BROOKSIDE RICHIE proved the star of the show as the rescheduled Ladbrokes Gold Cup heats took place at Monmore on Tuesday.

Moved from Saturday along with the Ladbrokes Summer Stayers Classic heats after the Wolverhampton venue cancelled racing because of the heatwave, it was the Jimmy Fenwick-trained star who comfortably set the fastest time of the six heats.

Lining up in heat four, last year’s Towcester Juvenile Classic and Romford Puppy Cup winner was quickly away on his way to a 4.27sec sectional and an impressive two-and-a-quarter length success over the Liz McNair-trained Havana Class in a fast 28.14sec.

In winning, the October 2019 son of Droopys Sydney and Droopys Greatest reversed form of their previous clash a week earlier. Sussex Cup winner Ninja Kerry (Belinda Green) qualified in third here – in what was a hot heat of the 480m annual.

Next quickest was the Angela Harrison-trained Move Over Cha.

Having just his fourth race, the August 2020 son of Gaytime Hawk and Move Over Eliza made all to score by just over two lengths from Bambis Magic (Richard Rees) and Aussie Captain (Patrick Janssens) in 28.35sec.

The other heats were won by George Cunningham’s Narcos The Great (28.64sec), Tom Heilbron’s Innfield Trojan (28.46sec), Sharon Thompson’s Master Ten Ten (28.42sec) and the Kevin Hutton-trained Droopys Samantha (28.45sec).

Monmore racing manager Craig Gardiner said: “We had six high quality heats for the Ladbrokes Gold Cup.

“The shock of the first round was the exit of the competition favourite Signet Ace. He had been in scintillating form here at Monmore, winning his last four races, but with a trap three draw to contend with on Tuesday it just didn’t work out for him.

“He was moderately away by his standards and just met a wall of dogs in front of him at the first bend and didn’t get a run.

“The most impressive heat winner was Brookside Richie who got the better of Havana Class this time, posting the quickest time of the first round.

“However it’s going to be interesting in the semi- finals as both dogs have drawn traps away from the rail – both are in trap four – which I think evens it up and gives the other dogs drawn against them a real chance.

“It would be rude of me not to mention Master Ten Ten from the Sharon Thompson kennel. He seems to like this place and has now won his last four races here. He’s in fantastic form and just shows a great attitude and knows how to win.

“The very best of luck to all the semi-finalists in both events – and roll on Saturday night.”

Draw and form for Saturday’s semi-finals: https://assets.cj1.in/imminent-otter/production/assets/results/Monmore/form-guides/Saturday-20th-Aug-Advance-Card.pdf

Results: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=388167&raceId=865218