DROOPYS FLARE and Mongys Wild are vying for favouritism for Monday’s Premier Greyhound Racing St Leger Final at Nottingham after the former reversed form with the TV Trophy and Golden Jacket champion in a red-hot first semi-final of the stayers’ Classic.

The pair had lowered the track record in the heats a week previously with Mongys Wild holding the new best of 43.82sec for the trip. However, an early lead for Sean Parker’s bitch was this time enough to turn the tables on Mark Wallis’s runner.

The May 2023 daughter of Droopys Sydney and Droopys Dancer, a sister of top Irish tracker Droopys Kathleen, made a bullet break and was soon well clear of her field and never really looked likely to be picked up once Fabulous Heka and Mongys Wild were held up in crowding at the first bend.

Mongys Wild stayed on best for second, two and a half lengths behind the classy 44.18sec (+30) winner, and ahead of third-placed Fabulous Heka – all three are now set to renew rivalry in Monday’s £20,000 decider.

Joining them will be Mongys Wild’s kennelmates Garfiney Blaze and Vhagar who finished first and second in the second semi – the former powering to the front to catch Vhagar on the run for home for a two and a half lengths win in 44.90sec (+30).

Third home and also in the 730m decider is Dave Fradgley’s Kinsley raider Daring Moaner.

Mark Wallis, with three runners in the St Leger final at Nottingham and also Kilmore Dancer in the Arena Racing Company Birmingham Cup Final, is looking forward to a busy week with Proper Heiress also lining up in the semi-finals of the BoyleSports Irish Derby at Shelbourne Park on Saturday.

“I’m not sure you can better what we’ve got in the next few days – apart from winning them, of course!” he said. “It’s busy for sure, but we’ve got runners in three of the biggest races in greyhound racing and it’s why you do it, really.

“They’re all in good shape, although I suppose we’re all particularly proud of how Garfiney Blaze has come back.

“He was off for a good while but is a class act with probably one of the best strike-rates around plus those two Cesarewitch titles and a Ballyregan Bob Memorial win.

“We’ve had to be patient with him but he’s coming to hand really nicely and has got every chance with the others on Monday.”

Trap draw for Monday’s Premier Greyhound Racing St Leger Final: 1 Droopys Flare, 2 Garfiney Blaze, 3 Mongys Wild, 4 Daring Moaner, 5 Fabulous Heka, 6 Vhagar (m).