PATRICK JANSSENS heads into Monday’s semi-finals of the BGBF British Breeders Stakes at Nottingham with a huge hand after winning three of the four heats – and numerically dominating the two semi-finals of the Category One competition.

However, it is Angie Kibble’s Eagles Respect who lines up in the semis as the fastest heat winner after his defeat of hotpot Romeo Tomcat in the fourth and final heat over 500m, the pair having a cracking battle but the Produce Stakes champion always holding sway for a one and a half lengths victory in 29.24sec (+30).

The success delighted winning owner Jonathan Miles, who also saw his Malcolm Bosh, a litter brother of Eagles Respect, run well himself when chasing home Romeo Empire in the heat before.

Miles said: “We were absolutely delighted the way both dogs ran on Monday.

“Credit again to Angie (Kibble) and the team. Finn (Eagles Respect) ran a stormer to hold off Romeo Tomcat who will definitely improve for the run after a lay-off and is a very worthy favourite for the competition, but it was still a really nice win for us all.

“And it was great to see Malcolm run well after his fall at Monmore, for which he was none the worse for.

“Monday will be tough for him as he’ll have several stayers in front of him so may require some luck just to qualify, although he does love a chase-up so we’re very hopeful!

“Eagles Respect has a tough draw outside Romeo Ability, who has better pace to the corner, but we’d be more than happy to follow him round and qualify. Good luck to all the runners – they look two good semi-finals.”

The event had started with victory for Fabulous Heka who kick-started a Patrick Janssens treble in heat one as the stayer hit the front at the bend before running amok to win by five and a three-quarter lengths from Zappa (Carol Weatherall) in 29.63sec (+30).

Romeo Ability then overcame a moderate exit before pacing up into the bend to justify long odds-on favouritism in heat two, pulling clear by three and three-quarter lengths to win from Tre Cool (Carol Weatherall), Zappa’s litter brother, in 29.34sec (+30).

The Janssens heat hat-trick was landed by the strong-running Romeo Empire in heat three who reeled in longtime leader Aurora Dawn (Gwyneth Rees) before stretching out to cross the line four lengths clear of Malcolm Bosh (Angie Kibble) in 29.26sec (+30).

Aurora Dawn has since been withdrawn from Monday’s semis.

Trap draw for Monday’s semi-finals:

First semi: 1 Tre Cool, 2 Zappa, 3 Romeo Force, 4 Romeo Empire, 5 Malcolm Bosh (m), 6 Romeo Tomcat (m).

Second semi: 1 Romeo Ability, 2 Eagles Respect, 3 Fabulous Heka, 4 Vacant, 5 Aslan (m), 6 Platinum Record (m).