BROADWAY MURTY was narrowly quickest in the semi-finals of the Bet365 Northamptonshire Sprint at Towcester on Sunday – helping set up an intriguing final for the Category Two showpiece over 270m this weekend.

Sean White’s youngster was quickly away in the second semi-final and never really looked in danger as the February 2022 son of Ballymac Best and Blackstone May sped clear of his rivals to cross the line a length and a quarter in front of Salthill Sniper (Ron Peckover), who secured his place in Sunday’s £5,000-to-the-winner decider just in front of third-placed Antigua Sun (Jason Heath).

The winning time for Broadway Murty was 15.65sec (normal), which was one spot quicker than Quarteira posted in the third semi-final as Mark Wallis’s GBGB Sprinter of the Year nominee dominated proceedings from the inside slot.

Soon in charge, the March 2021 son of Ballymac Best and Kilara Jessie impressively strode clear for a three and a quarter length success over kennelmate Saffrons Dash for a Wallis-trained one-two, with Hopes Hurricane (Nathan Hunt) narrowly missing out in third. The winning time for the now 17-time winner was 15.66sec (normal).

Romeo Crusade kicked off the semi-finals with another impressive Towcester victory as David Mullins’ Romford raider made it three-in-a-row at the track with a game success.

Soon in full stride and in front, the February 2022 son of Droopys Sydney and Fabulous Skylar, who had beaten Quarteira in a warm-up contest for the event before winning his heat and semi-final, held the persistent challenge of local hope Letitwithme (Reggie Allder) up the run-in to score in the first semi in 15.84sec (normal).

Pat Cooney of big-race sponsors Bet365 is looking forward to Sunday’s final, which he says oozes quality and has been delighted with how the competition has progressed for the firm.

He said: “Our sponsorship of this sprint competition has been really well received. I was at Musselburgh races on Sunday and had more people talk to me about the semi-finals of the Northamptonshire Sprint than the horse racing!

“It’s certainly an intriguing final. Quarteira is a worthy favourite but perhaps trap three may be problematical and there is stiff opposition, of course.

“Broadway Murty is our biggest loser in the ante-post book having been well supported at 12-1 and looks a big player from trap two, but we’re happy to be backing such a good competition with a quality final, and good luck to connections of all the runners.”

Trap draw for Sunday’s Bet365 Northamptonshire Sprint Final: 1 Saffrons Dash, 2 Broadway Murty, 3 Quarteira, 4 Romeo Crusade, 5 Salthill Super, 6 Letitwithme (m).