GISLEBERTUS (pictured below) will line up in his second Category One final – and his young trainer’s third – after clocking the fastest semi-final time at the last-12 stage of the Ladbrokes.com Guys & Dolls at Crayford on Saturday.

Trained by local handler Belinda Green for a team of owners including Martin Chapman, Sam Dunn and Jason Gander of Derby sponsors Star Sports bookmakers, the two-year-old son of Superior Product was quickly away and made all in the ‘Guys’ semi for a very fast 23.04sec (+20) victory over Magical Houdini.

A delighted trainer said afterwards: “Bert came out of the BresMed Northern Sprint in fine form but because he’d been on the go for a while we decided to give him a well-deserved rest and bring him back for the Guys & Dolls.

“Judging how he’s gone now he’s clearly fit again and would say rather enjoyed putting his feet up! He’s back to winning ways at what seems to be his favourite track – in one of my favourite competitions. We can now look forward to Saturday’s final.”

On that, Green, who sent our Cleaning Doctor to finish a close-up second in last year’s Kent St Leger Final, added: “We couldn’t have asked for a better draw. He should get a lovely run to the bend so he can use that amazing early pace that he is blessed with. We’re all very excited to be in a second Cat One with him this year.

“We’re obviously hoping for the best and I’d just want to say a massive thank-you to his wonderful owners – Martin, Sam, Jason and Brian Moloney, a longtime owner with us, who have been such a pleasure to work alongside. They love watching Bert run and give the kennel great support.”

Seaglass Shadow, the sole railer in her semi, took the ‘Dolls’ race in front-running style – to provide Magical Houdini’s trainer Patrick Janssens with a second runner in Saturday’s £7,500-to-the-winner decider at the Kent venue.

Hitting the bend in front, the April 17 whelp raced away to win by four lengths from Skip Mayo (Gemma Davidson) in 23.39sec (+20) for the 380m and lines up as the youngest of the final sextet, a race Crayford racing manager Danny Rayment is looking forward to.

He said: “This year’s Guys & Dolls looks a cracking race on paper after Saturday’s semi-finals.

“Gislebertus is something of a star here at Crayford and he stole the show when turning the tables on old adversary Magical Houdini but I thought Patrick’s dog kept on well after an early bump and may have got closer finish had he not gone outside ‘Bert’ off the last bend. Fernhill Rex (Lee Field) stayed on well for the other qualifying spot here.

“The Dolls semi was always a difficult watch on paper with five wides in the race but thankfully there was minimal buffeting between the seeded runners, nothing major, although enough to allow the only unseeded runner Seaglass Shadow to race clear and win comfortably.

“It means the Janssens team will have a strong hand in their attempt to retain the title star sprinter Kilmore Lemon landed for them last August.

“It was good to see Slippy Genie qualify for Dave Puddy – she’s run some great races here at Crayford – while it’s a welcome back to one of our former trainers in Gemma (Davidson) who qualified a Crayford sales purchase in Skip Mayo.

“The betting suggests another close battle between Houdini and Bert, but really none of their rivals can be ruled out. All have definite claims if the race is run to suit them. Roll on Saturday night!”

*Trap draw for Saturday’s £7,500 Guys & Dolls Final: 1 Magical Houdini, 2 Fernhill Rex, 3 Seaglass Shadow, 4 Gislebertus (m), 5 Sleepy Genie (w), 6 Skip Mayo (w).