BEECHGROVE BELL roared into her second successive Jay & Kay Coach Tours Kent St Leger Final with a fastest-of-the-night performance in the first semi-final of the 714m annual at Crayford on Saturday.

As expected by her handler after a recent break, the Tom Levers-trained local improved on her first-round effort last week when trapping well and pacing up to lead into the first bend and was never headed thereafter.

Keeping up the tempo, the June 2017 daughter of Tullymurry Act and Forest Bell crossed the line four and a half lengths clear of recent Sheffield 3 Steps finalist Ballydoyle Bee (Hayley Keightley), clocking 45.17sec for the eight bends.

There was another local success in the second semi-final as Millbank Marcela completed a good night for her trainer Jim Daly when powering into the lead approaching the final turn to win by almost four lengths from Droopys Bird (Simon Harms) in 45.88sec.

Daly was at Nottingham overseeing the kennel’s flag bearer Blue Tick George’s Derby campaign – he finished second and lines up in the quarter-finals next week – so was understandably delighted to hear the news from Crayford.

“I managed to watch the race at Nottingham and was delighted to see her come through to win – and with Kicking King later making it to the Rose Bowl final there plus George qualifying for the Derby quarter-finals meant a good night’s work for us.

“Millbank Marcela was purchased off George Hickey in Ireland, although she was born and bred at the Droopys Stud. Normally we’d buy direct from the Dunphys but on this occasion we had a group looking for a staying type for Crayford and Marcela looked right for them.

“She took a while to master the tighter turns at Crayford, finishing fifth and sixth in a couple of A6s over 380m. However, she was crying out for further and has done well since stepping up to 540m and 714m.

“I think she’s still a little one-paced at 714m and could get true marathon trips next year.

“She’s by far the youngest in the line-up next week, having only just turned two and, although she has a bit to find on the clock, time is on her side in terms of improvement for future marathon competitions.

“Of course we’d love to see her trap out next week and make them go but looking forward she’s a lovely bitch to have and not yet the finished article at marathon distances. Her owners will enjoy the night and are happy she’s competing in a top-class event.

“Next Saturday is my 51st birthday so I’m hoping either Millbank Marcela, Kicking King or Blue Tick George can give me a nice surprise!”

Micks Little Gem continued her love affair with Crayford as the Boxing Day Marathon champion produced a power-packed performance to win heat three.

Always handy after a snappy exit, Michelle Brown’s bitch asserted at the fifth bend and went away to win by seven lengths in 45.70sec.

A winner at the Kent track over 1,048m also, her trainer Michelle Brown continues to be thrilled by the July 2017 daughter of Superior Product and Mays Maska who recently ran-up to Aayamza Royale in a thrilling Cesarewitch final at Romford.

“She’s a real superstar,” said Brown. “Winning against top dogs over the 714m trip is fantastic given it’s short of her best. She’s got great form at Crayford over the marathon and maxi-marathon trips there and really loves the track.

“We didn’t expect to reach the Kent St Leger final. It was really to prepare her for the Dorando again at Nottingham – and there was a 874m at Crayford on final night so, again, thought that’d be perfect.

“However, to make the final we’re over the moon. She’s absolutely bouncing, so we’re really looking forward to it.”

Final Trap Draw:

1. Droopys Bird  2. Ballydoyle Bee  3. Beechgrove Bell  4. Ballymac Zoro  5. Millbank Marcela  6. Micks Little Gem