TRUMPS BENEFIT justified his position as ante-post favourite in ultra-convincing style when running away with heat two of the Arc Puppy Classic at Nottingham on Monday.

The Carol Weatherall-trained youngster paced up well to head his rivals off at the turn before racing clear on his way to a ten-and-a-half-length success over Baggios Turbo (Frank Bryce) in a quickest-of-the-night 29.85sec for the 500m trip.

The December 2019 son of Droopys Jet and Calico Tiny is owned by Matt Barrett, Dave Kay, Nick McDowell and Darren Holmes – and part-owner Kay was delighted with the performance coming on the back of their runner’s success at Hove.

“That was some run at Hove to pick up Brookside Richie and he’s come on again in all likelihood,” he said. “He broke pretty well for him, although slightly screwed to the right before straightening up which meant he had to work to get to the front by the turn.

“But he’s managed that, which is some achievement in itself. He’d not been able to do that at Hove and Towcester, so that’s why we believe he’s coming forward. Once in the position then he’s shown his real ability and run right away.

“We’re pleased with how he’s progressing. After not quite getting the luck at Towcester, we were pleased with his runs at Hove and hoped Nottingham would suit his style. He rode the first bend really well after a good start and we’re hoping for same again in the semis.

“Either way, he’s been given plenty of time. He was unraced in Ireland and only made his debut in May and it was really only last month when he’s gained the experience at Towcester and then Hove. He’ll hopefully come on for the Notts run now, too.”

Training honours in the Puppy Classic heats went to Newcastle trainer Jimmy Fenwick who notched a double courtesy of all-the-way heat one winner Swing Bridge (30.26sec) and Bellmore Sally in heat six, the latter finishing well to score in 30.13sec.

Bubbly Apache was a runaway winner in heat three as the Paul Young-trained youngster was soon in command and won by eight lengths from Magna Blackmore (Barrie Draper) and Drahbeg Dandy (Gerry Ballentine) in 30.00sec.

The remaining heats were won by Angela Harrison’s strong-running Coolavanny Aunty who came through powerfully at the third bend in heat four to score by four lengths from Skywalker Stan (Ted Soppitt) in 30.15sec, while heat five went in trap-to-line style to Barry Denby’s local Ridgedale Blake (30.55sec).

Trap draw for Monday’s semi-finals: www.nottingham-greyhounds.co.uk/racing/