LEMMING CAESAR maintained his superb form since joining local trainer Michael O’Donnell when setting the fastest time of three semi-finals of the tri-distance Gain Greyhound Nutrition 3 Steps To Victory at Sheffield on Tuesday.

Run over 500m after 480m heats and ahead of next week’s 660m final, the May 2019 son of Droopys Sydney and Lemming Boleyn made all in the third semi-final to lead home the Carol Weatherall-trained Candy Man in 28.52sec.

Victory by four and three-quarter lengths maintained an unbeaten record for the two-year-old since he joined O’Donnell, with a sprint D3 success followed by open-race wins over 500m and then 480m and 500m in the 3 Steps.

The Nigel Saunders-trained Maximum Security won the first semi-final, also in all-the-way fashion as he crossed the line a length ahead of the always-prominent Anynamewilldo (Tom Heilbron). The winning time was 28.73sec.

However there was disappointment for connections of the winner after he was subsequently withdrawn from Tuesday’s final.

The second semi-final saw Candy Man’s litter brother Nipsey Hustle (Holdem Spy-Wont Fall Behind, March 2019) dominate proceedings to give the Weatherall camp a second finalist in Tuesday’s £10,000 decider as he scored by two and a quarter lengths from the staying-on Savana Eruption (Diane Henry) in 28.55sec.

Joe Conneely, RPGTV analyst and kennelhand at Weatherall’s Rugby kennels, said of Nipsey Hustle: “He’s been a really consistent dog for the kennel this lad. He never runs a bad race and deserves a Category One success after reaching the final of the Grand Prix at Sunderland and the George Ing St Leger at Yarmouth.

“He couldn’t have done anymore in the heats when leading but was caught by the very strong Bombardier, but in the semis led and wouldn’t be for catching. He’s got good four-bend speed but will stay the 660m at Sheffield well enough if he gets a chance to show his pace.

“We’re hopeful of a break from him and, if so, he’d give himself a chance of winning.”

Of Candy Man, Conneely added: “There were always doubts whether he would stay as he’s got so much raw speed over four bends, but looking through the Calendar there wasn’t anything else to go for apart from a smaller event at Towcester over 500m.

“He ran really well in the heats over 480m which was his first race back since May. In the semis he was beaten by a good winner in Lemming Caesar, but still managed to qualify which was great.

“He’s got a nice draw to work from being the sole wide runner and should lead Savana Eruption if coming away. You’d think to win he needs to get clear and hopefully hold on, but whatever happens on Tuesday it’s nice to have the dog back and there are plenty of options going forward between now and the end of the year.

“I’d say overall it’s a brilliant achievement from the kennel to get two litter-brothers through to the final as well and good luck to all connections of the other finalists, and best wishes to Maximum Security for a quick recovery.”

Trap draw for Tuesday’s final: 1 Lemming Caesar, 2 Anynamewilldo, 3 Vacant, 4 Nipsey Hustle, 5 Savana Eruption (m), 6 Candy Man (w).

Results: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=376929&raceId=770222