SIGNET OTIS continued trainer Kevin Hutton’s fine run of form by setting the fastest time in the heats of the BGBF British Bred Derby kicked off at Sheffield on Tuesday.

Just 24 hours after half-brother Signet Ace’s success in the Arc Eclipse at Nottingham, the January 2020 son of Magical Bale and Forest Natalee was soon in command in heat four of the British-bred showpiece, posting a 4.34sec sectional on his way to a two-length victory over Keefill Finn (Barrie Draper) and Acomb Winston (Kevin Ferguson).

The winning time was 29.11sec (-20) and gave the youngster, a litter brother of Signet Denver, currently engaged in the Puppy Derby at Towcester, a third victory in six starts and his best yet.

Next quickest was another half-brother in Bernard after the May 2019 son of Droopys Jet and Forest Natalee, trained by Doncaster’s James Gaskin, was also soon clear and on his way to a two-and-a-quarter length success over locals Locked Down (Barrie Draper) and Sharpys Pluto (John Sharp) in 29.37sec (-20).

Last year’s champion Elderberry Sky (Pat Cowdrill) began his campaign for a successful defence by finishing a four-length second in heat one to Kim Gooding’s Shockwave Onyx in 29.57sec (-20), with Jaguar Blake (Paul Gregson) a close up third.

Boca Junior (29.42sec -20) had earlier initiated a Kevin Hutton-trained double when winning in heat two from kennelmate Sleek By Design and Barnside Millie (Sean Parker), while heat three saw the Nathan Hunt-trained Keefill Arthur (29.47sec -20) power away from his field before crossing the line just over seven and a quarter lengths clear of King Louis (Liz McNair) and Inca Boss (Phil Barlow).

The sixth and final heat went to Patrick Janssens’ Fabulous Azurra who led at halfway before holding Sharpys Jimmy (John Sharp) and Shockwave Onyx (Kim Gooding) by a neck and two-and-three-quarter lengths in 29.65sec (-20).

BGBF chair Liz Mort said: “We’ve been looking forward to our Derby enormously this year – and it hasn’t disappointed. Six full heats were very encouraging in terms of the original entry and we have some very good litters represented – and some very good greyhounds.

“It’s great to see Elderberry Sky back to defend his title and well done to Pat Cowdrill and her team. He didn’t have his best start, but made up for that and put in a good run to finish second to the younger Shockwave Onyx, who’s just out of the puppy stage. Incredibly, Elderberry Sky won his first open three months before Shockwave Onyx was born!

“Onyx is clearly an improving young dog and helped his trainer, joint-breeder and owner Kim Gooding to a good night given she also qualified Shockwave Amber – another of this  Droopys Sydney-Southoe Silver, Dec 19 batch. Well done to her.

“Two pups from another litter to watch in the future will represent Kevin Hutton in the semis. While the more experienced Boca Junior, from that exceptional Taylors Sky-Terminator, Sept 18 litter, took his heat, the same kennel’s Sleek By Design ran-up here.

“He’s from the home-bred Magical Bale-Forest Natalee, Jan 20, litter pup which also includes Signet Otis who clocked the fastest time of the night.

“Congratulations to Kev for getting three through, but well done to everyone else in the semi-finals.

“Thank-you to the team at Sheffield for hosting the competition in their usual professional way and I’m looking forward to being there on December 21 for the highlight of the British-bred year.”

Trap draw and form for Tuesday’s semi-finals:-

First semi: 1 Jaguar Blake, 2 Sharpys Pluto, 3 Signet Otis, 4 Shockwave Onyx, 5 Vacant, 6 Bernard (w).

Second semi: 1 Sharpys Jimmy, 2 Inca Boss, 3 Sleek By Design, 4 Keefill Finn, 5 Boca Junior (m), 6 Fabulous Azurra (m).

Third semi: 1 Elderberry Sky, 2 Locked Down, 3 Shockwave Amber, 4 Keefill Arthur (m), 5 Barnside Millie (m), 6 King Louis (w).