COOLAVANNY BANI roared into Saturday’s Ladbrokes Summer Stayers Classic Final with a fastest-of-the-night six-bend success in the first semi-final of the 630m annual at Monmore on Saturday.

On a night when Newcastle-trained trackers enjoyed success in both the Summer Stayers Classic and Ladbrokes Gold Cup – with kennelmate Droopys Dazzler a winner in the four-bend feature – it was Angela Harrison’s versatile May 2018 daughter of Droopys Sydney and Toms Delight who starred over the longer trip.

Pacing up well in the face of a strong early challenge from both Ivy Hill Skyhigh (Mark Wallis) and Nipsey Hustle (Carol Weatherall), Coolavanny Bani crucially made the turn in front and was soon in full flow as she raced away for a five-length success from Ivy Hill Skyhigh, posting 37.76sec to set the standard in the £7,500 event.

Kevin Hutton’s improving Magical Firebird struck in the second semi as the two-year-old daughter of Good News and Magical Zeta landed a trap-to-line success, racing to a fast 12.54sec sectional on her way to a 37.85sec victory over Fatboyz Exile, the latter narrowly edging out Guiri Steve (Chris Fereday) to give Mark Wallis another Summer Stayers Classic finalist.

Two finalists then became three for Imperial Kennels as Blueberry Bullet chased home an impressive Warzone Tom (37.87sec) in the third semi-final. In winning by three and a half lengths in another smart time, Liz McNair’s runner continued his unbeaten record over six bends having won at Central Park prior to a trio of successes at the Wolverhampton venue.

Tony Williamson, racing manager at Monmore, said: “We had another superb night’s racing here on Saturday and all the team are looking forward to next weekend.

“Having the two major Category Ones together works well and the supporting competitions add variety – so thanks to all the trainers who entered runners – especially those who have qualified for the Ladbrokes Summer Stayers Classic and Ladbrokes Gold Cup. No doubt they’ll be looking at the other opens we have on Saturday looking to bring a team here!

“Well done to Mark (Wallis) and his team. They seem to be on a roll at the moment. We watched them qualify three runners into the Sussex Cup final at Hove and then win both comps on the night. They certainly look in a strong position in the stayers final, but we’ve a strong challenge from the Newcastle trainers, too.

“It’s been great to have the crowds here and all we’d ask of people is to make sure they book spaces. Saturday promises to be a cracking night all-round so join us if you can, but if not then SIS and RPGTV will be bringing the action into betting shops and people’s homes.”

Trap draw for Saturday’s £7,500 final: 1 Fatboyz Exile, 2 Blueberry Bullet, 3 Ivy Hill Skyhigh, 4 Coolavanny Bani, 5 Warzone Tom (m), 6 Magical Firebird (m).