GRAYS CUP WINNER and Calzaghe Flash now vie for favourItism for the Coral Romford Puppy Cup after Friday’s semi-finals produced short shrift for favourite backers – not least with a 25-1 scorer in Pantone Slippy.

The David Mullins-trained runner, who only qualified for the semis on the toss of a coin after dead-heating for third place in the heats, took full advantage in the second semi as she paced up, rode a bump at the first bend, and made all to score in 24.88sec (normal).

Paul Young’s Bubbly Bonanza ran on strongly after trouble to qualify in second here to ensure a Romford one-two, and they will be joined by trackmate Grays Cup Winner in next week’s £10,000 decider after Philip Simmonds’ youngster romped the third semi.

Trapping smartly in the toughest qualifier, he led early and was never headed to record the fastest semi-final time as he drew right away to beat the staying-on Dantes Inferno (Alison Kelly-Pilgrim) by five and three-quarter lengths in 23.81sec.

Nathan Hunt, assistant to winning trainer Simmonds, said the team was delighted with the run which kick-started a busy weekend for the Cambridge-based kennel who qualified Ridgedale Max for the St Leger Final at Perry Barr.

Hunt said: “He came away level which is better than he’d been doing recently, but his pace to the bend was frightening. He drove the first bend very well and went away from them down the back to put the race to bed.

“Given it was a very talented field, that was some run. He’s got trap four in the final, and we’re happy enough with that and proud to make another Puppy Cup Final – it’s actually our fourth in the row. The difference this year might be he’s a live contender.

“Of course, you need a slice of luck and he’s got to get the start right. But he’s been a good dog for us right from the start after his owners, who are from Scotland, sent him down to us unraced. He made a winning debut at Romford in A1.

“Best of luck to all the finalists,” he added. “It should be a good night with the Essex Vase starting the same night too. There’s good local interest in the final and it’s always a quality event. All of us at the kennel are delighted to be involved.”

The opening semi-final saw Ted Soppitt’s long journey from his Durham base worthwhile as the January 17 whelp broke smartly, raced to a fastest-of-the-night 3.58 split before racing away to beat Drive On Hunter (Kevin Hutton) by over five lengths in 23.90sec.

Summing up the action, Mark Arkell, deputy racing manager at Romford, said: “The semi-finals have given us a very interesting final with a good mix of home and away trainers – which keeps the local interest in one or our major events going.

“On the evidence of the semis, Grays Cup Winner and Calzaghe Flash will likely battle it out for favouritism – although with them all being puppies anything can happen. Either way, the night promises to be our strongest night of the year.

“Not only do we have the Coral Romford Puppy Cup Final, but also a couple of Friday Night 500 Finals – plus it’s the start of the Coral Essex Vase. It’s another £10,000-to-the-winner event here and entries close at noon on Tuesday.”

Trap draw for Friday’s Coral Romford Puppy Cup Final: 1 Bubbly Bonanza, 2 Drive On Hunter, 3 Dantes Inferno (m), 4 Grays Cup Winner (m), 5 Calzaghe Flash (m), 6 Pantone Slippy (m).