopys Supply (Patrick Janssens) edging out long-time leader Get Up Champ (Belinda Green) in heat one with a strong-running effort in 28.69sec (-10), the pair finishing in front of third-placed Bramble Tango (Steve Anderson).

Vixons Filofax struck for the locals in heat three, a fast start setting up an all-the-way victory from Clona Kody (Richard Rees) and Gary The Arb (Belinda Green) in 28.27sec, the winner crossing the line four lengths clear of his field.

Icemans Girl made a winning UK debut in a crowded heat four as the Nathan Hunt-trained runner finished best to deny Droopys Eunice (Maxine Locke).

The latter had taken up the running down the far side when eventual third Madabout Peck (Tom Heilbron) drifted off in front at the sough. However, the Romford raider failed to hold the surge of Icemans Girl up the run-in who won by a head in 28.78sec (-10).

Monmore racing manager Tony Williamson said: “On paper it might look as if we had a few surprises on Saturday with not a great day for the favourites, but the racing was superb and those that won fully deserved the wins – and some of the finishes were top-notch.

“Icemans Girl is owned by Gerwyn Price who’s been on hand watching her qualifying trials and they’d have been delighted her winning first time for Nathan (Hunt). She’s obviously got more to come, as have all of the other pups, of course.

“You’d say the best quality heat proved be Omuircheartaigh leading home Clona Curly. Every year the Northern Puppy Derby form stands up well here and both must be respected big-time on their Newcastle form and have missed each other in the semis.

“Saturday should be another cracking morning here with three semi-finals of the Premier Greyhound Racing Puppy Derby plus heats of the Jim Woods Memorial, staged in honour of our legendary and popular former racing manager here.

“This is again a 630m competition and will be supported by a batch of 480m heats for individual dogs and bitches competitions.”

Form and draw for Saturday’s semi-finals of the Premier Greyhound Racing Puppy Derby: https://assets.cj1.in/imminent-otter/production/assets/results/Monmore/form-guides/Saturday-23rd-Mar-AM-Advance-Card-PGR-Puppy-Derby-Semi-Finals.pdf