UNION REBEL heads into Thursday’s semi-finals of the 78th BGBF Two-Year-Old British Bred Produce Stakes at Swindon having posted the fastest time in last week’s second round on what proved another good night in the British-bred showcase for Kevin Hutton.

Hutton is eyeing a second success in the longstanding event – first staged at Bristol in 1946 – after Signet Denver two years ago and will have no less than six semi-finalists in the 476m event. For good measure he landed a double in the second round with Union Rebel’s success following up an earlier strike from Coppice Ella.

Lining up in heat two of the Category One annual having set the fastest time in the event in the first round, BGBF British Bred Oaks champion Coppice Ella produced a typically strong-running effort to turn a handy position early into success after grabbing fast-starting kennelmate Southfield Poppy rounding the last two bends for a neck success over that rival and Romeo Jackson (Tom Heilbron) in 28.45sec (-30).

The Hutton double was completed in all-the-way fashion in heat four by Union Rebel who broke smartly, paced up, and always led for a three-quarters of a length success from the keeping-on Romeo Crusade (Tom Heilbron) and the latter’s littermate and Romeo Cypher (Tom Heilbron) in 28.34sec (-30).

Phil Milner’s Keefil Goose impressed from off the pace in heat one as the July 2022 son of Droopys Addition came through powerfully to catch Dreamin Reggie (Kevin Hutton) before going away for a three-length success in 28.47sec (-30), with local hope Rock It Rambo (Peter Swadden) qualifying in third.

Coffee Time Guys later struck for Heather Dimmock in heat three, producing a last-to-first performance to reel in longtime leader Coppice Ronnie (Kevin Hutton) for a length success, with the latter’s kennelmate Southfield Petal making it through to Thursday’s semi-finals.

Liz Mort, chair of the British Greyhound Breeders Forum (BGBF), said: “Fair play to Kevin (Hutton) and his team for another fantastic night – six semi-finalists is some good and, I suppose, had the draw been different, there was a chance to have done what they did at Oxford by qualifying all the finalists. They could still have a good few, however!

“Well done to all our second round winners and semi-final qualifiers on what is a busy week for us at the British Greyhound Breeders Forum (BGBF). September was always going to be busy month for us and for trainers and owners of British breds.

“We’ve got the Produce semis on Thursday, of course, but then on Saturday the BGBF St Leger starts at Doncaster for all-aged British-bred runners over 661m. It’s a Category Two for 24 dogs and bitches and is part of the Cat Two series we have funded by SIS – an ongoing sponsorship programme which enables us to run more competitions.

“Entries close at noon on Wednesday (September 11), with the heats on Saturday (September 14) and the final on Saturday, September 28 for an event which supports the Yorkshire Derby there. It all promises some good racing ahead.”

Trap draw for Thursday’s 78th BGBF Two-Year-Old British Bred Produce Stakes semi-finals:-

First semi: 1 Romeo Cypher, 2 Keefil Goose, 3 Southfield Poppy, 4 Coppice Ronnie (m), 5 Romeo Jackson (m), 6 Rock It Rambo (m).

Second semi: 1 Coffee Time Guys, 2 Romeo Crusade, 3 Dreamin Reggie (m), 4 Union Rebel (m), 5 Southfield Petal (m), 6 Coppice Ella (w).