BOCKOS DOOMIE, recognised as a young talent during the Derby, heads into Sunday’s Henlow Puppy Derby Final with a fastest-of-the-competition 27.32sec under his belt after setting the standard in the weekend’s semi-finals.

Landing the spoils for Patrick Janssens, currently leading the GBGB Trainer of the Year standings, Bockos Doomie raced clear off the second bend to defeat Perrys Choice (Michelle Brown) in the second semi by five lengths in 27.32sec for 460m.

Winning trainer Janssens said of the September 2017 son of Droopys Jet and Dalcash Kalade, who reached the third round of the Derby before exiting the premier Classic behind Dorotas Wildcat, said: “Bockos Doomie is a really exciting young dog.

“His early and middle pace is exceptional and, while his trapping is letting him down at the moment, his determination is phenomenal. He’s a 37kg dog and there’s a lot more to come from him as he matures.”

Looking ahead to the weekend’s final, where Bockos Doomie has trap two, Janssens added: “It’s not ideal but if he can get any sort of run he’s got a chance. That said, it’s a very good final and is certainly more than a two-dog race, which the betting suggests it is.

“He’s come out the race very well and we’re looking forward to the final. Henlow does a great job putting these competitions on and their Sunday afternoon cards are superb. It’s a busy few days for us with finalists at Crayford the night before and Sheffield next week.”

Dean Childs will be doubly handed in the £5,000 decider at Henlow after litter brothers Droopys Cannon and Droopys Code finished first and second in the first semi, the former pulling clear from the third bend to win by six lengths in 27.70sec.

Childs said of his pair: “It’s great to have two in the final and they deserve it. Droopys Code is improving and has a good draw to work from in the final with trap six as the only wide runner – especially with his brother drawn in five!

“He wants a rails draw really, but has run great in the competition – it’s just unfortunate he’s out wide. It’s a massive handicap to him for the final as he’ll look to the rails before thinking of going forward!

“Having said that, he’s the most exciting dog I have trained in a long time and win lose or draw I wouldn’t swap him!,” added Crayford trainer Childs of the September 17 son of Droopys Roddick and former kennel star Droopys Loner.

The second semi-final went to the Phillip Simmonds-trained Dower Product (27.48sec) who, for good measure, also trained the runner-up in Headford Danny who finished three lengths behind his kennelmate

It means, like Childs, Romford handler Simmonds will launch a two-pronged assault on the Puppy Derby Final – won last year by the Kevin Hutton-trained Argentina.

Draw for Sunday’s final: 1 Perrys Choice, 2 Bockos Doomie, 3 Dower Product, 4 Headford Danny, 5 Droopys Cannon, 6 Droopys Code (w).