HIYA BOYO was fastest in the semi-finals of the Ladbrokes Gold Cup at Monmore as the Hayley Keightley-trained runner came through a clash with ante-post favourite and win-machine Bockos Doomie in superb fashion.

Trapping better than his market rival, last year’s Irish Derby Consolation runner-up when known as Droopys Pension was always bossing proceedings thereafter, coming home three-and-a-quarter lengths clear of the always-handy Bockos Boss (Kevin Boon) in 27.91sec, with Bockos Doomie (Patrick Janssens) just missing out on a place in another GBGB Category One final back in third.

Mark Keightley, husband of trainer Hayley, said the victory of the April 2017 son of Quietly and Droopys Maid had boosted the Newark-based kennel during a tough period earlier this year, as he explained:

“We’ve had a horrible campaign until just recently, but in defence of the dogs we suffered endless injuries. It seemed every week we had to endure some kind of sickness or them being off-colour in one way or another.

“A lot of the time it’s not always evident until you run them, but at the moment with the limited numbers left at the kennel all seems to be very well and they’re performing really well.

“That small team is led by Hiya Boyo – ‘Pen’ here at the kennels – who’s running with a lot more panache now. He’s an extremely fast greyhound and, if we could somehow unlock a quicker exit from the traps, I feel he’s really the complete article.

“That said he’s got good early and runs a bend as good as any around – and that, combined with a terrific will-to-win, means he’ll always be a force to be reckoned with. Nevertheless it really is a superb final with plenty of chances.

“We had three brilliant heat winners, all really impressive, with just a length between them on the clock. They are top-class winning times, too, all breaking the 28-second barrier at Monmore which is special – and they’re close on sectionals, too.

“It will be a great final and I wish all connections the best of luck on the night.”

Queen Jessie impressed again in winning her semi-final as the Liz McNair-trained bitch repeated her fluent and fast heat success when breaking in front and always dominating her rivals to lead home Gonzo (Julie Bateson) by four lengths in 27.97sec, with the latter just edging out Waikiki Lad (Ted Soppitt) for a place in the £10,000 decider.

Droopys Addition has his eyes set on another major Monmore prize as last year’s Trafalgar Cup winner won the second semi-final in superb fashion as Ernie Gaskin’s dog was always to the fore and came home four lengths clear of defending champion Seaglass Tiger (Patrick Janssens) in 27.96sec, himself now eyeing a major big-race double at the Wolverhampton venue.

“I think it shows what high quality we have this year in both the Gold Cup and Summer Stayers Classic,” said Monmore racing manager Tony Williamson. “In the Gold Cup we’ve two major winners already here at Monmore and it’s been some achievement from both kennels to get Droopys Addition and Seaglass Tiger back to their best.”