DROOPYS CLUE heads into Saturday’s Premier Greyhound Racing St Leger Final at Perry Barr as the fastest semi-final winner after another brilliant win for Seamus Cahill’s young stayer on a night Irish trainer Graham Holland landed a double to secure two chances for this weekend’s £20,000 six-bend Classic decider.

Lining up in the third semi-final, Droopys Clue was led from the traps by Millridge Tanic (Pat Curtin) but soon paced up into the lead and was on his way to a two and three-quarter length success over the Monmore raider in 43.03sec (-20) for the 710m trip.

It means the August 2021 son of Out Of Range ASB and Droopys Natalia will line up in his fourth major final on Saturday after running-up in the recent Ladbrokes Summer Stayers Classic at Monmore, winning the Juvenile Classic at Towcester, and making the final of the Seasons Scaffolding Puppy Cup, a Category Two event at Hove in April.

Jacktavern Bella initiated a double for Co Tipperary-based Graham Holland when spoiling the party for backers of highly rated litter sisters Ballymac Taylor and Ballymac Katie in the opening semi-final as a show of early pace set up an all-the-way victory.

Soon in charge, the August 2020 daughter of Droopys Sydney and Lemon Ariana never looked in danger and came home four and a quarter lengths clear of Coonough Crow (Mark Wallis) in 43.40sec (-20), the latter holding a spirited effort from Lively Lauren (Matt Dartnall) to claim a place in the weekend’s stayers’ Classic final.

The Holland double was completed by Garfiney Blaze in the second semi-final as the Corn Cuchulainn finalist reeled in longtime leader Lightfoot Clark (Jimmy Fenwick) rounding the last bend on his way to a two and a quarter lengths success over the Newcastle raider, the September 2021 son of Ballymac Anton and Ballymac Merkle clocking 43.74sec (-40).

It means Holland kennel is now looking to add to successes in the UK in 2023 with Gaytime Nemo in the Star Sports English Derby and Clona Duke in the JenningsBet Select Stakes – Romeo Hanzo represents the team in the Produce Stakes final at Swindon on Thursday – and could become just a second Irish-trained St Leger winner.

Redzer Ardfert struck for Brendan Maunsell in 2019 and Nicky Holland, wife of the winning trainer, is hopeful either Jacktavern Bella or Garfiney Blaze can add their name to a famous roll of honour – albeit knows the task in hand will be a tough one.

“Look, it’s a really good final as you’d expect for a St Leger but it’s just great to have two chances and be doubly represented. We knew Bella had to come away and get first run on the two Ballymac sisters, who are just so strong, but she managed that – being out in front is the best place to be – and it was a brilliant run in the end.

“Garfiney Blaze didn’t come away as well as he did last week and that was probably reflected in the time, but he’s battled hard to win and come away from them nicely in the end. It means we’re coming back, which is great. Perry Barr have been really hospitable and getting Bockos Crystal through to the (M Lambe) Birmingham Cup final is also great.”

Trap draw for Saturday’s £20,000 Premier Greyhound Racing St Leger Final: 1 Lightfoot Clark,