BUBBLY DAVE made an impressive winning UK debut in the heats of the Ladbrokes Summer Stayers Classic at Monmore as the 630m annual shared centre-stage with the Ladbrokes Gold Cup for a GBGB Category One double-header.

The Paul Young-trained and The Champagne Club-owned runner was formerly known as Lightsaber Puma across the Irish Sea and arrived with a decent reputation which he absolutely lived up to as he edged out Smallmead (John Mullins) in one of the races of the night.

After clocking 37.46sec for the six bends at the Wolverhampton venue to set the standard in the Summer Classic, ‘Bubbly Club’ chairman Steve Fluin explained how delighted he was for the syndicate’s members on the purchase of the December 2017 son of Skywalker Puma.

He said: “We bought him for a decent sum, so for him to get his English racing career off to a winning start at Monmore, coming off the pace to win his heat in a fastest time of the night, was superb for all of us – especially given the background.

“He’s named after Dave Collins, such an important part of the kennel and the club’s physio, who sadly passed away during the Covid lockdown. Therefore it was a great win but an emotional one for many of us to.

“We knew he was a strong dog but to come from off the pace and do the fastest clock was beyond our expectations. We can’t wait for Saturday’s semi-finals now.”

The Summer Stayers Classic had kicked off with another success on the night for Patrick Janssens as his grand campaigner Desperado Dan finished well to deny Jaxx Purple by a head in 38.06sec, before Waltham Magic initiated an Angela Harrison double in heat two.

Harrison would later see the improving Droopys Catch (37.76sec) hold the fast-finishing Aayamza Royale in heat six, having sent out the Angel of the North heroine Waltham Magic to score impressively in 37.52sec. She has stepped up in distance really well.

Beechgrove Bell scored a 12-1 surprise for Crayford trainer Tom Levers in heat three, although there was nothing fortunate about the success as the three-year-old daughter of Tullymurry Act and Forest Bell made all after a slick exit in 37.58sec to lead home Sharpys Rocket (John Sharp) by a length.

Local handler Stuart Buckland struck in heat five as Daddys Prince made all in 37.65sec in a classy heat, coming home ahead of King Dylan (Liz McNair) and Regency champ Zascandil (Kevin Boon) – for a victory which delighted Monmore racing manager Tony Williamson.

He said: “It was great to see Daddys Prince win. Stuart (Buckland) had a real health scare earlier this year, resulting in an operation, and I think all the kennel deserved this win. Daddys Prince ran in the Puppy Derby here, but Stuart always thought he’d make a top stayer.

“He lost his dad Maurice in 2019 so it’d be a great story if Prince could make the Summer Stayers Classic final. He has brought the dog along to perfection.

“Overall we were all very impressed by Bubbly Dave and it was also pleasing to see Waltham Magic run so well to win her heat. She was formerly based here.”

Trap draw for Semi-finals on Saturday 22nd August, live on RPGTV

Semi Final 1:1 BEECHGROVE BELL, 2 ZERO TO FLASH, 3 AAYAMZA ROYALE, 4 BIT VIEW YEATS (M), 5 WESTFORTH HUGO (M), 6 KINGSBROOK GLYN (W)

Semi Final 2: 1 SMALLMEAD, 2 DESPERADO DAN, 3 DROOPYS CATCH (M), 4 JAXX PURPLE (M), 5 ZASCANDIL (W), 6 WALTHAM MAGIC (W)

Semi Final 3: 1 DADDYS PRINCE, 2 KING DYLAN, 3 BUBBLY DAVE (M), 4 SEANS MOLLY (M), 5 SHARPYS ROCKET (W), 6 DISTANT MOVE (W)