MAGICAL HOUDINI set the standard in the heats of the Coral Golden Sprint at Romford on Friday as Belinda Green’s runner made a successful return to the track after a short spell off with a fastest-of-the-night return.

Breaking smartly in heat three, last year’s Kent Silver Salver winner for previous trainer Patrick Janssens was soon in charge and was never headed as he went two and a half lengths clear from Swift Biscuit at the line in 23.82sec (normal) for the 400m.

Completing a double on the night for Crayford handler Green after the earlier success of Touchdown Zak over 575m, Magical Houdini delighted his trainer who is now looking forward to him lining up in Friday’s semi-finals – and perhaps even improving.

“He’s not had a lot of work this year,” she said. “I’d hoped to have had two runs into him at Central Park before the Golden Sprint. However our delightful weather put paid to that, so we knew he’d be short coming into this competition.

“This was his first run of 2020 after coming back from a lay-off, so to win like that was fantastic, although he was definitely tiring coming home. He’ll come on a lot for the run and should be getting back down to some of his best form for us.

“He clocked 23.66sec (+10) the last time he was at Romford on their grand opening evening in September and there’s no question ‘Harry’ has been a real asset since joining our team last August. Fingers crossed for the semi-finals now.”

The £10,000-to-the-winner event kicked off with victory for the Mark Fenwick-trained Kenton Ten who turned handy before reeling in Savana Jessica to win in 24.06sec, before   Michelle Brown’s Signature Callum kept wide and out of trouble inside to win heat two in 23.91sec from Puppy Cup finalist Badminton Donal (Kevin Hutton).

Heat four saw a fast start and all-the-way victory for Spencer Mavrias’s Melodys Secret, while strong-running Swift Sabbath (Paul Burr) started well in heat five and was clear off the second bend as his rivals crowded inside to win easily in 24.00sec.

The sixth and final heat saw a gutsy victory for the Mark Wallis-trained Tiffield Blueboy, who railed into the lead rounding the final turn to edge out Runninta Luvya in 24.50sec, with General James (June Harvey) close up in third.

Mark Arkell, Romford racing manager, said the competition is set up nicely heading into the semi-finals.

“We had a few surprises, but some great performances also, which has set up some very interesting semi-finals,” he said. “A few lesser fancied runners really stepped up to the plate, while some of the more fancied runners also managed to qualify.

“I thought overall it was a great night’s racing. Long Lincoln won the final really nicely for Martyn Wiley’s kennel, while the Essex Vase winner Droopys Aoife was a popular winner for her supporters over 575m – cheering the Ernie Gaskin camp after a tough week for the family.”

Trap draw and form for Friday’s semi-finals: www.romfordgreyhoundstadium.co.uk/result/racecardform/2020/03/06racecardform1.pdf