BUBBLY APACHE completed a hat-trick of wins as he followed up an impressive heat victory last week in Monday’s third semi-final of the Arc Puppy Classic at Nottingham.

The December 19 son of Loughteen Blanco and Droopys Berry, who now boasts a career record of three wins from four starts, made all the running after a superb show of early pace to score in 29.84sec (+30) for the 480m trip, finishing four and a quarter lengths clear of Trumps Benefit (Carol Weatherall). The latter recovered well after second-bend crowding to make next week’s £6,500-to-the-winner decider.

Trumps Benefit therefore faces another clash with the Paul Young-trained youngster, the pair lining up side by side as middle seeds.

Steve Fluin, chairman of The Champagne Club Syndicate, which owns Bubbly Apache, was delighted with the performance and is looking forward to next week.

He said: “Apache has definitely been a decent acquisition for The Champagne Club – especially now after winning his heat and semi-final of The Puppy Classic, which is always a top-class competition.

“He’s shown plenty of early pace to win his races and he’ll need to show that speed again in Monday’s final after most of the principals also qualified for it.

“He reminds me of Bubbly Bluebird who won this event for us in 2016 by leading from trap to line and I’m hoping Apache can do the same. We’re expecting a decent turnout from his shareholders so he’ll be loudly cheered on if he traps out!

“Obviously those who can’t make it can support him on Sky Sports Racing.”

The first semi-final saw local hope Jumeirah Caesar (Jumeirah Bran-Jumeirah Charm, Sept 2019) shine for Barry Denby, producing a powerful surge from halfway to catch Clerihan Axle (Jason Gray) before crossing the line a length clear of the staying-on Bellmore Sally (Jimmy Fenwick) in 29.95sec (+30).

Fastest time of the trio of semi-finals – and of the night – was posted by Angela Harrison’s Coolavanny Aunty in the second semi as the September 2019 daughter of Droopys Sydney and Yahoo Katie raced to a 4.95sec sectional on her way to a trap-to-line victory in an impressive 29.64sec (+30).

Nathan Hunt’s Doghouse Dazzler qualified in second here, finishing three and three-quarter lengths behind the winner.

Trap draw for Monday’s final: 1 Bellmore Sally, 2 Coolavanny Aunty, 3 Bubbly Apache (m), 4 Trumps Benefit (m), 5 Doghouse Dazzler (m), 6 Jumeirah Caesar (m).

Results: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=376592&raceId=768301