JAGUAR MACIE was quickest as the Ladbrokes Puppy Derby kicked off at Monmore on Tuesday with six heats of the annual competition, for some of the best young prospects, running alongside six heats of the Ladbrokes Winter Derby

The Graham Rankin-trained runner had created a real impression with a fluent and runaway trial stakes win and followed up with a three-length victory in heat three, leading at the first bend from fast-starting Dapper Donnie (Nathan Hunt) and Headford Flash (Kevin Hutton).

Thereafter in control, the April 2019 daughter of Droopys Jet and Droopys Breeze crossed the line three lengths clear of Dapper Donnie in 28.46sec (-40) with local hope Cabra Kai (Paul Sallis) qualifying back in third.

The 480m competition kicked off with victory for Blastoff Mason, trained by Seamus Cahill, who was quickly away on his way to a fastest-of-event 4.35sec sectional and a one-and-three-quarter length victory in 28.63sec (-40) in just his second start.

Bettys Book delighted her trainer Kevin Boon with a strong-running effort in heat four, the June 2019 daughter of Droopys Sydney and Laurel Irene coming through at the fourth bend to lead home Deelish Hero (Seamus Cahill) by just over a length in 28.72sec (-40).

Boon said: “I think a lot of her and she’s definitely one of the best staying bitches around – and will go over a trip eventually. There’s plenty of time for that, though, and hopefully she gets a decent run in the semi-finals.

“She’s a bang railer so might have to drop herself in behind before making a run inside, but that’s two nice wins now – at Nottingham and then Monmore.

“I got her from Richard Spencer, who’s based just outside Thurles,” added Boon. “He’s a nice man, really enthusiastic and we spoke after the heats and the following morning.

“I actually had her sister who I spotted on the videos, but she’s now back with Richard for breeding after damaging a stopper bone – and he sent Bettys Book to me which was a great thing to do. She’s improving with every run.

“It’s a terrific competition, but I’m happy enough with the times she’s clocking which compare well with the Winter Derby winners let alone the Puppy Derby ones, although I’ve got plenty of regard for Graham’s (Rankin) Jaguar Macie. She’s a very nice bitch.”

The other heats were won by Jimmy Fenwick’s Cold As Ice (28.91sec -40), who finished well to strike in heat two; the Tom Heilbron-trained Longrange Dick (29.27sec -40), who came again to win heat five narrowly from Hungry Horace (Paul White), and Angie KIbble’s trap-to-line victor Westway Blake (28.58sec -40).

Monmore racing manager Tony Williamson: “I think we’ve got a cracking field of youngsters this year for the Ladbrokes Puppy Derby – and it looks another great competition.

“You’d have to say Jaguar Macie was most impressive in the heats. He again showed blistering early pace and connections will be hoping she leads again on Saturday.

“From the local challenge it was great to see Paul White’s Hungry Horace make the semis and well done also to Paul Sallis for his two semi-finalists – he certainly has a shout with both Strategic Lenson and Cabra Kai showing great speed.”

Form and draw for Saturday’s semis:- https://assets.cj1.in/imminent-otter/production/assets/results/Monmore/form-guides/saturday-opens-proof.pdf