DRIVE ON LAD is clearly enjoying the winning habit after repeating his success in the first round proper with another fine victory in the second semi-final of the KAB Maiden Derby at Towcester – securing his place in this Sunday’s £10,000 final.

The Richard Rees-trained runner, who belatedly opened his account seven days previously, again paced up well to contest the lead and, riding a bump at the turn, set the tempo up front and always helped the advantage before holding the finish of Longacres Pele (Pat Doocey) by half a length, with Hopes Woofwoof (Jason Heath) making this weekend’s 500m final in third.

The winning time was 29.60sec (-20), which was the faster of the two semi-final winners, and delighted Charlie Rees, son and assistant of the winning trainer, who said back-to-back wins for the November 2020 son of Pat C Sabbath and Drive On Robyn vindicated the kennel’s belief that it was just a matter of time before this longstanding maiden got his head in front.

“It took him some 20 races, but you could hardly say he ran poor races – he was always there or thereabouts and it was surely just a matter of time, albeit some time!” said Rees jnr. “You just sense the penny has dropped now and he’s running out of his skin.

“If he comes away he has a massive chance in the final, but he’s in the three-box and has got to clear the inside pair and get to the rail. It’s a great final and, given his draw which isn’t a great one on paper, I’m not sure how he’s favourite but if he runs his race and holds his form he’d have every chance.

“Either way it’s great for the kennel to be involved in another major final.”

Longacres Nutty struck in the first semi-final for Pat Doocey to give the Monmore handler two chances in Sunday’s 500m decider given kennelmate Longacres Pele would later follow Drive On Lad home in the second semi.

A slick start for the January 2021 daughter of Ballymac Bolger and Clear Mountain set up a first-bend lead set for the youngster who then had to withstand a challenge from Crossfield Cora (Mark Wallis) before crossing the line a neck clear of that rival, with Garryvoe Rocky back in third. The winning time was 29.65sec (-20).

Results: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=396020&raceId=930010

Trap draw for Sunday’s KAB Maiden Derby Final: 1 Longacres Nutty, 2 Longacres Pele, 3 Drive On Lad, 4 Crossfield Cora (m), 5 Hopes Woofwoof (w), 6 Garryvoe Rocky (w).