CLARES KYLETAUN roared to comfortably the fastest time in Thursday’s heats of the Coral Regency at Hove as June Harvey’s dog set the standard – and some – in the first round of the £10,000-to-the-winner competition at the Sussex venue.

Taking his chance in a four-runner heat, last year’s TV Trophy finalist and Ballyregan Bob Memorial Race winner over C&D always led after a fast start and took advantage of a coming together between Shreyas Solitair and Rubys Rascal at the bend to quickly be in command.

Soon clear, the July 2015 son of Ballyana Foxtrot and Lughill Marie (pictured above winning over 930m at Hove last August) had six and a quarter lengths in hand of his rivals at the line, posting 41.41sec (-30) for the 695m trip and delighted Matt Redman, son and kennel hand for his mother.

He said: “The warmer weather has certainly helped in recent weeks. The problem with him has generally been cramping – we had a torrid time this winter with it. He even cramped up in the Ballyregan Bob race, but managed to hold on.

“Our aim when we got him was achieved in reaching the TV Trophy final, but Towcester was so cold that night we knew he would cramp up and he did. It wasn’t his true running and he showed that at Hove in his next race,

“We gave him lots of four-bend spins since his winter, plus rest, and it seems to have worked. He’s on a new diet and its clearly helping. He ran a brilliant race in his heat of the Golden Crest at Poole over a trip short of his best.

“But then Kyle over six bends has always shown enough speed to keep with them – he’s run some very fast first laps over six bends and further at Hove and Romford – and once he’d got himself in a position over six bends you were always hopeful.

“Mum’s delighted with him, although it looks a red-hot semi-final! But we know he’s well and certainly ran well on Thursday. Let’s just hope the temperatures don’t dip too much! Although we’re on top of things now hopefully with him.

“But a massive thanks must go to Phil Milner, our physio. He has worked very hard on Kyle this year and we owe him a lot.”

The Harvey kennel will be represented in the Star Sports Derby with their Golden Crest and Sussex Cup finalist Clash, and Redman was delighted with his prep trial at Towcester in midweek, describing his workout at the Northamptonshire venue as “massive”.

“He was less than a length behind Droopys Verve on times, so that’s top form, he said. “He also clocked a good split time, so we’re happy with him, and also Droopys Alex. It was his first ever look, so we’re more than happy with him.

“Unfortunately we had to take Ower Boy Bullet out. He has a badly swollen wrist and will be off a while,” added Redman, who is nevertheless looking forward along with the rest of he Harvey team to the start of the Derby. The kennel is also playing host to Pat Buckley’s team from Ireland.

“It’s great to have Pat and his team here.” added Redman. “They have their own range and hopefully the base will work for them. He always has a strong team for the English Derby and his runners look a picture. Hopefully we all have a good campaign.”

Back to the Regency heats, and numerically Mark Wallis was leading trainer with a trio of victories in the first round and a host of semi-finalists for imperial Kennels, fresh from their victory at the Trainers’ Championship meeting at Towcester last week.

The Wallis treble was courtesy of one of their Towcester heroes Garryglass Champ (41.94sec -30), last year’s Dorando Marathon winner Aayama Breeze (42.10sec – 30) as she continues her fantastic comeback from injury, and last-gasp winner Cincinnati (42.08sec -30).

The other heats went to Ben McBride’s Apache Kid (42.12sec – 30) and John Mullins’ recent intake Minnies Highway (41.83sec – 30) who led home ante-post favourite Slippy Maggie in their heat. The latter has subsequently been withdrawn in-season.

Thursday’s semi-finals:-

First semi: 1 Kiltrea Mike, 2 Rubys Rascal, 3 Aayamza Breeze, 4 Bangor Ella, 5 Underground Fox, 6 Garryglass Champ (m).

Second semi: 1 Shreyas Solitair, 2 Cincinnati, 3 Paradise Marco, 4 Minnies Highway, 5 Zenas Treacle (m), 6 Kentish Power (w).

Third semi: 1 Slick Strauss, 2 Russelena Reggie, 3 Affleck Lady, 4 Vacant, 5 Apache Kid, 6 Clares Kyletaun (w).