MONMORE racing manager Tony Williamson is looking forward to Saturday’s semi-finals of the Premier Greyhound Racing Puppy Derby after the weekend’s heats produced some high-class efforts and fast times – and has resulted in three excellent contests.

Places in next week’s £20,000-to-the-winner will be up for grabs in the trio of semi-finals at the Wolverhampton venue and Williamson believes the Category One remains wide open.

“It was another really good night’s racing here,” said Williamson, a week on from the Ladbrokes Winter Derby gala at the track. “These look a really good crop of youngsters for the Premier Greyhound Racing Puppy Derby and it was great to have Irish interest – and a win – with Jacktavern Chief winning for David Byrne.

“Training honours on the night went to Seamus Cahill with his double – Droopys Invent and Dark Madam – while Droopys Aladdin impressed for Mike Burton in the very first heat. It was a great performance to kick off the event and was followed later by Rackethall Brute absolutely taking off in his heat to post the fastest time for Mark Wallis.”

Lining up in heat three, Rackethall Brute burst through the pack off the second bend as his rivals crowded in front and raced away for a four and a half lengths success from Bowmers Wildcat (Paul Young) in a night’s fastest 28.10sec (normal) for the 480m trip.

Seamus Cahill notched a double with Droopys Invent producing a strong-running performance to cross the line a length in front of Arthur Job (Patrick Godfrey) in heat two in 28.35sec (normal), before bet365 Puppy Oaks finalist Dark Madam produced a stirring and welcome return to the track when making all in heat four in 28.47sec from hotpot Droopys Berries (Kevin Hutton) in 28.47sec (normal).

The event began with Droopys Aladdin winning at the second time of asking for Mike Burton in heat one – a best-of-night 4.30sec sectional setting up a two-length victory over the keeping-on Ballymac Kobe (Maxine Locke) in 28.44sec (normal).

David Byrne’s Jacktavern Chief, a littermate of Droopys Aladdin, struck for Ireland in heat five as a fast start set up a narrow head victory over the closing Deliverooo (Tom Heilbron) in 28.52sec (normal), while Maxine Locke’s always-handy Headford Dane made a winning UK debut, coming through strongly off the last bend to deny longtime leader Le Pur Sang (Paul Young) in 28.47sec (normal).

Looking ahead to the semis, Williamson said: “There’s a real mix of talent in all three semis. You’d probably say Rackethall Brute might prove strong for them in the first semi but he’s up against two cracking sorts in Droopys Aladdin and Jacktavern Chief.

“Dark Madam’s pace from the traps impressed last week and she can improve further for the run in the second semi, while the third semi is the most competitive of the three with so much early pace on show. Droopys Invent and Droopys Berries will both be bang there.”

Trap draw for Saturday’s Premier Greyhound Racing Puppy Derby semi-finals:

First semi: 1 Rackethall Brute, 2 Droopys Aladdin, 3 Arthur Job, 4 Jacktavern Chief (m), 5 Deliverooo (m), 6 Carmac Pete (w).

Second semi: 1 Rogue Duo, 2 Dark Madam, 3 Ballymac Kobe, 4 Uncle Ed (m), 5 Reasonate (m), 6 Swift Bullseye (w).

Third semi: 1 Droopys Invent, 2 Droopys Berries, 3 Headford Dane, 4 Bowmers Wildcat (m), 5 Le Pur Sang (m), 6 Ballinakill Liam (w).