ANTIGUA FIRE roared into next weekend’s Ladbrokes Golden Jacket Final with a powerhouse performance to land the first semi-final of the £17,500-to-the-winner Category One showpiece at Crayford on Saturday.

Continuing champion trainer Mark Wallis’s fantastic Golden Jacket after three heat winners the previous week, last year’s Kent St Leger winner over C&D was soon handy behind Sizzling Diva (Belinda Green), hitting the front at the fifth turn when the latter sadly broke down.

Racing clear, Antigua Fire finished five and a half lengths clear of Sheldan (Kevin Boon) in recording 45.02sec (normal) for the 714m trip – and was later joined by kennelmates Ayamza Express and Avastorm, both second in their semi-finals, to give Wallis half the field in the matinee feature next weekend.

The Patrick Janssens-trained Skilful Sandie made all in the second semi-final as she crossed the line six a half lengths clear of Aayamza Express in 45.30sec (normal), confirming herself a major player in the decider as the youngest finalist.

“That was more like it, an excellent run,” said winning trainer Janssens. “We’ve always thought the world of her, remember she reached the St Leger Final last year only to be knocked over. But she’s won some nice races at Hove and Romford since and has stayed on really well today. Win or lose in the final, we’ll aim her next at the Regency.”

Roxholme Poppy cheered the Hayley Keightley kennel when landing the third semi-final, pacing up into the turn and riding a bump with Desperado Dan before hitting the front. The Yarmouth St Leger winner eventually crossed the line two lengths clear of the running-on Avastorm in 45.24sec.

Mark Keightley, husband of the winning trainer, said he was delighted with the performance of Roxholme Poppy and reported that another of the kennel’s stars Roxholme Glory was comfortable ahead of an operation on an injury sustained at Romford the previous night.

“I suppose it’s typical of the highs and lows you get in the game. Poppy produced her very best performance for us to reach what is a top-class Golden Jacket final after last night’s hugely disappointing and saddening injury to ‘Big Bazza’ (Roxholme Glory).

“It’s important you pick yourself up as best you can and ensure the other dogs get your best possible attention and everyone involved with Poppy is delighted with her performance and it will be full steam ahead now for Hayley and the team to prepare for hopefully a repeat performance.”

Danny Rayment, Crayford racing manager, is delighted with Saturday’s Ladbrokes Golden Jacket Final line-up.

“It’s star-studded,” he said. “A fantastic final with a host of Category One champions – Sheldan, Aayamza Express, Roxholme Poppy and Antigua Fire – and Avastorm and Skiful Sandie both St Leger finalists. We really couldn’t have asked for anything better.

“Unfortunately we had to cancel Saturday night’s meeting after damage to the traps caused by Storm Denis, but hopefully the weather relents soon and we’ll be okay for Tuesday’s meeting.

“We’re building up to another great Ladbrokes Golden Jacket Final morning here at Crayford and look forward to welcoming the connections of the finalists for a champagne breakfast. As always we have a few surprises for them planned and will produce a special racecard for the Golden Jacket as ever.”

Rayment reminds owners and trainers that entries for the supporting opens to the Ladbrokes Golden Jacket and Peter Bussey Memorial Trophy finals will close on Tuesday. The card includes a 1048m maxi-marathon – worth £1,048 to the winner – a seniors’ contest, as well as the 540m Chief Ramsbottom Hurdle.