ROXHOLME GLORY won the re-run semi-final of the Gain Greyhound Nutrition 3 Steps To Victory at Sheffield on Thursday afternoon to give trainer Hayley Keightley a third finalist in next week’s six-bend £10,000 decider at the Owlerton venue.

Tuesday’s no-race in the first semi-final of the 500m contests for the tri-distance competition (480m, 500m and 660m) saw a re-run take place before Thursday’s afternoon card at Sheffield – and set up another win for Roxholme Glory at the track.

Unbeaten in seven starts at Sheffield, last year’s Derby semi-finalist broke well enough and used the inside draw to lead at the first bend and draw clear to win by one and a quarter lengths from Stuart Buckland’s Daddys Prince in 28.80sec.

Derby entry Roxholme Glory’s kennelmate and new track record holder Roxholme Kristof, another Nottingham entry, had won the second semi-final on Tuesday.

Having set a new best for 480m, he now powered to the front approaching the third bend and raced clear thereafter to win by almost six lengths in an impressive 28.43sec for the 500m ahead of Barrie Draper’s local Clever Airmount.

Easy On won the third semi-final as the Gavin Holman-trained runner broke well from the midfield, edged towards the inside but was always in command as he crossed the line four and a half lengths clear ahead of another Keightley runner Ballydoyle Bee in 28.77sec.

Fielding half the field in Tuesday’s final, a happy Mark Keightley, husband of trainer Hayley, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have made the final with all three participants and, in fairness, all of them have made it on merit. As drawn, all have their chance to perform.

“Bee is very new to the kennel and, in all honesty, we cannot be expecting her just yet to be fully settled. She seems very well in herself but in another couple of weeks I’d expect her to be fully in the ‘Roxholme’ way!

“Glory is just a gentleman and the ultimate pro. Give him a chance and expect him to grab it with both front and back paws! He absolutely thrives on race conditions and there’s no doubt in my mind he can find more when necessary.

“Kristof is without doubt the most exciting young dog we’ve had for many a year. He took an age to settle with us and even now is very apprehensive with strangers, but luckily he’s not afraid to win – that’s two out of two and decent margins, too.

“He looks to have a fantastic racing brain. He’s a great tracker and relentless galloper, so should he maintain the ability to break well his career looks bright. He won’t be a dog that’s going to be able to lay up with the very best early paced dogs over four bends, but they won’t want him breathing down their necks from the three-quarter mark.

“Once again it’s a fabulous performance by HK and Craig to ready all three dogs to perform at their best and, whatever happens on Tuesday, safe and sound please.”

Dave Perry, Sheffield’s venue director said: “Well done to all the connections for making the Gain Greyhound Nutrition 3 Steps To Victory Final – it’s a unique event in the calendar with its three different distances, so certainly takes some winning.

“Of course our thoughts are all with Angela Harrison and Jimmy Wright, and the dog’s owners, after what proved to be fatal injury for Droopys Catch. It was a freak accident and something which is felt by us all. We pass on our very best to all concerned.

“Thank-you to the trainers of those greyhounds in the re-run. There’s never a huge amount of time to arrange such contests, but the trainers cooperated fully and we have another brilliant ‘3 Steps’ final here on Tuesday.

“Hayley (Keightley) has done a fantastic job with her three runners and I couldn’t help but notice one of them is a son of Ballymac Eske, who was a brilliant and record-breaking 3 Steps winner for Barrie Draper and his team a few years back.

“Well done also to Barrie once again for qualifying a finalist in Clever Airmount and to Gavin Holman with Easy On. Gavin has enjoyed success here in the past with his News At Six a regular visitor. Well done also to Stuart Buckland with his very consistent Daddys Prince also in the final.

“We’re looking forward to a great card on Tuesday given we also have the final of The Brinkleys Poet At Stud Young Guns, a brand new event for pups sponsored by Nic Jeal. That looks a final full of young quality and is sure to unearth a star or three.

“And, of course, we thank Gain Greyhound Nutrition for their continued backing of the 3 Steps To Victory. Without their support throughout, this competition would not be on.”

Trap draw for Tuesday’s Gain Greyhound Nutrition 3 Steps To Victory Final: 1 Ballydoyle Bee, 2 Roxholme Glory, 3 Clever Airmount, 4 Easy On, 5 Daddys Prince, 6 Roxholme Kristof (m).