DROOPYS TRADE lines up as one of four finalists for Patrick Janssens in Sunday’s BresBet Gymcrack Final at Sheffield as the fastest semi-final winner and part of a strong Janssens-trained team across the major events of the weekend ahead.

Droopys Plunge runs for the former champion trainer in the Time Greyhound Nutrition Juvenile Championship at Towcester the same afternoon, so a busy Sunday is in store for the Norfolk-based trainer given Droopys Trade, Romeo Tomcat, Romeo Alliance and litter brother Romeo Ability have made it through to the £17,500-to-the-winner final in South Yorkshire – and he is looking forward to it.

“We’ve got to be in two places at once, but that’s good when you’re talking about such major events and we’re proud to be involved at both Sheffield and Towcester,” said Janssens. “The Juvenile really is an exceptional race and it’s great to be a part of that, while I can’t be more pleased with the way the pups have gone at Sheffield.

“It’s not the easiest track to run when you lack experience but they run it pretty well and we’ve got a big chance, of course, but sport is never predictable and they’ve still got to do it – and then afterwards we’ll think about the future, whether a couple of them might go for the Derby. They’re young, but Tomcat is a June pup for example and might go to Towcester. We’ll see – we won’t make any decision until after Sunday.

“What I’d like to say is thank-you to Sheffield and the sponsors. It’s a really great prize and great for the pups.”

Droopys Trade (10-11F) sealed his place in the Gymcrack final with a fastest semi-final time of 28.76sec (normal) in the first semi. Quickly into stride, the July 2023 son of Droopys Sydney and Droopys Alice was never headed on his way to a two-length victory over kennelmates Romeo Tomcat and Romeo Alliance.

The second semi-final went to another Janssens-trained runner in Romeo Ability (8-15F) who also paced up into the lead early before crossing the line three and three-quarter lengths clear of Elusivenomore (Jimmy Fenwick) and Newinn Deputy (Richie Taberner) in 29.00sec (normal).

Trap draw for Sunday’s final: 1 Romeo Ability, 2 Droopys Trade, 3 Elusivenomore, 4 Romeo Alliance, 5 Romeo Tomcat (m), 6 Newinn Deputy (m).