SMALLMEAD consolidated her position as favourite for the Coral Champion Stakes at Romford with another impressive display over 575m in the second semi-final.

The John Mullins-trained flyer was again well away inside and, unleashing a powerful burst of early pace, was able to then match strides with fast-starting Deanridge Kane (Alison Kelly-Pilgrim) before drawing ahead to win by three and three-quarter lengths from that rival in 34.83sec (normal) – the pair qualifying for Friday’s final.

Joining them will be three Patrick Janssens-trained runners after the evergreen Desperado Dan, the 2019 Coronation Cup winner, improved his Romford record still further when winning the first semi-final by two and a half lengths in 35.33sec (normal), riding a bump and leading of the first bend to lead home kennelmate View King.

A delighted trainer Janssens, the current GBGB Trainer of the Year leader, said: “Desperado Dan is probably one of the most consistent dogs in training and always gives his best – and he’s well drawn in trap one in the final. I’m delighted for the dog himself – he’s running great just now – and owner Evan Herbert.

“View King only arrived just before the lockdown as a very well bred dog by Fernando Bale out of Airmount Tess. He won his first three races at Central Park – two A1s and then the heat of a maiden open competition, finishing fourth in the final after trouble. He had no luck at Monmore also, but we then took him to Romford after a trial. He won in 35.60sec-odd.

“He runs the track well, but I actually think there’s a lot more to come from this dog. He was almost round in front this week and is more than capable of doing a 35.10sec from the front. He’s been purchased by Graham Carpenter and Richard Marling, who’ve got Skilful Sandie with me. We were delighted with her win at Central Park on Sunday, incidentally.”

The Janssens trio for the Coral Champion Stakes Final at Romford was completed by Seaglass Smokey, another Evan Herbert-owned runner, who finished second to Mark Wallis’s Tiffield Maximus in the third semi-final. The winner broke smartly inside and made all the running to win by a length and a quarter in 35.34sec (normal).

Of Seaglass Smokey, Janssens added: “He’s a young dog progressing really nicely. He only turned two years old this month and has had just three races at Romford. You can’t really ask much more of a dog his age, reaching a Category One final already. He could improve again.

“Good luck to everyone – but thanks especially go to Romford and Coral for another great night’s racing in prospect.”

Mark Wallis was equally thrilled with Tiffield Maximus, who struck for the McColl family, the champion trainer commenting: “He seemed to lose his form after lockdown but we freshened him up with a few graded spins at Towcester. That seems to have done the trick and have brought him forward.

“It was a great effort to win his semi and make a Category One final, but he’s got a tough draw in three to deal with now.”

Trap draw and form for Friday’s final: www.romfordgreyhoundstadium.co.uk/result/racecardform/2020/09/18racecardform1.pdf