LINKS MAVERICK has his sights firmly set on a Category One treble after the Tom Heilbron-trained Newcastle raider blasted to victory again in the third semi-final of the Ladbrokes Gold Cup at Monmore on Saturday.

The Pall Mall champion, quickest in the heats the previous week, was again quickly into stride and once again led main rival Churchfield Syd into the bend, along with Arc Puppy Cup winner Ballybough Mags (Harry Burton), and came home five and a quarter lengths clear of Richard Rees’s dog in 27.95sec (normal) for the 480m trip.

The first semi-final saw another Category One winner in Laurels hero Hawkfield Ozark crowded from lids-rise but soon in full flow into the bend before crossing the line two and three-quarter lengths clear of Cornelius Condon’s Flickofacoin in 28.36sec (normal).

The Mark Wallis-trained Derby Plate champion Whyaye Man came from off the pace to collar longtime leader Whitings New Era in the second semi-final before coming home a length and a quarter clear of Nathan Hunt’s runner in 28.19sec (normal).

Paul Mason, Monmore’s stadium manager, said: “Links Maverick has been sensational in the Ladbrokes Gold Cup so far, clocking the fastest times, and will be the one to beat in Saturday’s final – albeit he has some big-race winners to overcome.

“It promises to be a great final but I’m sure Tom Heilbron and his team will be happy with the make-up of the race, although they know he has to do things right. Already, however, he’s franked the form of what was a brilliant Premier Greyhound Racing Puppy Derby Final here earlier this year in which Links Maverick finished third.

“We’re all looking forward to the weekend. It’s a super Saturday for the Entain tracks with the Ladbrokes Grand National and Ladbrokes Guys & Dolls finals at Crayford on Saturday morning before Monmore on Saturday night features four finals, including the Ladbrokes Gold Cup and Ladbrokes Summer Stayers Classic.

“This continues a really busy time for us. Only last week we also announced our latest Hall of Fame inductee in the shape of local legend Carol Turner. Known here as just Mrs T, Carol has worked at Monmore for 47 years no less, working in the racing office, judges’ box and paddock. She’s our longest-serving member of staff – by some distance!

“As our racing manager Tony Williamson said, Carol has probably seen more races and stewarded more meetings than anyone and has always been utterly professional in her work and we are lucky to have her here at Monmore.”

Trap draw for the Ladbrokes Gold Cup Final: https://assets.cj1.in/imminent-otter/production/assets/results/Monmore/form-guides/Saturday-26th-Aug-Finals.pdf