CLASH and Ower Boy Bullet landed now Hove-based trainer June Harvey a popular double in the heats of the Coral Champion Stakes at Romford on Friday.

In the process, the kennelmates clocked the two best times amongst the six heat winners of the £10,000 competition over 575m – Clash quickly away and making all in heat three in 35.08sec after Ower Boy Bullet also led early on his way to scoring in 35.10sec from Sunderland Grand Prix winner Bombers Bullet in the previous heat two.

“They were both perfect runs, and we’re delighted with them,” said Matt Redman, son of the winning trainer. “Clash was out and gone and is just a real star for us and Ower Boy Bullet showed great pace to lead just before the bend. They’d won well there the previous week, but it’s great to do it in the heats.

“They’re at the top of their game at the moment,” he added of the kennelmates. “It was disappointing to see Droopys Alex go out, but he missed the break and found trouble behind Bullet. But as for Bullet; he’s a win-machine!

“That’s six from his last seven runs in both England and Ireland. He’s still relatively unknown, and still quite new to us, but ran well at Hove in the Sussex Cup and let’s hope he can keep the performances up moving on.

“As for Clash, he’s been such a game dog since we’ve had him, and I truly believe he deserves a competition win. He looks perfect for Romford – he’s a small dog with a blend of early pace and staying power. He’s taken to Romford’s 575m like a duck to water.”

The Champion Stakes had kicked off with victory for John Mullins’s Swift Tarquin swooping late to deny Droopys Judge by a neck in 35.85sec, giving the trainer of 2016 Champion Stakes winner Ascot Woodie early success in this year’s renewal.

Mark Wallis, trainer of one of the fancied Champion Stakes contenders in Bombers Bullet, also sent out another leading player in Peter Bussey Memorial champion Saleen Ash in heat four, scoring another pillar-to-post success in 35.12sec – off a flying 13.45sec sectional, only beaten by Ower Boy Bullet on the night.

Derek Knight’s Golden Jacket and Coronation Cup winner Shotgun Bullet made a winning return to the Essex track in heat as he turned handy and led at the third bend to win in 35.52sec, while Kanturk Repeat made all for Heather Dimmock in heat six in 35.33sec from Romeo Mandate, the latter making it three semi-finalists for the Mullins camp.

Friday’s Coral Champion Stakes semi-finals:-

First: 1 Droopys Who, 2 Romeo Mandate, 3 Shotgun Bullet, 4 Mays Cucard, 5 Droopys Judge (w), 6 Saleen Ash (w).

Second: 1 Bombers Bullet, 2 Ballymac Ina (m), 3 Clash (m), 4 Jasper Avenue (m), 5 Westway Turk (w), Thor Tagg (w).

Third: 1 Swift Tarquin, 2 Slick Sphinx (m), 3 Kanturk Repeat (m), 4 Aghadown Brae (m), 5 Vinergarhill Ruby (w), Ower Boy Bullet (w).