CROSSFIELD ENZO set the standard in the heats of the Ladbrokes Gold Cup at Monmore on Saturday – as the kennel responsible for last year’s winner signalled its intention to keep the trophy!

That kennel was Richard Rees’s who struck with the recently retired Churchfield Syd – and the Hove handler was at the double in the heats of the Gold Cup, landing a treble overall given Deadly Disco won a heat of the Ladbrokes Summer Stayers Classic which took also took place on the same card.

Crossfield Enzo posted what proved to be the fastest time of the six heats in heat one of the Ladbrokes Gold Cup, the Pall Mall finalist racing into a first-bend advantage which he always looked likely to hold on to, albeit Deliverooo (Tom Heilbron) kept on well to finish second, three-quarters of a length behind the 28.21sec winner (normal).

The Rees double in the Gold Cup heats was landed by Avarua Zlatan in heat four as another fast start set up an early lead for the red-jacketed runner who held on by a short-head to claim victory from running-on local Aero Pepinillo (Richie Taberner). The winning time for the 480m was 28.37sec (normal).

Union Rebel edged out Gingers Prince (Patrick Browne) in a battle of Category One winners in heat four.

Kevin Hutton’s Coral Golden Sprint champion paced up into the lead and held the always-handy Gingers Prince, the Pall Mall winner, also in 28.37sec.

Droopys Aladdin was a popular winner of heat three as Mike Burton’s dog unleashed a superb burst of middle pace to taken up the running before halfway and kept the advantage to the winning line for a length victory over Carrick Fergie (Garry Hamilton) and staying-on Time Northern Fast winner Naochra (John Flaherty) in 28.47sec.

Frank Bryce’s Ardera Sam impressed in heat two, racing to a slick 4.32sec sectional on his way to an all-the-way two-length win over Common Canter (Brian Thompson) in 28.22sec, just one spot lower than Crossfield Enzo.

The sixth and final heat went to the Glenn Foot-trained Jacktavern Chief who produced a strong-running performance to account for his rivals.

Fast-starting Cunnigar Yousir (Nathan Hunt) posted a quickest-of-night 4.28sec sectional here but was crowded out as he favoured a rails course, allowing Born Racer (Carol Weatherall) to take it up before the eventual winner emerged on the scene at the third bend and came away for a two-length win over Brindle Bully (David Mullins) in 28.54sec (normal).

Monmore racing manager Tony Williamson said: “Fair play to Richard (Rees) and his team. They always do well here and Saturday was no different across both the Ladbrokes Summer Stayers Classic and Ladbrokes Gold Cup.

“Crossfield Enzo was quickest with a 28.21sec but Frank Bryce’s Ardera Sam was just one spot off that time so, like the Stayers Classic, we’re talking not much between the leading contenders and it’s another wide-open competition I’d say.

“We all remember the pace Droopys Aladdin was showing earlier this year during the (Premier Greyhound Racing) Puppy Derby and it was great to see him run so well for Mike Burton and the family. That dog’s got a real fan club here.

“We’re looking forward to the weekend now.”